Makrel Johnson
New Member
I'm working on a head casting and I'm having a little trouble with the Smooth-On Alginate. I can't seem to get that happy medium where it's mixed smooth enough, I'm using a squirrel cage mixer, and thick enough to hold a face while sitting up.
It seems when I mix it thicker, it sets MUCH faster and tends to be lumpier as it's scooped and applied. Mixing enough for it to be smooth has it running off my face and all over the drop cloth.
Anyone experiment with using bottled water? I've read that hard water can make it lumpy and I've got a water softener for the house but I can't seem to get a good feel of it.
I'm planning to use the alginate to get a rough mold to slosh some ultracal 30 in, then make a silicone mold of the cleaned up casting. I have about 3-5 lbs left and I don't want to waste it if it's my prep or technique.
Is there something blatant that I'm doing wrong or is it more trial & error?
Thanks,
Mak
It seems when I mix it thicker, it sets MUCH faster and tends to be lumpier as it's scooped and applied. Mixing enough for it to be smooth has it running off my face and all over the drop cloth.
Anyone experiment with using bottled water? I've read that hard water can make it lumpy and I've got a water softener for the house but I can't seem to get a good feel of it.
I'm planning to use the alginate to get a rough mold to slosh some ultracal 30 in, then make a silicone mold of the cleaned up casting. I have about 3-5 lbs left and I don't want to waste it if it's my prep or technique.
Is there something blatant that I'm doing wrong or is it more trial & error?
Thanks,
Mak
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