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Creating Your Own Molds for More Molding Fun
Molding is a fun
hobby. You can make different figures to use as home décor if you
have several molds: or possibly earn extra income from this hobby if
you show your work to your family or friends.
Molding different figures
is interesting. A separate mold(s) is needed for each figure that
you would like to make: this may be too costly if you buy these
molds from craft stores so why not try to make your own molds to add
to the excitement of this craft?
When you make your own molds, you must use the proper materials and
equipment. There are different molding compounds that can be used to
make a mold. You can try one first, then the other. Once you’ve seen
which one produces the best results, then decide what components you
want to use.
Latex compound
This compound can be found in most craft stores or model railroad
shops. A pint of this compound costs about $10. Cleanup can be done
with water and not a lot of the compound is needed to make figures
such as statues.
The disadvantage of this compound is the time it takes to create the
mold. Allow 2 or more days to create a mold because each layer (or
coat) needs to be dried completely before applying the next coat. At
least 4 coats are needed to complete a mold and drying time between
coats takes at least 4 hours.
Silicone RTV compound
The silicone RTV (room temperature vulcanizing) compound for mold
making might be the best material to use in making molds. No mold
release is needed for this compound because it does not stick to
anything except itself. This molding compound is very strong and can
handle hot materials.
Silicone
Almost all plastic products around us are molded using silicones.
Each silicone product has its own unique properties and can be used
only for a defined purpose. A silicone for a certain type of mold
may not be applicable to another. There are a number of reputable
places that sell user-friendly silicones such as Micromark,
Smooth-on, GE Silicones, Douglas and Sturgess, Inc., and Cherokee
Accessories.
How to make the mold
Once you may have chosen a material to use, it’s time to make the
mold. Before starting, make sure that you all of the tools needed to
ensure a smooth process in making the mold. You will need a stiff
bristled paint brush, paint thinner, soap and water, hard (stiff)
boxes or Lego pieces, Plexiglas, and clay: the boxes or Lego pieces
are needed to hold or steady the mold.
The first thing you have to do is mix the silicone material, (some
are pre-mixed), depending on the type of silicone used until the
desired consistency is achieved. One you have the compound ready,
use the stiff bristled brush to paint your model with the mixture.
Make certain that there no air bubbles around the mold and the
silicone covers the mold entirely. Once the object has been
completely painted, wash the brush with paint thinner.
Place the painted object inside the box – or a box you created using
Lego pieces. Use a piece of Plexiglas in the bottom of the box where
the object will be standing. Put clay all around the bottom edges of
the box to seal the container
After placing the object inside the box and ensuring that the bottom
edges are sealed, you can now pour the remaining compound into the
box until it completely fills the box. The next step is to let the
mold cure. For silicone compound, curing time may be as short as 4
hours; but curing overnight is preferred.
Once cured and completely dry, you can now remove the pieces of the
box (by carefully cutting the boxes corners) or Legos and remove the
object from the mold. Voila! You now have a newly crafted mold!
Isn’t it easy to do?
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