Casting plastic and latex from the same mold?

[TChiu]

I posted this in the costume replica forum but then I realized it probably belongs here.
Hi everyone!
I'm making a batman helmet out of a pep file and have started thinking that it may actually look good as a latex mask.
So my question is can I make ONE single mold that will be able to cast both plastic and latex in?
I would like to make both styles to wear but don't really want to be making 2 separate molds if I don't have to. And from what I've seen, plastic helmet are casted from latex molds supported by a fiberglass jacket, while latex masks are made from plaster molds.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advanced.

 

[Ray22]

This is alot of info to try to explain in a post I would recommend you watch videos on mold making on Youtube there are all kinds of them dealing with silicone, plaster, Hydracal and so on.

 

[Dericrw]

Visit smooth-on.com for some video tutorials and products. I have used rebound 25 for a mold and the plasti-paste for the mold jacket (shell) and have cast both smoothon 300 and dragon-skin from it. So I would say yes you can.

 

[xdmray]

first off most plastic helmets are cast from silicone not latex. you can do latex but it is not as good.

you can cast latex in a silicone mold, you just have to do thin coats. it takes forever to cure as well.

 

[batmatrix]

A general rule I was taught, and have experienced, is never cast like into like. Meaning if you are casting soft (silicone or latex) use a hard mold and if you are casting hard (resin, plaster, plastics, etc.) use a soft mold.

That being said, you CAN do hard into hard and soft into soft, but I don't recommend it as they should be treated as exceptions to the rule.

 

[Scuba Bob]

I would make 2 seperate molds if you're planning to do resin/latex castings. It actually is super easy to do. Start by doing your silicone mold with a rigid mothermold for your resin castings. Finish that and get it nice and cleaned out. When it's ready, get a clay like monster clay or tex clay that can be melted and poured and pour it into your silicone mold and spin up another clay positive. from that clay positive make a 2nd mold out of hydrocal for the purpose of doing your latex pours into. This way you have the right tool for the right job and it really wont cost you much extra.

 

[TChiu]

Wow,
Thanks everyone for the tips. Love this forum, everyone is super helpful and willing to help out newbies like me. My only problem now I s finding the right materials to make the molds since I love in Korea.