Question: how to keep baked Sculpey from sticking to a mold

[K]

Hello, Everyone.

I'm wondering if anyone has advice/tips for me.

I'm new to casting heads and, although I had success, the process was complicated by Sculpey on my original item (it had been baked/cured) sticking to the inside of the silicone mold. I had to pick off the Sculpey with a dull toothpick.

I'm using Alumilite materials (both mold and resin). Any help is, as always, greatly appreciated!

[megocrazy]

Did you use the sealer before you recast it? Sculpey is porous and needs to be sealed and then coated with mold release. I know there was a post a while back about someone having issues that determined it may have been a humidity problem. I don't use Alumilite but I'm assuming there the same basics as the one I do use.

[K]

AH! THANK YOU!!!!

NO, I didn't seal it, nor did I use mold release. I'm sure that's the problem, as it wasn't humid when I cast it.

The "sealer" you mention: is it a Sculpey product, or can I seal it with varnish or something?

[ABMAC]

I've never used a sealer or mold release on Sculpey, and I've never encountered the problem you describe. I'd be more inclined to blame the silicone.

[Dave Mc]

I use OOMO Smooth On products without mold release, but if I have sculpy fill in my original, or something someone fragile on the original, it will almost always break off or stick to the mold without release. Probably all depends on the product you are using.

[K]

I appreciate all the feedback, everyone. I'm a total newbie at this.

Maybe next time I'll try mold release. Is there any special kind to use? I have rubber to rubber mold release for two part silicone molds. Is this the stuff I should use?

I know that the Alumilite folks estimate the shelf life of their products as 1 yr (?) I think and the mold material purchased the day before. However, I don't know how long the store had it on the shelf. Maybe it was a bit old. *shrug*

On the "up" side, I did get a decent head cast, but it'd be nice to try to avoid the pitfalls of having the Sculpey stick if/when I do this again. I appreciate all the expertise!

[K]

Sorry for the additional post. I was just rereading people's replies and I have another question:


Dave,

if I have sculpy fill in my original, or something someone fragile on the original, it will almost always break off or stick to the mold without release.

Do you do anything to avoid this (use mold release, etc.), or do you just pick the Sculpey out of the mold? If so, does it damage the mold in any way to pick it out of there?

[K]

^ T3T,

THANK YOU for that! I appreciate you, and everyone else, sharing experiences. Your method sounds like a good one. I'll be sure to do that next time. And you're right: it does give a good indication of how good the sculpt is to begin with, so you can see if it's the way you want it before casting. Thanks again!

[SlipperyLilSuckers]

Looking forward to seeing some of your results K....

[K]

^ Thanks, Slippery.

I'm really eager to finish it, but things have been hectic this week. If all goes well, maybe it'll be done over the weekend. *fingers crossed!* Thanks again!