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