Question about resin molding

[djhirokun]

I am currently getting into resin making but have no idea how to change the colour? I read some where once that nail polish could be used as colour but I don't want to waste any resin if it doesn't work. Can someone please help me out?

[zirconmermaid]

NO!! don't use nail polish - it's a really bad idea! You can get resin dye, and it is actually very cheap. OK, first, what are you planning to mold the resin in? As in what are you making the mold out of. Several of us do resin casting and can help you out on this. Second, what are you casting with the resin? Third, what resin are you using (this is important for some answers)? Most importantly - you MUST wear a respirator when casting resin. In liquid form the resin is toxic once you mix the two parts together and before it hardens. Failure to wear the respirator WILL cause brain damage. You do want to keep your short term memory, don't you?

Basically, when you start working with resin you are dealing with chemical reactions. The reason you don't want to use nail polish is that acetone will change the resin properties - Don't use it on dolls either!

[kiki-chan78]

Listen to Zirc. She KNOWS what she's talking about. Her husband is the one that makes the ZM Kitty ears sold in Junkyspot.

Make sure to have a GOOD mask. Not one of the dinky little paper things. We're talking the kind of respirators that have the canisters. Depending on your casting equipment, you also might want ear-protection as well. Gloves are also important. I have a box of disposable gloves on hand and can go through several pairs during one casting session.

When casting, make sure that you don't accidentally spill it on your hands while pouring it into the mold. Since resin has an exothermic chemical reaction... well, all I can say is that it frikkin HURTS!!! What was even worse, I couldn't take the time to remove my gloves, because I was pouring a mold and didn't want it to set up while changing gloves. Ouchies!!!

Also, it's a given, you're gonna waste resin.

You're starting out. Expect to screw up. If you have someone around that actually knows what they are doing... listen to them. Still, expect to screw up. Also, expect the screw up to be expensive. I'm not joking.

When given a chance, buy the larger container of resin. At least in Alumilite's case, I tend to get the 2 gallon jugs instead of the 28oz ones. For the white resin, the 2 gal container comes out to 44 cents per oz, vs 1.28 an oz when bought in 28oz size. (Tan alumilite is .36 per oz vs 1.07 per oz.)

--------------------

For changing resin's color, decide whether you want the color to go all the way through the piece, or if you just want a topical effect. Resin dye will color the entire piece in one color. There are also some powders that can be brushed onto the silicon mold to color the uppermost layer of resin.

Dyes aren't much more than around $5 per color. Metallic powders (to be brushed on the mold) are around $9.

<3

-Kiki-chan78.

[djhirokun]

Wow, thanks for the tips. I was just planning on doing this on my patio. I remember seeing some Youtube videos that said the resin is very strong in odor. I first have to make molding which I'm making a two piece mold from Amaco M Mix-A-Mold. Never tried it before but it was all that Hobby Lobby had at the moment. I am trying to make a Monster High torso. Has anyone used this molding product before? The resin I bought is Easy Cast by Castin' Craft. It says on the box that it is low odor and good for small projects. Did I buy good projects or should I go get my money back? No one I know knows how to do this so I am just relying on the internet for help.

[kiki-chan78]

I haven't used the amaco stuff. The silicon I use for molding sets up over a period of several hours (if the weather is cold, can take up to days). Wish I could tell you what brand I use, but, when I order it from the supply company, I just ask for more silicon.

Not sure how legal it is to copy a monster high torso. o.O;;;

Also have never used the Easy Cast stuff either. Not even sure if I can get it in my area.

Here's the websites for Alumilite and Smooth-On. Both companies produce molding silicon and casting resin. They also have tutorials on how to use their products. The tutorials will indicate which products were used to achieve the effects.

<3

-Kiki-chan78.

[DollyKim]

I have an Alumalite mini casting kit to try out, haven't figured out exactly what I want to make but I'm getting an idea. Definitely be ready to fail, I've messed with mold making and plaster casting and have yet to make something I would deem "fully successful". I have grasped the idea, made molds made positives, and made big old messes.

Now something like a Monster torso, which if you are making for your own they don't have enough in the CAM sets purposes, I'd guess follow their mold lines. My concern would be that there are bits inside that would make the sockets work, a sort of skeleton the two parts of the torso snap over so you'll have to plug up the hips and shoulders to keep the body hollow. Good thing is there aren't many details or undercuts to worry about.

[zirconmermaid]

Gerald is going to be working on a mold for the MH torso too - same reason! You should be ok with the low odor if you just wear the nitrile gloves and use a respirator outside. Like dollykim said, plug some of the holes or you will never get all the mold compound out of the original torso. Were you planning to do a two piece mold?

OK, now I know what you are doing, I suggest dying the piece afterwards! Resin is really easy to dye using Rit dye. I have boiled dolls on my stove and it is really fun to see them come out in color like Easter Eggs!

[kiki-chan78]

Since you are going to be casting with pressure or degassing... when you make the mold, make sure the neck is pointed *down*. That way, the air bubbles will rise to the top and not be as visible on her posterior. The other amusing thing this does, is when you miscast, you can 'save' the piece by turning it into a bust-stand to hold extra heads and keep them out on display.

<3

-Kiki-chan78.

[hlbmlp]

hey, sorry to jump in, but i have some questions too.
My uncle is a dentist and hooked me up with some of the silicone they use when making casts of teeth... has anyone used this? I'm not sure how to use it... (only been used on) I'm assuming it's the same idea....
another question, I found some Kleen Klay at a thrifty and it's reallllyy oily... like crazy. Is this bad? and will it affect any newer clay i add ontop, or into it?
Also, I am priming my paperclay doll with car primer, should i coat the inside and outside reeaaaalllly good, so she doesnt melt, and do i need to prime polymer clay? I've done alot of research, but have found differing "opinions", so i was just curious... ^__^
thanks! <3

[ChelseaWhiteArt]

hey, sorry to jump in, but i have some questions too.
My uncle is a dentist and hooked me up with some of the silicone they use when making casts of teeth... has anyone used this? I'm not sure how to use it... (only been used on) I'm assuming it's the same idea....
another question, I found some Kleen Klay at a thrifty and it's reallllyy oily... like crazy. Is this bad? and will it affect any newer clay i add ontop, or into it?
Also, I am priming my paperclay doll with car primer, should i coat the inside and outside reeaaaalllly good, so she doesnt melt, and do i need to prime polymer clay? I've done alot of research, but have found differing "opinions", so i was just curious... ^__^
thanks! <3

I have worked with a few really oily clays, what I have done to help that is take a good sized hunk of it... rolled into a half inch thick noodle and wrapped it in white construction paper to absorb some of the oil, if you over do it though it cant become really dry and hard to work with. Otherwise I can't really give you any answers about casting as I have only just started considering it myself. I have also been keeping an eye on this thread because I'll be ordering casting supplies within the week.