jtibill Posted July 12, 2007 Report Share Posted July 12, 2007 Hi, I am just trying my hand at molding soft plastic lures. I want to get the smoothest, shiniest finish on my pours. Which type of mold will give me the best finish? Metal, silicone, plaster, or something else? Thanks, Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senkosam Posted July 12, 2007 Report Share Posted July 12, 2007 Hi,I am just trying my hand at molding soft plastic lures. I want to get the smoothest, shiniest finish on my pours. Which type of mold will give me the best finish? Metal, silicone, plaster, or something else? Thanks, Bill Oil the cavity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtibill Posted July 12, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 12, 2007 Thanks, Senkosam; however, I want to paint the bait after molding so I don't think oiling is going to work for me this time. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delw Posted July 13, 2007 Report Share Posted July 13, 2007 Aluminum will always give you the best finish,it will also give the best detail. Pop or something close with a good coat of something smooth would be second and silicon would be last Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senkosam Posted July 13, 2007 Report Share Posted July 13, 2007 What kind of paint? I use Spike-It Chunk Paint and it sticks fine. Oiling the mold doesn't make the lure oily and, in fact, the oil gets absorbed leaving a dry shiny surface. I use Original Fish formula in the cavity and still have to add worm oil to the bag to get the baits slimey. As you can see, the trailer is shiny: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattlures Posted July 13, 2007 Report Share Posted July 13, 2007 if your going to paint the bait than you dont need your bait to be shiny. The paint itself will either be shiny or dull depending on how you mix it and the surface of the bait before painting is erelavant. Of course aluminum molds are superior Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockylinx Posted July 14, 2007 Report Share Posted July 14, 2007 So aluminum is number 1 I thought that RTV would give off a better finish than sealed POP Am I wrong please help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delw Posted July 14, 2007 Report Share Posted July 14, 2007 RTV gives off a dull finish a lot and the detail sucks pop gives a better detail and you can coat it for a very smooth finish. Like Matt said the surface of what you our into is what makes the shine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattlures Posted July 14, 2007 Report Share Posted July 14, 2007 You can get a real glossy finish with rtv but your master has to be super shiny, and I do mean SUPER shiney. coated pop is very shiny but if you can get an aluminum mold that matches your bait, thats the way to go. They are just superior in just about every aspect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delw Posted July 14, 2007 Report Share Posted July 14, 2007 Hey matt have you every tried gelcoat? thats works pretty good also but it cracks easy if you drop it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattlures Posted July 14, 2007 Report Share Posted July 14, 2007 I have tried just about everything. Del I sent you a PM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyrano Posted July 14, 2007 Report Share Posted July 14, 2007 Without sounding dumb, but what is pop? I make a few RTV molds and carve the masters from wood and try to clear coat them to give the mold a smooth finish. Is there anything better for coating the wooden master to get the real shinny finish for RTV, like certain mold release? What is used to add scale patterns to the master without having to carve them, is there a resin and would a net work? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghost Posted July 15, 2007 Report Share Posted July 15, 2007 Don't feel bad. When I first found this site I had no idea what POP was either. It is Plaster of Paris. It can be found at any wal-mart in the craft isle. I have made a few molds using plaster, but I am not patient enough to get the hang of it so I just fork out the money and buy aluminum. It is the best bet for molds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
