M
Melbee
Guest
UPDATE!! Since I wrote this post I have discovered that using White Spirit to thin the Silicone will make the Molds shrink more. So beware of using it unless the shrinkage is not important or you make the plastic castings immediately after casting the mold and therefore before it has had time to shrink.
Hi Peeps,
I wasn't sure where to put this because it's a kind of side track but I am making re-designed Airbrush Side-Cup plastic proto-types so it's definitely airbrush related.
Anyway, I've had a couple of Mold Max 30 mold making kits sitting around for a few years. One partly used and the other new. The Part A (silicone) was unporable, infact it was rubbery but I wasn't surprised because it was open and had sat for a long while. I WAS surprised to find the 2nd still sealed new kit silicone was the same rubbery consistancy. I know they have a shelf life but I wasn't going to give up on €40 worth of kit without a fight
So after dredging the internet I came up with White Spirit (not Turps they are made different) and I found cheap White Spirit/Turps (yeah I know but is has the right ingredients) in a supermarket and which has Hydrocarbons in it. Also Artists White Spirit which has Mineral Oil which is also supposed to be good. OK I could buy Silicone Thinner but the Mold Making Shop is a very long bike ride away.
First I put 20% White Spirit in the Old silicone and started to mix, it was majorly lumpy but it did start to come back. After a long mix and using the back of a spoon on the tub sides to get rid of the lumps it was looking amazingly good but not pourable. So I then added another 10% but this time of Artists White Spirit and boy what a difference that made. After a lot more mixing I added the hardner and poured the first half of my 2 part mold. I know adding this stuff will weaken the silicone and probably extend the curing time but I'm not bothered. The kits would probably have gone in the bin so I had nothing to lose.
Anyway I thought I'd let you know there is a cheaper, more accessable option to rejuvinating your Mold Making Silicone as I'm sure you were all dying to know
I'll let you know tomorrow how the molds come out but they seem to be curing ok so far I have to wait an see It's very exciting and I have no patience so the wait is killing ME!! And then I have to do the same for the other half before I can start pouring the plastic!! And THEN I'll find out I've been wasting my time
Hi Peeps,
I wasn't sure where to put this because it's a kind of side track but I am making re-designed Airbrush Side-Cup plastic proto-types so it's definitely airbrush related.
Anyway, I've had a couple of Mold Max 30 mold making kits sitting around for a few years. One partly used and the other new. The Part A (silicone) was unporable, infact it was rubbery but I wasn't surprised because it was open and had sat for a long while. I WAS surprised to find the 2nd still sealed new kit silicone was the same rubbery consistancy. I know they have a shelf life but I wasn't going to give up on €40 worth of kit without a fight
So after dredging the internet I came up with White Spirit (not Turps they are made different) and I found cheap White Spirit/Turps (yeah I know but is has the right ingredients) in a supermarket and which has Hydrocarbons in it. Also Artists White Spirit which has Mineral Oil which is also supposed to be good. OK I could buy Silicone Thinner but the Mold Making Shop is a very long bike ride away.
First I put 20% White Spirit in the Old silicone and started to mix, it was majorly lumpy but it did start to come back. After a long mix and using the back of a spoon on the tub sides to get rid of the lumps it was looking amazingly good but not pourable. So I then added another 10% but this time of Artists White Spirit and boy what a difference that made. After a lot more mixing I added the hardner and poured the first half of my 2 part mold. I know adding this stuff will weaken the silicone and probably extend the curing time but I'm not bothered. The kits would probably have gone in the bin so I had nothing to lose.
Anyway I thought I'd let you know there is a cheaper, more accessable option to rejuvinating your Mold Making Silicone as I'm sure you were all dying to know
I'll let you know tomorrow how the molds come out but they seem to be curing ok so far I have to wait an see It's very exciting and I have no patience so the wait is killing ME!! And then I have to do the same for the other half before I can start pouring the plastic!! And THEN I'll find out I've been wasting my time
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