rubber mold for silicone tail?

[Froth]

has anyone tried it? when (and if) I start making a silicone tail I would probably try the foam technique (as I don't have the time or patience to sculpt individual scales) and I want a mold I can recast from a lot if I make mistakes. has anyone tried dense rubber/rubber cement anything like that? will silicone cure against it?

any insight would be greatly appreciated!

[Triton-Mahtlinnie]

I believe most rubbers will cause cure inhibition in silicone and it won't cure properly.

[Mermaid Wesley]

Ask the smoothon reps!


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[Winged Mermaid]

Yes, any rubber or latex products even being in the same room can cause silicone not to cure right. People on here have even had issues with silicone not curing properly becuase they were using a vinyl table cover on the table their molds were set on. So sadly, to my knowledge, using a rubber mold isn't an option :/

[Theobromine]

As long as you're not thinking specifically of natural rubber (latex), urethane (a synthetic rubber) works great.

[Froth]

urethane? I think that's what I was thinking of…that weird brownish stuff, still fairly stiff when cured?

[Theobromine]

That's the stuff. Looks like a chunk of caramel almost. I've been using it for molds and it works fantastically well. Having a flexible mold is great. It flexes and peels away well from the sculpt, you don't have to worry about undercuts, and you can trim it easily.

[Theobromine]

And actually you can even use silicone as a mold for silicone, as long as you use mold release to keep them from bonding.

[Froth]

Urethane seems like an excellent alternative, where do you order yours from?

[Theobromine]

This is the stuff I bought: http://www.tapplastics.com/product/mold_making_materials/mold_making_supplies/tap_urethane_rtv_mold_making_system/63 There's a store not far from where I live so I was able to buy it in person. I bought the smallest amount they have just to play with and I liked it, so that's what I'm using for my full silicone tail. I've tested it with the TAP Plastics platinum silicone and it works fine, so I am presuming it will also work with Dragonskin, since it's the same things just a different brand. I am going to do a small test with my Dragonskin just to make sure, though.

[Froth]

that's awesome, I look forward to an update so I can try it myself!

[Theobromine]

I posted this in my tailmaking thread, but here's a picture of a mold I just made of some kelp for a top:

26218

That's right after I pulled it, no mold release and didn't have to clean the mold at all, just peeled it right up. I'm kind of in love with this stuff.

[PearlieMae]

I love urethane resins! I want to buy kelp fronds from you! Let me know when you are ready to sell!

Did you sculpt that or cast it from real kelp?

[Theobromine]

I'll let you know once I've finished my first top! I'm nervous about selling stuff but excited that people like what I make! <3

I sculpted the kelp! The sculpt is still all in one piece, I can take a pic of it if you want. But not right now, I have a cat on me.

[Theobromine]

Actually, if you just want to buy the kelp strands to do your own stuff with, that would be easy. I'm just nervous about making tops for other people cuz I have enough trouble sizing things on myself :P

[PearlieMae]

I know the 'cat on me' conundrum!

I would love to buy the kelp strands! I should have been more specific! Once you figure out how much, let me know! (I know you'll have to price out the silicone you use/time to make/etc.)

Thanks so much!

(PS: Yes, I only know how to use exclamation points!)

[Theobromine]

Awesome, I will let you know! PS, Happy New Year everyone!

[MermaidBrandie]

This is useful information to know.....


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