Can anybody help with casting queries?

[JDarko]

Hi Guys, was wondering if anybody could chime in with some advice. I'm planning on casting up a few things I've built using a Vinamold/ Gelflex mold. I'm planning a face mask I've made with not many undercuts and am wanting a strong casting method. I'm using tomps.co.uk as it has a lot things I'll think I'll need. So, the questions that have been puzzling me are:
1) On the aforementioned site, I gather I'll need a gelcoat layer first into the mold (it will be a one part mold and It will be polyester resin layed over gelcoat. Will I need a wax additive in the gelcoat? I assume not as the gelcoat will be followed by the resin layup and help with the curing away from the atmosphere. Or is it better to have the wax additive anyway? help:lol)
".) I was hoping to use a filler powder in the resin lay up to reduce brittleness and the site suggest cab o sil fumed silica to help attach the lay up to the gelcoat. Is this a good choice to add to polyester resin to strengthen the overall cast?
Was planning on buying all the stuff I need tomorrow over the net so would love some advice as I reaaallllly dont have money to throw away. And I want to impress people with the props they (eventually ) will buy off me:lol

thanks for any advice!:thumbsup

 

[JDarko]

bump! because I could really do with the advice!

 

[Reactor drone]

Fillers like cabosil and talc won't really strengthen the resin much due to the small particle size,you'd really need to add glass(chopped strand mat,woven mat,loose chopped strands etc) to tie the resin together.

A cabosil/resin mix will basically give you a bondo/P38 type of product which is good for filling in corners on a mould where the matting might otherwise lift allowing air bubbles to be trapped underneath.

 

[JDarko]

thanks for the tip:thumbsup