Method of treatment for plaster articles to improve wear and water resistance and article of manufacture

A method for producing a wear resistant and water repellent cast gypsum article comprising the steps of

• forming a slurry of calcined gypsum and water,
• placing said slurry into a mold,
• allowing said slurry to set and form a cast gypsum article,
• removing said cast article from said mold,
• heating said cast article to remove free water,
• applying a thin coat of substantially molten Candelilla wax onto an exterior surface of said article in an amount no less than about 0.020 pounds per square foot (0.010 grams per square centimeter),
• maintaining said wax at a temperature of no less than about 155.degree. F. (68.degree. C.) for a sufficient period of time to allow said wax to substantially fill exterior pores and irregularities of said exterior surface while avoiding degradation of the set plaster, and
• cooling said article to solidify the wax.

A method for producing a wear resistant and water repellent gypsum board comprising the steps of

• forming a slurry of calcined gypsum and water,
• shaping a board therefrom having two opposite exterior faces,
• allowing said board to set,
• heating the board to a sufficiently high temperature to remove free water therefrom,
• applying a thin coat of substantially molten Candelilla wax onto at least one exterior face of said board in an amount no less than about 0.020 pounds per square foot (0.010 grams per square centimeter),
• maintaining said wax at a temperature of no less than about 155.degree. F. (68.degree. C.) for a sufficient period of time to allow said wax to substantially fill exterior pores and irregularities of said exterior face while avoiding degradation of the set plaster, and
• cooling said board to solidify the wax.