bluegrasslover Posted August 17, 2009 Report Share Posted August 17, 2009 Hi all, I'm in the process of making my first mold, a 2 part. I'm using DWP with some Elmer's mixed in. I have done the bottom half and I'm waiting for it to cure so I can pour the 2nd half over it. Something I haven't seen discussed is this...if I use vasoline or some other oily substance wouldn't I need to clean that up some how if I plan to coat the mold with epoxy, glue/water, etc? I'll probably be using epoxy and I would assume that the epoxy wouldn't do well coating the mold that had previously been coated with vasoline. What do you guys do? Thanks, Greg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vodkaman Posted August 17, 2009 Report Share Posted August 17, 2009 I have only made PoP molds, but DWP is a similar substance and I would expect it to behave the same. I asked myself the same question as I was applying the greasy mess to my creation. The answer was surprisingly, no. The heat of the curing process, combined with the porosity of the material, causes the Vaseline to soak into the mold. The porosity (which you are attempting to fill with the epoxy, gives an excellent key, so no problems with adhesion and no need for clean-up. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluegrasslover Posted August 17, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 17, 2009 I have only made PoP molds, but DWP is a similar substance and I would expect it to behave the same.I asked myself the same question as I was applying the greasy mess to my creation. The answer was surprisingly, no. The heat of the curing process, combined with the porosity of the material, causes the Vaseline to soak into the mold. The porosity (which you are attempting to fill with the epoxy, gives an excellent key, so no problems with adhesion and no need for clean-up. Dave Awesome...Thanks Dave! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HJS Posted August 17, 2009 Report Share Posted August 17, 2009 blurgrass - I've made a couple dozen 2-piece molds out of DWP, and I've always wondered the same thing each time I coat the bottom half with Vasoline. But like Vadkaman says, it doesn't seem to be an issue during sealing. Keep in mind that I brush on a very thin sheen of Vasoline using a soft bristle artist brush. Don't let the Vasoline glob up anywhere on the mold's surface, especially where the master meets the surface of the DWP nor in the alignment holes. To seal the mold I use 30 minute epoxy cut with a couple drops of drugstore rubber alcohol. Also, I think if you try to clean off the residual Vasoline with soap and water before sealing that you might snuff-out some of the detail. If I'm not mistaken, water will dissolve curer DWP, not much but just enough to compromise the quality of the mold. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Long Lake Lures Posted August 18, 2009 Report Share Posted August 18, 2009 I use silicone spray that I bought at a dollar store as a release agent for DWP. After making the bottom section and it cures a while, I leave the master in and spray with the silicone. Don't pour the second layer too soon or else you will get bubbles and diminished detail due to the liquid carrier from the silicone- Let the silicone soak in. Hope this helps, Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
