.

[sb.tnh]

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[redhotchiligochu]

Instructors like that are just power tripping sadists. “Sexiness” of white plaster has no bearing as long as your MIP/CR, Hanau angle, etc. are accurate.

To make it more “presentable” I run hot water while the plaster is 75% set, hard enough that your mounting won’t fall off, but still soft enough that you can use sandpaper with little to no effort. The key is to smooth the plaster while it is still soft enough

 

[cooliyak]

Today my pre-clinical instructor pissed me off. He made me remount my casts (with plaster) several times because mine are not "pretty" enough. The mounting is 100% accurate, the plaster is just not smooth no matter how many pieces of sand paper I use. I understand that it should be at least presentable, which mine is. It's just not perfectly smooth. How important is that seriously? Any tips for mounting prettier casts (spend more time sanding it)? Thank you!

I agree. It is a bunch of crap. When my professor would say things like that, I would just get it re-checked by a different professor. Eventually one of them will let it slide since it was, indeed, accurate.
Some of my classmates would use floor wax/polish to make it look better. I never bothered to try since my preferred method (as described above) usually worked. I do not miss the days of pre-clinic.

 

[deleted659902]

Today my pre-clinical instructor pissed me off. He made me remount my casts (with plaster) several times because mine are not "pretty" enough. The mounting is 100% accurate, the plaster is just not smooth no matter how many pieces of sand paper I use. I understand that it should be at least presentable, which mine is. It's just not perfectly smooth. How important is that seriously? Any tips for mounting prettier casts (spend more time sanding it)? Thank you!

Figure out a way to get your instructor to like you.

 

[PhansterZ]

To make yours silky smooth, do it in 2 steps.
First step, I would mount it the right way with 1 bag of plaster, with nothing covering the edges of the mounting plastic or the edge of your cast.
Once that's dry and you know the mount is correct, then mix up another bag of plaster and this time just fill in the deficient areas on the sides. Once it's about to set, but yet very soft, I would dip my hand in water and shape the plaster to my liking. I get silky smooth, beautiful mounts every time. Never had to sand anything.

 

[deleted923283]

Just like @PhansterZ said above. Set the cast first with a minimum amount of mounting stone. Then, remove the cast with the articulator attachment and mix some mounting stone with less water than usual, let it set out a bit until it's not runny and beginning to thicken like clay. Then paint the thickened mixture using your finger in the remaining spaces by a sink with the water running. You can wet and wash your finger as you form the stone, wiping over the stone, it will become smooth and you can clean it easily away from anywhere it shouldn't be. Always add less rather than more - it's easy to mix another batch quick and add to the places you need - much more difficult to sand away extra bulk.

TLDR: The secret is running water and a thickened mixture.

 

[Faux]

To make yours silky smooth, do it in 2 steps.
First step, I would mount it the right way with 1 bag of plaster, with nothing covering the edges of the mounting plastic or the edge of your cast.
Once that's dry and you know the mount is correct, then mix up another bag of plaster and this time just fill in the deficient areas on the sides. Once it's about to set, but yet very soft, I would dip my hand in water and shape the plaster to my liking. I get silky smooth, beautiful mounts every time. Never had to sand anything.

e - it's easy to mix another batch quick and add to the places you need - much more difficult to sand away extra bulk.

I do this but in one step, for better or worse. And Vaseline the borders.