uwfishmd Posted August 29, 2009 Report Share Posted August 29, 2009 Has anyone ever used silicone caulk to make a 2part mold for a soft plastic bait? I'm wondering if the bait will release from the silicone without any problems? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jordan Goehring Posted August 30, 2009 Report Share Posted August 30, 2009 Try this post, Also has a PDF file on it with a tutorial. http://www.tackleunderground.com/forum/soft-plastics/10753-rtv-silicone-alternatives.html Although it does not look like a good idea from the responses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vodkaman Posted August 30, 2009 Report Share Posted August 30, 2009 Husky has done a lot of work with this silicone, read this thread: http://www.tackleunderground.com/forum/soft-plastics/17408-diy-aninstant-1-2-rd-rtv-silicone-mold-under-buck.html I see no reason why a 2 piece mold could not be successful. You may have to back the mold halves with some wood, as the stuff is a bit floppy. Do a few tests to find an effective release agent. Try vaseline, silicone spray, etc. But a soft wax would be my "go to" release agent. As stated in Husky'e thread, the addition of a few drops of water, is the big secret, without which, your mold will never cure in a reasonable time. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uwfishmd Posted August 30, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 30, 2009 (edited) I actually read that adding acrylic paint would help the silicone to cure faster but water will suffice. I also would like to know how the soft plastic baits turn out. I would really like mine to come out with a shiny surface. This is why I am curious about the silicone caulk. Edited August 30, 2009 by uwfishmd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uwfishmd Posted August 30, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 30, 2009 I should also mention that the reason I want to use the silicone for molding is because I have to make a 2 part mold for a bait with a lot of fine details. I tried the POP but I can't get a good clear coat on my mold and when I pour the plastic in it its sticking in the finer detail parts of the mold. If I apply more coats of clear it would only fill in the details of the bait that make it the great bait that it is. Having someone make a aluminum mold for me is way 2 expensive. Just looking for an cheaper alternative method to create my bait. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gone2long Posted August 30, 2009 Report Share Posted August 30, 2009 I use Bondo fiberglass resin works great for a 2 piece mold, maintains fine details and no need to seal. Think a gallon went for $30 but you will get a load of molds out of a gallon the key is making a good mold frame so as to not waste material. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uwfishmd Posted August 30, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 30, 2009 From what I have been told is that fiberglass resign won't work for 2part baits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vodkaman Posted August 30, 2009 Report Share Posted August 30, 2009 A lot of talk about shrinkage. But it shrinks from the outside. careful about how much catalyst, too much makes too much heat and causes warping or even crack failure. Consider a filler/resin combination. Also, do a search on "rebar", reinforcing the mold with nails, as an example, will reduce the tendancy of the mold to warp when pouring the plastic. I use it for pouring lead, works fine for me. Clamp the two mold halves tight to be sure. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uwfishmd Posted August 30, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 30, 2009 sounds good vodkaman. I am going to try and use the silicone 1st on a bait I don't really care for and see what happens. I'll try and post results when I get them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uwfishmd Posted August 30, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 30, 2009 I think that I may even try some marine carpet glue for making a mold. Has anyone else tried this? My brain is churning with ideas today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gone2long Posted August 30, 2009 Report Share Posted August 30, 2009 Thats what allot of people do they put too much catalyst in trying to speed the process up, I use little less then what is recomended and wait it out less heat I've even put so little in that it took 24 hours to set but it is as good as any other mold in my collection. Good luck what ever way you choose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uwfishmd Posted August 30, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 30, 2009 Mr. Bilky & Vodkaman do you have to put a releaser on the plastic bait your copying or not with fiberglass resin? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gone2long Posted August 30, 2009 Report Share Posted August 30, 2009 I don't use a release agent for the bait as long as you don't put too much catalyst in you won't get hot enought to melt the bait. It pulls out just fine. I have put too much in and it does cause some problems in removing because the bait becomes semi liquid like say jello. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uwfishmd Posted August 30, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 30, 2009 Thanks for the info mr. bilky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uwfishmd Posted September 1, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 1, 2009 I experimented with the while kitchen and bath silicone caulk. I didn't mix in too much water so its still not totally dry but my bait pulled out of it fine the very next day. My suggestion so far is to lay your bait in and not move it because the caulk will stick at first. Then let it dry a good long time if you don't add a lot of water. Here is a photo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piscivorous Pike Posted October 2, 2009 Report Share Posted October 2, 2009 Has anyone ever used silicone caulk to make a 2part mold for a soft plastic bait? I'm wondering if the bait will release from the silicone without any problems? Yes, I made several using this method: http://www.tackleunderground.com/forum/soft-plastics/17408-diy-aninstant-1-2-rd-rtv-silicone-mold-under-buck.html There is a running conversation, I posted my progress, I was not too happy with it but it works. I got too much flashing in the joints which just may be the complexity of the cavity and not the process itself. It releases fine. These are large enough and there is enough give that after pouring I can "pump" them squeezing the mold as the rtv gives a bit to help push the plastisol down into a thin tail part of the creature. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BBK Posted October 2, 2009 Report Share Posted October 2, 2009 I just went out to the garage and tried it, I'll let you know how it turns out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BBK Posted October 4, 2009 Report Share Posted October 4, 2009 It never set up. I dont think I added enough water. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Husky Posted October 4, 2009 Report Share Posted October 4, 2009 It never set up. I dont think I added enough water. Question, which brand Silicone did you use? WalMarts Mainstay and ACE hardwares own brand (Comes in Wh, Clr or Blk) are the two I can vouch for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BBK Posted October 4, 2009 Report Share Posted October 4, 2009 DAP silicone caulk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piscivorous Pike Posted October 4, 2009 Report Share Posted October 4, 2009 (edited) DAP silicone caulk. DAP 100% silicone sealant works, the 50 yr. stuff, I do not think the caulk is a pure rtv images of the stuff I use besides wal-mart mainstay http://www.dap.com/images/products/hires/25_p_SILICONEW&D10WHT.jpg http://www.dap.com/images/products/hires/25_p_SILICONEW&D10CLR.jpg Edited October 4, 2009 by Piscivorous Pike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BBK Posted October 4, 2009 Report Share Posted October 4, 2009 Thats what I used. Its been two days now and it hasn't set up. I must not have used enough water. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piscivorous Pike Posted October 4, 2009 Report Share Posted October 4, 2009 Thats what I used. Its been two days now and it hasn't set up. I must not have used enough water. I agree. I put the stuff I use in a plastic baggie, put a good deal of water in it and then shake out the water. The remaining moisture is enough. I squeeze the air out then close the bag, knead it till it is mixes good then I snip a corner off the bag and use it like a baker's cake decorating bag and squeeze it out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
