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Step 4Cure the Mold
I found the silicone takes a couple of hours (around four) to firm up, but it was also easier removing them if I let them sit overnight. Its a little tough to get the mold out, but work slowly around the back by pushing your hand through the PVC pipe until it starts coming out.
Smooth-On recommends heating the silicone to 150 degrees Fahrenheit for four or five hours to evaporate leftovers from the silicone mixture. I did this for all my molds, so I dont know what happens if you dont. Make sure you keep everything around room temperature and that you use up all the containers that you open because they have a limited shelf life after you start opening and closing them.
I tied some string to each of my measuring cups and left them in the A and B buckets, with the string sticking out, held down by the lid so the cup didn't sink to the bottom of the bucket next time I needed it.
Get some silicone mold release. Ive read that talcum powder works, too, but I stuck to the manufacturer-recommended release. I used Manns Ease-Release 200, one can goes a long way. Spray your molds every 3 or 4 pieces to preserve the life of the molds and ensure the easy removal of the casted pieces. Its best to let the release agent dry, but in all honesty most of the time I just sprayed and casted again. It leaves a sheen on the casted part, but it didnt appear to hurt anything. Especially after I painted the pieces.
Smooth-Ons website also suggests spraying primer into the mold after the release agent dried. When you pour your plastic, it supposedly comes out bonded with the primer. I did not test this, although I am still thinking about doing it in the future. The problem is you have to wait for the release to dry, then the paint to dry, before you can cast partsnot good if youre making a lot of small pieces.
Smooth-On recommends heating the silicone to 150 degrees Fahrenheit for four or five hours to evaporate leftovers from the silicone mixture. I did this for all my molds, so I dont know what happens if you dont. Make sure you keep everything around room temperature and that you use up all the containers that you open because they have a limited shelf life after you start opening and closing them.
I tied some string to each of my measuring cups and left them in the A and B buckets, with the string sticking out, held down by the lid so the cup didn't sink to the bottom of the bucket next time I needed it.
Get some silicone mold release. Ive read that talcum powder works, too, but I stuck to the manufacturer-recommended release. I used Manns Ease-Release 200, one can goes a long way. Spray your molds every 3 or 4 pieces to preserve the life of the molds and ensure the easy removal of the casted pieces. Its best to let the release agent dry, but in all honesty most of the time I just sprayed and casted again. It leaves a sheen on the casted part, but it didnt appear to hurt anything. Especially after I painted the pieces.
Smooth-Ons website also suggests spraying primer into the mold after the release agent dried. When you pour your plastic, it supposedly comes out bonded with the primer. I did not test this, although I am still thinking about doing it in the future. The problem is you have to wait for the release to dry, then the paint to dry, before you can cast partsnot good if youre making a lot of small pieces.
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