The Old Silicon Cheat

Okay, so I'm out of PinkySil and resin and everytime I have to restock it costs $100.

I'm scratch building Tie Fighter Wings and the centre wing part is a build that will require 4 cast parts.

So let's get creative......the silicon cheat is using caulking silicon to make a mold to pour resin or something similar.

It's seriously cheap, $3 versus $60.....that's the price point where I live.

I watched a few YT videos and tried the silicon and corn flour etc...but it was a fail.

So next was............bucket of water, add dishwashing detergent, add caulking silicon in and manipulate to a ball of goo.

Once the ball of goo is non sticky, then place part into it and let dry overnight.

Hey presto....I'm very surprised how much detail was retained.

Pros: Seriously cheap material. Easy to use.
Cons: Only for small build parts that you can press into the goo.

PS: The fail in the centre ring is because the goo was pressed to thin in that area....

What's the prep time for the goo? Is it just a matter of mixing it for a few minutes?

Popeguy said:

What's the prep time for the goo? Is it just a matter of mixing it for a few minutes?

Click to expand...

It's one of those things you just have to try.....I watched a few YT videos and found I had to add way more detergent to get it to be workable.

Once it was a collective goo, NOT sticky at all, then I could press the part into it.

It's not like molding silicon, it takes 12 hrs+ to set, so there's heaps of time to play with it.

Cost wise it's a win.....but only for certain applications.

Hi yaris, I've had some success in using caulking silicon recently, on my scratchbuilt Land Raider.
Specifically, I cast the tracks and iconography (such as the skulls, eagles and ravens, etc) using the same method.

The short version:
I mount the item I want to mold, then I smear the surface with a mix of caulking silicon and lighter fluid.
This should be thin, it follows details very closely, and cures quick.
Next, I bulk out the mold: I add silicon to a small bucket of soapy water, and massage it a bit, then I press this onto the mold.
This takes a while to cure, probably a couple of hours, but I leave it over night.

I've even managed to cast a lego figurine as a two-part mold using this method.
I can add some more info if you want, otherwise PM me.