Question about latexing a clay sculpt

[DR4296]

Greetings All !

I just started my first sculpt in preparations for creating a latex mask. I've been following directions I found on instructables.com where one starts with air-dry clay. The instructions say to layer your final sculpt with a thin layer of petroleum jelly, before you start brushing on thin layers of latex.

But I recently read that petroleum jelly actually EATS AWAY at latex. And I can foresee only being able to work on this mask in possibly 20-40 minute "bursts" over the next few days. (I work 12-hour shifts over the next five days.) In fact, I may not be able to TOUCH this sculpt for 5 days, after this afternoon.

So, I'm wondering: If I coat my sculpt with vaseline today and maybe get 1-2 thin coats of latex brushed on... will leaving it alone / not finishing for several days cause damage to the latex (from that petroleum jelly) ?

Wondering if I should just finish my sculpt, package it air-tight in a plastic bag.... and wait until my next day off to do anything further.

Thanks!

-= Dave =-

 

[lucabaduca]

just put on a thin layer of jelly
if you see a change like it getting thinner or it IS disloving
try maybe some baby powder im pretty sure that would work but try the jelly first

 

[batmatrix]

Vaseline will dissolve latex. That is why it's not a good idea to use as a... personal lubricant. A thin layer of vaseline should be fine with thick enough latex, but you could use dish soap or some other lubricant/sealant instead.

 

[MrBarlow]

Just for clarification...Are you making a latex mold to eventually cast a latex mask? Why not do a hydrocal (stone) mold?

Just curious.