| In order to give you some idea of the process | | | | the mold. Let it sit to cure for a couple of |
| involved in making a rubber or latex mold, | | | | days. This is the test run for this mold and |
| here is a quick rundown.Part 1 - The easy | | | | case so you want the concrete extra hard when |
| part, decide what it is you want to copy or | | | | you do your first de-mold.Part 5 - Unbolt the |
| make your mold of and get one.Part 2 - This | | | | case and take out your casting. Carefully |
| is the long part. It could take 5 or 6 days | | | | take the rubber mold off the casting. If you |
| if you are only able to paint a couple of | | | | are a skilled mold maker it should be right |
| times a day. You cover your original - lets | | | | the first time!! If not you need to look at |
| say it is a frog - with release agent. You | | | | any problem areas and decide what you can do |
| may not always have to do this. Some | | | | to correct them.Now you can see why the |
| plastics and resins do not need it. | | | | rubber or latex molds cost so much and why |
| | | | they take a couple of weeks or more to |
| Now paint the frog with the rubber paint. | | | | make.The building time can be shortened by |
| Let it sit untill it is almost dry - you can | | | | using fast drying silicone based rubber, it |
| put your finger on it and no paint sticks to | | | | is a little more expensive but.... Plaster |
| your finger. Paint it again and again. Do | | | | can be used instead of fiberglass if the mold |
| this until you have built up a thickness of | | | | is not going to be used a lot. This is |
| about 3/16" or so. You can judge this by | | | | cheaper but not nearly as good as |
| painting a piece of wood or something every | | | | fiberglass.My thought is that for a person to |
| time you apply a coat to the frog. Look at | | | | start into the casting business the best way |
| the wood to see how thick your test paint | | | | is to start with a few plastic molds - no |
| is.Part 3 - After the paint has dried for 2 | | | | fiberglass backing needed - do a few pours |
| or 3 days you can start to make the support | | | | and see if you want to keep at it. If you |
| for the rubber mold. If you can picture the | | | | decide you do, then as your skills increase, |
| mold as a rubber glove, when you fill the | | | | start to think about investing in a simple |
| glove with water it will stretch. You have | | | | latex mold. You may be able to find a used |
| to stop the stretch. Most of the time this | | | | one in good shape. Try it and see if you |
| is done with a fiberglass case or backing | | | | want to do that type of casting.The results |
| that you will make to go over the mold. You | | | | are great once you have mastered the process |
| may have to make this case in 2-3-4-5 or more | | | | but it is not a cheap or easy thing to do as |
| pieces that will bolt together. This is so | | | | a novice.Copyright 2005 Delmar GermynAuthor - |
| you can take the case off easily. If there | | | | Del Germyn Web site web site is setup to |
| are a lot of undercuts in your frog then | | | | help you and I learn more about molds and |
| chances are your case will be several pieces. | | | | casting in general.YOU WILL FIND....Articles |
| | | | on how to mix your concrete, hypertufa, etc |
| You can avoid having a lot of pieces by | | | | for different uses.Free information on how to |
| filling undercuts on the outside of your frog | | | | make your own molds. Tips and hints on their |
| before you start to make the case. This | | | | use and care.Free information on making and |
| means more time painting on the rubber paint. | | | | using various types of molds to cast |
| This is a good thing because the fewer | | | | concrete, plaster, cement, |
| pieces in the case the easier it is to use. | | | | |
| | | | ceramics, and molding with |
| When you make your case it has to have a | | | | hypertufa.Suggestions for projects that you |
| good big base, it will be holding the rubber | | | | can do in a couple of hours that will make |
| mold upright when you fill it with concrete. | | | | your yard / garden look great.All the |
| You don't want it to fall over just when you | | | | information on the site is free to use and |
| get to the top!Part 4 - Take the rubber off | | | | share.Click here to go to my site now. am |
| the original. Be careful! It will be | | | | hoping that when you see what I have (or have |
| inside-out. Now you can sprinkle a little | | | | not) set out you will send in your tips and |
| talc on it and turn it inside-in. Put it | | | | stories.By sharing we can all learn from each |
| into the fiberglass case you made, bolt or | | | | other. We can also help newcomers to the |
| clamp the case closed, invert the case so | | | | hobby / business.The site will be constantly |
| that it is sitting on that big base we where | | | | added to as time passes, so please click for |
| talking about. Mix your concrete and fill | | | | updates. |