Artificial All The Way Posted March 25, 2008 Report Share Posted March 25, 2008 What do you use for sealing POP molds? I did 3 coats of a stain sealer and it came off on the plastic when I removed it from the mold. What are my options for sealers? Thanks Jay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nova Posted March 25, 2008 Report Share Posted March 25, 2008 I use epoxy thinned with alcohol. I thin the first coat quite a bit to allow it to soak into the pop. Then the next coat is a little less thin and the third is a little thicker than the last. I cure it in the oven at about 200 for 30 minutes in between coats. When you're done you should have a glassy hard finish. I have tried Elmers glue but it didn't give me the finish I wanted. www.novalures.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Artificial All The Way Posted March 25, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 25, 2008 Thanks Nova Is poly urethane an options? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nova Posted March 25, 2008 Report Share Posted March 25, 2008 No; you want something that will take the heat and not give color transfer. www.novalures.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willy Posted March 25, 2008 Report Share Posted March 25, 2008 Hey Nova, I tried that technique and lost a lot of detail when I used the epoxy. Did I not thin it down enough? I have sence used watered down elmers glue and after maybe 3 coats it seals pretty well, but I am attracted to the durability of the epoxy. Thanks, Willy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nova Posted March 26, 2008 Report Share Posted March 26, 2008 Willy, you have to thin it down quite a bit. As far as loosing detail goes, it will happen to the finer details like scale patterns if you don't score them a little more with a neddle-like tool before you start to seal. If you make your mold out of resin you will get good detail recovery. The downside to resin is the cost compared to pop and if you pour a lot of baits out of it at one time the mold will heat up, and can warp a little. Also, the higher heat will cause the smell of the resin to pass to your baits. I guess everything is half a dozen of one and six of the other.lol www.novalures.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willy Posted March 26, 2008 Report Share Posted March 26, 2008 Nova, Good idea, score the detail parts, as it was exactly scale patterns that I was losing on my POP molds. For the new moldmakers out there, I've tried a lot of other things like nail polish(enamel), stain sealer, engine paint, etc. Everything seemed to either peel off or bleed color/smell into the plastic eventually. I've used the Elmers and water mix for a while, and it works, but it isn't very tough, it can be chipped, scratched, or gouged. The Epoxy works like a charm, but Nova is correct, really thin it down and do a few coats. For what it's worth. Willy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassgrabber Posted March 26, 2008 Report Share Posted March 26, 2008 I have been using a spar urethane spray (Hellmans) and I have had no issues. It holds up to the heat just fine. After the POP cures I apply 10 thin coats and the baits come out very glossy. After a 100 or so pours you will need to spray another thin coat and let it set up for 24 hours. I use a very small artist brush to spread the product into the mold evenly. The jig trailers that I am making have all the details as the original master and each bait comes out great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nova Posted March 27, 2008 Report Share Posted March 27, 2008 Like I said before; I use epoxy because it's the best I've found. I have molds that have had thousands of baits through them with no issues. www.novalures.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rixon529 Posted March 27, 2008 Report Share Posted March 27, 2008 I posted this on Jan 3, 2007: Assuming you mean a sealant for a Plaster of Paris (PoP) mold, the following have all been mentioned on this forum at one time or another. It all comes down to personal choice - what you feel works best for you: Devcon 2 Ton® epoxy™ - Wal-Mart Decorative Effects by Valspar™, Gloss Clear Protector Gloss, P/N 93789, 100% Acrylic Latex - Home Depot / Lowe's High temp engine paint or high heat enamel spray paint - Wal-Mart / Pep Boys / Auto Zone / etc. Envirotex or Envirotex Lite - not sure who has it Bar top epoxy finish (i.e. Kleer Kote table top epoxy) Clear Satin Polyurethane spray - Wal-Mart Fiberglass resin (aka polyester resin) "Seal-All", made by a company called Eclectic Products Inc. out of Pineville, LA. WD-40 - everywhere Spray-on stone sealer - Home Depot / Lowe's Johnson's paste wax - everywhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccunningham300 Posted March 29, 2008 Report Share Posted March 29, 2008 what do you use to thin down epoxy? thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Bait Co. Posted March 30, 2008 Report Share Posted March 30, 2008 Has anybody tried Krylon Triple Thick Crystal Clear Glaze. Its comes in a spray can and is a non Firing glaze. I haven't tried it yet. I am worried about toxic fumes when I pour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nova Posted March 30, 2008 Report Share Posted March 30, 2008 Thin the epoxy with alcohol (the rubbing kind). I use 99%. www.novalures.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
