Chavant Clayette Soft is a professional low-hardness clay, off-white in colour, formulated without sulphur compounds. It is the reference choice for sculptors, model makers and special effects professionals who need a soft material, easy to work by hand and fully compatible with platinum silicones without any risk of inhibition. Indefinitely reusable, it does not dry out or oxidise.
Technical specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|
| Brand | Chavant |
| Reference | Clayette Soft (Low Hardness) |
| Format | 906 g block |
| Colour | Off-white / Beige |
| Hardness | Low (Soft) |
| Base | Wax and mineral oils |
| Sulphur content | Sulphur-free |
| Toxicity | Non-toxic |
| Odour | No appreciable odour |
| Working temperature | Room temperature (can be slightly warmed) |
| Reusable | Yes — accepts repeated heating and cooling cycles |
| Oxidises | No |
What it is used for
Clayette Soft is designed for direct modelling on projects where a very soft material is needed — comfortable to work with fingers and basic tools, capable of capturing smooth surfaces and organic curves effortlessly. Its sulphur-free formulation makes it essential when the model will serve as the basis for taking a mould with platinum silicone: it does not inhibit curing under any circumstances.
- Figurative sculpture: heads, busts, full-body figures
- Industrial design models and prototypes
- Special effects, prosthetics and character work for film and television
- Educational modelling in Fine Arts and vocational training
- Master models for subsequent Mold Making with platinum silicone
- Prototyping of jewellery and goldsmithing pieces
- Restoration and creation of decorative elements
- Large-volume pieces where minimal handling effort is required
How to use it
- Prepare the material: at room temperature, Clayette Soft is already workable. If the environment is cold or you want an even softer material, warm the block for a few minutes with a hot air dryer or in a warm area of the workshop.
- Build the base volume: break the block into portions and add mass to create the general shape of the sculpture. Press and compact well to eliminate internal air bubbles.
- Refine the shape: work with spatulas, loop tools and scribers to define planes and volumes. The material responds well to the gentle heat of your finger to blend joints between blocks.
- Add details: with fine-tipped tools you can engrave textures, lines and details. You can apply a little localised heat to smooth areas or increase detail.
- Check the surface cleanliness: before moulding, make sure the surface is free of dust and contaminants. Applying a Release agent is not necessary for platinum silicones, but it is recommended for other systems.
- Mold making: apply the platinum silicone directly onto the finished model. Clayette Soft, containing no sulphur, will not inhibit the curing of the silicone.
- Recover leftover material: once demoulded, collect the clay remnants, melt them slightly with gentle heat and reuse them. It does not degrade through repeated thermal cycles.
Usage tips
Working temperature and texture
The "Soft" hardness is designed to work comfortably at room temperature. However, in cold workshops (below 18 °C) the material may feel somewhat stiffer. A brief burst of gentle heat from a dryer — never exceeding 60–70 °C at the surface — brings it back to its optimal state. If, on the contrary, the workshop is very warm, store unused blocks in a cool place to maintain consistency.
Differences between Chavant hardnesses
The Chavant range has three hardnesses: Soft, Medium and Hard. The Soft is ideal for large volumes, organic modelling and extended finger work. The Medium offers a balance between malleability and detail retention. The Hard is designed for fine details and surfaces requiring high sharpness. Many sculptors combine Soft for the structure and Hard for the details.
Compatibility with silicones and other moulding systems
Being sulphur-free, Clayette Soft is fully compatible with platinum (addition-cure) silicones: it does not inhibit curing at any point of contact. You should bear in mind that if you mix clays from other brands containing sulphur in the same project, or if you use cyanoacrylate adhesives or freshly cured epoxy resins near the model, these can inhibit platinum silicone. Always work with sulphur-free materials from start to finish.
Frequently asked questions
Can a modelling clay be used directly with platinum silicone without risk?
It depends on the clay's formulation. Conventional clays usually contain sulphur, which inhibits the curing of platinum silicones. Chavant Clayette Soft is formulated without sulphur compounds, so it is fully compatible with platinum silicones: you can apply the silicone directly onto the model without any risk of inhibition.
What is the difference between a soft and a hard clay for professional modelling?
Hardness determines the effort required to model and the level of detail the material retains. A soft clay like Clayette Soft is ideal for building volumes quickly, working large pieces and sculpting organic shapes with your fingers. A higher hardness, such as Chavant Hard, allows you to engrave very fine details that the material holds with precision without distorting. Many professionals use both in the same project.
How much material is needed to model a life-size head?
A life-size head typically requires between 2 and 4 kg of clay, depending on wall thickness and whether you are working over an internal Armature or solid. With several blocks of Clayette Soft (906 g each) you can calculate the quantity based on your project's volume. If you include the neck and part of the bust, allow for 5–6 kg.
Can professional clay be reused after moulding?
Yes. Clayette Soft is fully reusable. Once the silicone mould has been demoulded, collect the clay, melt it slightly with gentle heat and work it again. It does not degrade, does not permanently harden and does not lose its properties through heating and cooling cycles.
What happens if the clay accidentally mixes with other materials in the workshop?
Clayette Soft does not adhere to clean surfaces and does not react with common workshop materials. The greatest risk is cross-contamination: if residues from sulphur-containing clays, latex or reactive resins enter the Chavant block, you could indirectly contaminate the model. Work with clean tools and keep blocks covered when not in use.
Does it need a Release agent before applying silicone?
For platinum silicones applied over Clayette Soft, a Release agent is generally not necessary: the silicone cures correctly and demoulds without problems. For other moulding systems (polyurethane resins, plaster, polyester) it is recommended to apply a thin layer of Release agent over the model before pouring the material.
Can the sculpture modelled in clay be painted or finished?
Clayette Soft allows water- or alcohol-based paints to be applied directly to evaluate the model's appearance, although the base surface remains the clay. For a definitive finish, the standard approach is to obtain the silicone mould and cast the final piece in resin, latex or foam, where permanent finishes can be applied.
What materials best complement a sulphur-free clay in a special effects project?
For a complete FX workflow: model with Clayette Soft, take the mould with a flexible platinum silicone, and cast the final piece in platinum foam or silicone rubber for prosthetics. If you need structural reinforcements or model corrections, epoxy filler is a useful complement for rigid areas.
