that wonderful resin and it's lovely fumes

[mazinz]

Ok, today is the first time I ever played around with resin and a catalyst (both of which I picked up at Michaels).

I had a rubber mold made of zubber (this stuff is tops for using it to create a rubber mold of whatever)

Now according to the resin it was 1 drop of catalyst for every once of resin. In my case about 2.5-3 onces were needed to fill the mold. I used about 4 drops of catalyst

Now I know it mentioned vapors and to use a well ventilated area. I had the fan going and figured because I was not using much resin, the vapors should subside within a reasonable amount of time.

No luck with that, I had to open the windows to let in the cool 39 degree air and had a few fans going for about 2 hours to air this place out from 2 onces of this stuff.

This brings me to a new question. Now I learned the hard way (and after killing every living thing in my house) just how much vapor this thing will produce with such a small amount, however it does not seem to be hardening too well. I did mix it for a little over a minute and used 4 drops of catalyst going by the resin can's meauring method of 1 drop for every once.

Does this take a full 24 hours to cure or should I have been seeing results sooner? A friend of mine who uses this stuff all the time told me it should be hardening up or near done after 2 hours or so.

I had to bring the resin with mold outside because it was too strong to leave in the house. If it ends up that I should have added more catalyst, is it hard to remove and cleanup the resin from the mold I poured it into? Thanks again for any and all help

[rche]

Most of the casting resins I've seen at stores like Michaels are 1:1 ratios which would mean you didn't get enough hardener in there. But I don't know what brand you are using.
If you did not get enough catalyst going and the cast is gooey it is pretty tough to clean up. Best to let it sit and harden as much as it can and then try to pull the goop out. You may be able to pull the center of the unfinished cast out and then let the rest get a bit more solid and then peel it out of the mold. The tough part is cleaning the mold with something that won't harm it. Good luck

[LonnieFisher]

I tried over and over to use the casting crap from the craft stores. It always came out gooey. I have heads I 'tried' to cast a decade ago that are still sticky. I have since learned that you need a lot more catalyst than they say. About four times as much, is what I have been told. Four drops instead of one. I haven 't tried it, but it seems right from what I hear. Your mold might be better off being replaced. I have ruined molds that way before. A few and not just one. Sucks to waste the money!

[rche]

You also loose potency with the catalyst when it sits for awhile. So if these things were languishing on the shelf at the hobby shop you probably need to refigure your ratio.

instead of trashing molds, you should set up a couple of test containers and put in 2-3 oz in each one and then try different amounts of cat until you find one that works well. You can find paint mixing pots at most hobby shops that are small plastic buckets and only hold a couple of oz. each.
Lots cheaper and less frustrating than cleaning out and possibly ruining gooed up molds.

[thunderbolt]

That stuff from Micheal's is no good, I tried it and the casts never quite dried. Then I read about low humidity on there and promptly returned it. Why sell something to be used in dry environments in Florida? But after your experience its safe to say that junk doesn't even work.

[Megospidey]

here is what you need....spend a little more and get the good stuff.

Smooth-Cast® 300 Series Bright White Liquid Plastic | Smooth-On, Inc.

[Bizarro Amy]

Ok, today is the first time I ever played around with resin and a catalyst (both of which I picked up at Michaels).

It sounds like you were using polyester resin. I almost made this mistake once too. According to the members of the prop forum I joined, this is similar to the stuff they use in fiberglass, and is not meant for indoor use. You should wear some kind of mask or other way to protect your lungs. Because my local Dick Blick store closed and I couldn't find any Smooth-on resin in a hurry, I bought a can of the Castin Craft brand and the catalyst, and was advised to return it.
The craft stores around here used to sell a 1:1 clear resin, made by the same company. I've used that before, with varying degrees of success. Many of the heads turned out sticky, and a few eventually hardened to the point that I could use them. That kind isn't even available around here anymore. Either way, I'd avoid Castin Craft resin products if at all possible.

[rche]

here is what you need....spend a little more and get the good stuff.

Smooth-Cast® 300 Series Bright White Liquid Plastic | Smooth-On, Inc.

mmmmm. smooth-on. uh huh!!!

[mazinz]

thank you for the replies. Yes it was the Castin resin (clear). I do not have the receipt (though I would not want my money back, just for them ot get rid of this horrible vapor item), any proper way to dispose of this stuff? I picked up the smaller can

[AAAAA]

Graduated cups and weight scale also comes in handy.when dealing with resin & promoter
ratios

[bleit1701]

I'ved used several brands of 1 to 1 mix resins and never had fumes that bad. I'd switch over. It hardens in minutes not hours and is much easier to mix.
To get the tacky/uncured piece out of the mold do what you're doing. Freeze it to get the part as hard as possible. It's your best chance at getting it out without hurting the mold. Even if it damages it keep it for future practice.
I use Bare Metal Foil for resin. They have a trial size kit for $27.
Pathway Polymers Por-A-Kast Polyurethane Resin Casting - Bare-Metal Foil Co.
They also have a starter kit that includes everything:
Mold Making and Resin Casting Starter Kit - Bare-Metal Foil Co.

Alumilite is another source for resin:
Casting Resin and Silicone Mold Making Rubber

Van***** is a taxidermy company but sell they resin and have it on sale from time to time:
Van ***** Taxidermy

I've had sucess using them all.

[rche]

I've picked up Alumilite products at in my a model specific hobby stores in my area. Places that deal with RC stuff, trains, and plastic models are good places to look for that brand. Worth noting that the clear casting resin from that company does NOT like rtv rubber molds. The casts end up very rough.

[JMC]

I just started toying with smooth-on and it seems to be really good. It's 1:1 but holds up really well.

[Bizarro Amy]

I'ved used several brands of 1 to 1 mix resins and never had fumes that bad. I'd switch over. It hardens in minutes not hours and is much easier to mix.
.

It's because the stuff he was using wasn't 1:1. You measure the clear resin, then add so many drops of catalyst from a small bottle, mix, and mold. When I bought the same stuff, I read the label and it actually sounds kind of dangerous. I don't understand why the craft stores always seem to stock this stuff, when the Smooth-On is so much easier, safer, and better quality.

[HapSlash]

I've tried casting heads with alumilite,... it still has some harsh fumes that turned me against it. that and my casts came out rock hard which made cleaning them up and fitting them to a body difficult.

I've since switched over to Polytek's Easyflo 60... and I'm in love. it's a 1:1 mix by volume, low viscosity so it pours very well, cures fast to a nice off-white color, and is still soft enough to carve should you need to.