Molding experts...I need your opinions

[tubachris85x]

I'm posting this seperatly from my Darktrooper Progress thread to get more responses...

Anywyays, I'm needing to make my transisiton mold for my DT helmet so that I can work with that casting to make the final master. I've already got it planned out to use silicone, etc. for the final one, but I'm trying to wonder how I should go about making the transition mold without having to spend more money on silicone.

My original plan is to make a two (or even 3 part) plaster mold. The only issue with this, is that the helmet is slightly larger then an FX TK helmet. After just making that palpetine bust for that holo pad, that mold weighed ALOT, and that's just for a small piece

I'm just curious to see what you guys would recomend as an alternative to silicone, and plaster, if necessary. Here are some pics of the helmet

For size comparison, an MR clone

Here it is now, covered in clay and ready for transition (for me at least)

Thanks!

-TC

 

[Fulcrum]

What about Moulage with a fiberglass backer?
or Latex?
The great thing about the moulage is that it is reusable.

 

[tubachris85x]

What about Moulage with a fiberglass backer?
or Latex?
The great thing about the moulage is that it is reusable.

Hmm..I've never heard of moulage? How expensive is it compared to plaster?

 

[tubachris85x]

And for latex mold making, I'm assuming you'd do the same processes for brushable silicone molding?

 

[Fulcrum]

It is Alot more expensive, but the kicker is that when you are done with
the mold it can be broken down ,reheated "double boiler",add a lil water and
wa-la reused over and over.

 

[Fulcrum]

The same principal applies for latex as for silicone,but the trade off is it takes alot long to complete the mold.mold release is needed,either liquid soap or silicone mold release.

The layers must be applied very thinly to allow the ammonia to dry out completely before the next layer is applied.
It also takes alot more layers to get a good build up "mold" some people will differ with me on this but for that helmet I would do around 25 to 30 layers.

you can use a hair dryer to help the ammonia to evaporate.

 

[Fulcrum]

Heres a site with Moulage at a pretty reasonable price.
You can probably get a better deal somewhere else since this was just a quick search.
http://www.dickblick.com/products/moulage-and-posmoulage-materials/

 

[tubachris85x]

Hmm well the moulage is actually looking more reasonable. I'd probably use the moulage with plasticote from smooth on. I've never had much luck with fiberglass..As for picking up details, how would it compare to silicone?

 

[Fulcrum]

It does a decent job on picking up the detail.Police use to use it for tire track impressions.
But its hard to compair anything to silicone

For a throw away mold,I dont think I would use plasticote , what about useing cardboard for the "fin" seperators of the mothermold and useing something like bondo or bondo mixed with resin for the mothermold? That stuff get hard as a rock.

 

[tubachris85x]

It does a decent job on picking up the detail.Police use to use it for tire track impressions.
But its hard to compair anything to silicone

For a throw away mold,I dont think I would use plasticote , what about useing cardboard for the "fin" seperators of the mothermold and useing something like bondo or bondo mixed with resin for the mothermold? That stuff get hard as a rock.

Hmm..Thats true..Well then I'd just use fiberglass over bondo. If I used bondo, that would work, but I'd need ALOT of it.

Hmm..do you think one gallon of the moulage would be enough or should I get 2 gallons?

 

[Fulcrum]

I would think two gallons would be enough.

 

[tubachris85x]

I would think two gallons would be enough.

Sounds good. I may just use that option then. I honestly can't imagine myself trying to lug around a 50+lb blocks of pure plaster...

 

[Fulcrum]

If you use the Moulage think about doing a write up on it.
I dont think many people have heard of it or seen it used.

Also I would recommend the moulage hardner it does make the mold tougher.