How to make latex molds

  

Making latex molds is probably easier and cheaper than making RTV silicon molds, and also a good way to start.

You should pay a visit to Rob Sorrels site, whose tips and knowledge about this matter were essential for me:

Welcome to Rob's Homepage!

And why should I waste my time doing molds, make resin cast copies and all this???

May be you would like to make copies of those cool pouches you have made using sculpy,modify a head (making a bald head, adding a moustache or beard), making some extra equipment for your platoons, etc... resin casting offers you a wide variety of possibilities and it is another way to have fun with your hobby.

Ooops, the legal thing. You can copy whatever you want, what is mostly forbidden (check your country regulation about this) is that you sell a copy of something that is copyright or patent protected.

As long as you keep them for yourself or share with your friends (whenever the word $ is not present), no problem (at least that is how it works in Spain)

Of course, you can do whatever you want with copies made from your own sculpt.

Getting started.

Some materials you will need :

latex, specifically liquid latex mainly available at any good fine arts shop.

protection, (disposable gloves, goggles, face mask. DO USE THEM)

disposable brushes

tooth picks or similar.

a piece of cardboard

glue

baby powder.

... And for God's sake! don't you ever try to do this on that mahogany dinner table your mother in law gave you as wedding present! Tragic consequences are expected if you are such a nut person to do that

 

Where to get the material:

In Madrid. SPAIN.

Drogueria Shangai. C/ Hortaleza 25. Liquid latex

Feroca. C/Espaņoleto 11. Resin and RTV silycon

In USA (Info supplied by Lloyd Woodrum)

http://www.alumilite.com/

http://www.smooth-on.com/

http://www.crystaltower.com/aceresin/

http://www.sculpt.com/

Sample, making a head mold

Latex is not a dangerous chemical product but avoid smelling it. Always use protection for your eyes, nose and hands.

Work in a well ventilated area, and if possible in a table as close as possible to a window.

What I am showing here, is just the way I do this. There are other ways to work with latex, you will find out your own way sooner or latex.

and last but not least, do this at your own risk.

You should glue the base of the head to a piece or cardboard, or small plastic sheet. DON'T use superglue. A simple contact or universal glue will do, it won't leave marks or dirt in your head base

Now comes the 'be patient' step. You should 'paint' the head with latex.

10 to 15 coats are recommended to give the latex mold, thickness enough to work with.

For this purpose, you can either use a cheap/disposable brush or just submerge the entire head including the base in latex.

I prefer this last option. Your experience will tell you which method is better for you or even find out a better way to do it!

use a toothpick or something similar to remove the small air bubbles.

Do this when latex is still liquid and fresh.

Removing ALL this air bubbles is very important specially on the first coats. If you don't, you will know why it is so important when you get the first resin copy...

Red arrows shows typical places where usually small airbubbles appear

allow the latex dry between each coat. Usually 30 minutes between coat and coat.

We have given 14 latex coats to this head. Time has come to remove it!

First remove the cardboard or plastic sheet base. Also remove all the dry glue still attached to the head neck base

Apply baby powder generously to all the latex surface.

Be sure to spread the powder to ALL the surface using a brush.

Here too

As you are peeling off the mold, pour some baby powder to the inside part too.

When you have removed the entire head, put the mold upside down to eliminate the excess of baby powder from inside.

And here we got it!, a head mold ready to work with!!,

the original head (notice that latex hasn't damaged the original paint nor left marks),

and the first copy!

Latex molds don't last forever. Sometimes you can get 3 or 4 copies or 10/12.

 

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