help!!I am trying to recreate a babys hand using dental alginate and then casting it in resin.
I have tried both polyester and epoxy resin, the polyester comes out looking gorgeous and clear but doesnt harden completely, when exposed to heat again or put into a sealed container the surface goes tacky and it really stinks.

the epoxy resin was no good at all, it sticks to the alginate and the surface looks 'frosty" so i'd really like to make the polyester work.

i'm wondering if the problem is the amount of catalyst i'm using, the manufacturers instructions say 1% catalyst to 100% resin, so i used 1ml to 100ml.
I have since been told that you should use less catalyst for a thicker application, does anyone know the correct ratio for a solid resin casting of about 50mm square (sorry I know you probably all work in inches and ounces, so say about 1 and a half inches square) if I can get the ratio in ounces i can convert it to metrics.

Thanks

I read somewhere that a guy used a crystal clear spray to seal the alginate mold. Just a suggestion. As far as the mix I don't know, but I also heard that you need a quick set resin. The faster it's out of the mold the better. Good luck. ~ N

HI I am a lifecaster for Cape Town in South Africa .
Yes you can make a resin cast with ACRYILC resin .
It is white like pop but harder pot life 17 min and set in 1 hour .Try smooth on.
good luck Anton

As I recall resin does not react well with water (check the label or ask the manufacturer). What you actually should do is make a plaster or hydrocal casting from the alginate mold first. Make a silicone mold of that casting and then make your resin casting. It's a lot more work but it should solve your problem.

I went to hobby lobby and bought the 32oz polyester resin (it came with about .5 oz or hardener/catalyst.
The instructions led me to use the entire 32 oz and the entire .5 of hardener.
This made me a clear, hard, dry cast of my face out of an alginate mold.
not quite 100:1 more like 30-50 :1 but the ration on the instructions changed based on the thickness of the work.
Also make SURE you mix it well before you pour it in the mold.

I went to hobby lobby and bought the 32oz polyester resin (it came with about .5 oz or hardener/catalyst.
The instructions led me to use the entire 32 oz and the entire .5 of hardener.
This made me a clear, hard, dry cast of my face out of an alginate mold.
not quite 100:1 more like 30-50 :1 but the ration on the instructions changed based on the thickness of the work.
Also make SURE you mix it well before you pour it in the mold.