Post by fordrodnkustom on Mar 5, 2015 12:27:49 GMT -6
I needed these old Caddy valve covers from the heads of this old glue bomb engine I had for a build. I couldn't separate them so I just cut the heads off and sanded the material down to recover the set.
After getting the valve covers ready to install I remembered that these were the only pair I had so I decided to make a mold of them for future use.
I started by using white glue to secure them to a piece of index card.
While I was at it, my original built up Blue Beetle arrived so I thought it would be a good idea to mold those heads too.
I built up a mold box with Lego blocks, again glued to the card with white glue with the book to hold it all in place until the glue set
Time to pour rubber, I like this stuff. I follow the instructions to the letter.
Time to pour some resin. I like this Micro Mark stuff. Again, following the instructions to the letter.
Mixed 1:1 and poured into mold
After about 45 minutes, it turns white when cured
And popped out of the mold. Just need a little clean up and they're ready for prime, paint and Alclad!
Post by fordrodnkustom on Mar 9, 2015 17:21:51 GMT -6
I use a little extra material to prevent what is illustrated here in some of my earlier efforts. Perhaps overcompensating a little but as you said "to each his own" and that's my own.
I use a little extra material to prevent what is illustrated here in some of my earlier efforts. Perhaps overcompensating a little but as you said "to each his own" and that's my own.
WOW... I never seen molds do this! I'm not here to tell you your business, but I've made over 300 molds with Alumilite RTV Silicone, and never once have I had a mold warp like that. What you do is your business, but you might want to consider another brand.
Post by fordrodnkustom on Mar 10, 2015 17:44:28 GMT -6
Thanks for your advice, As I've said above... I have solved this potential problem for me by adding a little extra material to my molds. It's all good and it works for me. As you can see by the colors they are all different brands. I am happy with the one I use now. BTW I don't do this as a business at all, just to make a few parts for myself or from time to give some away to friends. I posted this just to encourage any other modeler to do the same by showing just how easy it really is. Thanks again.
Last Edit: Mar 10, 2015 17:49:42 GMT -6 by fordrodnkustom
Nice work! Those turned out great. I'm going to try this one day. FYI, if any of you guys get to looking for these parts check one of the 3n1 re-issues of the 59 El Camino. Not sure if they are exact but pretty close. Thanks again Ron!
Micro-Mark resin is simply repackaged resin made most likely by Smooth-On. I get all my resin molding supplies (RTV rubber, resin, mold release agent and dyes) from either www.smooth-on.com directly or from www.alumilite.com . Each brand is similar, but different enough to be used for some specific task. bare-metal.com/ also sells casting resin and rubber mold material.
Micro-Mark resin is simply repackaged resin made most likely by Smooth-On. I get all my resin molding supplies (RTV rubber, resin, mold release agent and dyes) from either www.smooth-on.com directly or from www.alumilite.com . Each brand is similar, but different enough to be used for some specific task. bare-metal.com/ also sells casting resin and rubber mold material.
Thanks. I like the 1:1 mixing ratio of the products I choose. Price is comparable.
Post by fordrodnkustom on Nov 27, 2016 15:57:58 GMT -6
So to add to my valve cover post...I was working on a build where I had the tail light bezels but no lenses. This was an old long out of production kit.
I picked up some 30 minute epoxy and red Alumilite resin dye.
I mixed it all together and flowed the mix into the bezels with a toothpick. I was happy with the result.
I also tried making lenses from a mold. Here I used clear jewelry resin and then red tinted resin. Would probably work just as well if not better with the epoxy mix.
Nice tutorial and some good info Ron ! I've dabbled a little in making a few parts with mixed results but am ready to get more serious and try it again . Just a couple of questions for you or anyone else with experience in casting : What's the shelf life of the silicone and resins you use ? I'm thinking the sizes available would probably go bad before I use even half of it ! And where can I find the Clear casting resin ? It looks like something that Michaels might have .
BOB .[br][br]https://car-toons.proboards.com/[br][br]https://public.fotki.com/TooOld/[br][br]
Nice tutorial and some good info Ron ! I've dabbled a little in making a few parts with mixed results but am ready to get more serious and try it again . Just a couple of questions for you or anyone else with experience in casting : What's the shelf life of the silicone and resins you use ? I'm thinking the sizes available would probably go bad before I use even half of it ! And where can I find the Clear casting resin ? It looks like something that Michaels might have .
Thanks Bob. Yes, shelf life can be an issue. I try to be very careful cleaning caps and such and making sure they are good and tight when I put them up. I have a Micro Mark set that I bought 1/15 and it is still good. It's also very important that you do not cross contaminate the A & B parts when stirring, mixing etc. It can and does happen! I found a Alumilite starter kit at Hobby Lobby that has 4 0z. containers of the resin and catalyst and a small tub of rubber and it's catalyst. This needs to be mixed with a ratio correctly rather than the easier(for me anyway) 1:1 rubber out there. Yes, you are right, I picked up the clear craft resin at Micheals on a discount coupon. Good luck and give it a try!
-I myself this year (2016) have molded a bout 100 molds from Alumilite 3 silicone, and have YET to see a silicon mold warp, bend, lay as seen in the pics posted! Those same molds have pour'd something to the tune of 500 pieces EACH, and have yet to have a flaw made by the mold itself!
I have to say in the 20 plus years I been molding, I must say from the different types I've used Alumilite is the best to date that I have found!
This is such a great tutorial - and those tail lights look so good! I can see resin casting taking a lifetime to really MASTER, but doing some simple parts is totally in everyone's reach! If you can mix up two liquids you can definitely make SOMETHING!
This is such a great tutorial - and those tail lights look so good! I can see resin casting taking a lifetime to really MASTER, but doing some simple parts is totally in everyone's reach! If you can mix up two liquids you can definitely make SOMETHING!