I want to be able to reproduce the casts/molds I make.

When I apply the algenate, make the final castrite product, how can I make a permanent cast? I know some would say making a fiberglass casting of the final product, but this will lose detail. I need to be able to reproduce these props.

I am making body props and to save time and money would like to know the best way to make replicas later.

Thanks a ton!!

All my reproductions are made from a silicon mould.

Once I have the original casting I make a silicone mould with a fibre glass outer mother mould (shell). This is for large Torso's and the table base I have on my web site.

I was originally using hydrocal with glass fibre as the mother mould, but found it was very ridgid and hard to get the outer shell off the silicon. The fibre glass has more strength and is still abit flexible to help removal.

If you are just doing hands or something small, you can use the silicone in a container similar to the techniquie with alginte in a container.

Does this help, or do you need more of an explanation?

Regards
Ray Hope
B Immortal Body Casting
http://www.bimmortal.com

I will be replicating full arms, torsos, faces and legs mostly.

I see what you mean by making a silicone mold. What silicone (product) do you use and how long has it lasted you?

Also, can you tell me if I make a cast using artmolds CastRite, will I be able to put the silicone over that to make a new mold? I don't want to mess up the original. I just didn't know if the CastRite could be placed into or have a liquid type substance holding water back onto it.

I know about fiberglass, I used to make fiberglass car parts and stereo related parts. However, because this needs to be somewhat flexible, I am concerned with how many layers you needed to apply, and what the best way to apply it to the silicone is?

I know when putting plaster onto alginate or silicone, it's best to implement cotton or mohair fibers into the mold before it dries to allow the plaster to adhere. What do you do with Fiberglass?

Thanks!!

I'm going to recommend a great web-site that will help you with your needs. There are a lot of very knowledgable people there. go to www.theeffectslab.com

free to sign in and the forum is fabulous. Do some research and then ask some questions.

And yes, it is possible to make a mostly permenant mold using either urethane or silicone. It really depends on what you're casting into the mold. For hot and toxic materials like urethane plastics and polyester resins you would use silicones (but really almost anything can be cast in silicone). Urethanes are great for concrete, plasters, waxes, and other things, heat can cause warping and degradation.

The mother mold/carrier mold (the hard shell around the rubber) is going to be seperate. It can be aligned by making registration marks or even locking keys. Mold releases will be needed with certain materials. There is a lot to learn.

Another good site to learn about how to make molds is www.smoothon.com. Polytek also has a wonderful catalog/manual that explains a lot about mold making and they are helpful if you call them (ask for Joe).

thanks, I have seen you recommend those sites before I believe. Smooth-on.com I have already browsed through and read through their little learning center thing. Really not much in way of what I needed to know. They don't go into details about fiberglassing shells and such.

No one seems to have the "basics" in their manuals and how-to type articles. Again, i am new, but am doing my research, but it's the littlest things that become trivial in a way that make it very critical to know exactly how it's done before attempting and wasting big $$$

I will look into the other forum.