Resin casting - what clay to use for molds?

[RisingZan]

I don't mean to resurrect a dead thread, but I would like to know people's experience with the inverse of the OP question. If I use Clay as the sculpting material, is it okay to use clay to fill the mold box? I imagine it sticking and ruining the sculpt. Or is it simply a difference in clay "stiffness" that will protect me from such a problem?

 

[skynet]

You can use cheap normal water based clay but be sure to seal it with a clear coat (ordinary spray can) so water and sulphur doesn't inhibit the cure of resin or silicone.

It worked totally fine for me.

 

[KingJawa]

I use monstermakers oil based & water based clay. I like the water base because its much easier to sculpt with. The oil based doesnt dry out but needs to be heated to work well in cold temp. areas.

 

[kelsobrooks]

Klean Klay

I have purchased some Klean Klay, can I use it to make the mold for an object and pour resin directly into it....? Or do I have to use something else to make a cast first...? :confused

Thanks

Kelso

 

[Imhotep72]

i use the kind of clay you buy for kids. It comes in all those happy colors and doesn't dry out and it doesn't react with silicones.

Marc

I thought about trying that but didn't think it would work; if it does that's a serious money saver! :lol

 

[exoray]

I have purchased some Klean Klay, can I use it to make the mold for an object and pour resin directly into it....? Or do I have to use something else to make a cast first...? :confused

Thanks

Kelso

Depends... As it's a loaded question... There are several way to mold and cast things, not one single right or wrong way or single right or wrong product for every application...

So yeah you can smash a piece into clay, pull it out and then cast a part in the squished clay... Not the best option most of the time but it works for down and dirty quick casting...

Clay can be used lots of ways, to build up a part, to sculpt a part, to make walls or what not when casting, to squish molding or to plug a hole...

 

[propsculptor]

Another great Clay to use is "Van Aken Clay" which you can find at any "Michaels" Art supply store, it has No Sulfur in it and does not react to any Silicone at all. It's cheap, smooths easily with Lighter Fluid, and easy to use for anything.

I've used it for more than 4 years straight at a company where we used various brands of Silicone with No problems at all.

 

[clonesix]

I use water clay, as it is easy and quick to apply, easy to slice through and put a box around. Silicone RTV likes moisture, so it is not a problem. It is also easy to clean off the model.

All other clays mentioned will also work fine.

 

[Diastrom]

It sounds like Klean Klay is quite popular. What consistency do you recommend; soft, medium or hard?

 

[TheSt.LouisKid]

I have not used clay since the mid 90's.
You make your master correctly and the need for clay is eliminated.
I don't make parting lines with an xacto either.

Rubber cement and poster board.

 

[red4]

I have not used clay since the mid 90's.
You make your master correctly and the need for clay is eliminated.
I don't make parting lines with an xacto either.

Rubber cement and poster board.

How do you make registry points?

 

[OldSkoolEffects]

I have not used clay since the mid 90's.
You make your master correctly and the need for clay is eliminated.

It would seem the rest of the mold-making world is decades behind you, then.

I use Klean Klay, which now has become some generic gray clay you can get at most craft stores.

 

[TheSt.LouisKid]

How do you make registry points?

Koogly eyes like what you find at the craft store. I'll take a pic of one my molds so you can see. Hard to put into words.

 

[CDNMEDUSAVET]

I'm looking to sculpt and sculpt a monster head about 3-4 times larger than a human head.

I'm looking for the best clay for the money that I can later mould with silicone.

Cost is a factor due to the sheer size, I'll probably build up a base out of foam glued to plywood just to save on volume?

Any thoughts?

 

[cavx]

I use Plasticine that I got from the school my wife teaches at. Anything the kids get has to be "safe to eat". I ran a small test first up and found no re-actions, and so have continued to use to this day. Plasticine can be a bit hard at time (especially in these cooler months we are having now down under) and I either place it in the microwave for up to 60 seconds or leave it out in the sun for 30min. Once heated, it become very soft and easy to work. Once it cools, it goes back to original hardness it was.

 

[falloutboy]

I use the cheap kids modeling clays that are sulfur free.

Haven't seen a reaction with any silicone yet (6 years of use in molding little bits and scenic pieces for wargaming).

Plays nice with smooth-on products and is cheap.

 

[Daniel Nelms]

Neropost

I use monster clay, it's soft when heated but hard when it cools and the additional wax they put in it makes it easy for me to smooth out.

 

[Tiff2]

You can use most anything, but I know many FX professionals use WED clay. it's a water based clay made for things such as this.

Hello. If I was to pour epoxy resin over a wed clay sculpture. Would it make a epoxy resin piece of that sculpture