DE-gun 2.0: Finally!
Hi all! Any of you who happen to follow my Tumblr have seen this already, but I tried a new mold-making technique this week--one that is much easier to use, less toxic, and takes A LOT less time.
Silicone mold putty.
(Why didn't I think of this before? Simple. It was more expensive than the paint-on stuff, so naturally I tried the less-expensive way first, instead of doing my research more thoroughly and discovering the infinitely simpler method. Derp.)
Anyway, since mold putty captures a little less detail (and results in more seams) than paint-on silicone, I smushed some paint-on silicone into the details, and then mushed the already-cured silicone putty around it. I made the putty thick enough to stand on its own, without a pesky, brittle mold shell. The two types of silicone bonded pretty well, so I figured I'd go ahead and try a cast, just to see how it would go.
And it actually worked!! And took me less than 5 minutes to de-mold (remove from the mold), versus the hour it took me to destroy the mold shell the last two times. Not only that, but I had enough putty left over (from two packages, or about 1.5 lbs) to make a little mold for the swirly bit at the top of the gun. The plastic should hold up better than the paper/foam embellishments I'd been using too.
Here's the two molds, the first casts from them, and the original gold "swirl" that I yanked off my own DE-gun:
That putty is ugly as sin, huh? XD But hey, it's non-toxic, you mix it by hand, and it's fun to work with. And it works. Can't ask for more than that. ;)
Here's a closeup of the two resin pieces, with the flashing (excess resin that leaked into the seam of the mold) trimmed off:
It captured the details of the letters perfectly, thanks to the paint-on silicone I pressed into the details! And even the little swirl looks just like its mold mama. I'm so proud. :') The little bubbles around the handle/top of the barrel will be easily filled with some of that epoxy putty that I bought and used during the previous step. Hallelujah!!
Thanks for looking, you guys, and I tell ya, I am so happy right now I could cry. Or dance with glee, or something. I can't believe it finally worked. XD Do let me know what you think, or if you have any questions about this stuff (where to get it, how to use it, etc.).
Much love to you all, and hope you're having a lovely holiday season! <3
Silicone mold putty.
(Why didn't I think of this before? Simple. It was more expensive than the paint-on stuff, so naturally I tried the less-expensive way first, instead of doing my research more thoroughly and discovering the infinitely simpler method. Derp.)
Anyway, since mold putty captures a little less detail (and results in more seams) than paint-on silicone, I smushed some paint-on silicone into the details, and then mushed the already-cured silicone putty around it. I made the putty thick enough to stand on its own, without a pesky, brittle mold shell. The two types of silicone bonded pretty well, so I figured I'd go ahead and try a cast, just to see how it would go.
And it actually worked!! And took me less than 5 minutes to de-mold (remove from the mold), versus the hour it took me to destroy the mold shell the last two times. Not only that, but I had enough putty left over (from two packages, or about 1.5 lbs) to make a little mold for the swirly bit at the top of the gun. The plastic should hold up better than the paper/foam embellishments I'd been using too.
Here's the two molds, the first casts from them, and the original gold "swirl" that I yanked off my own DE-gun:
That putty is ugly as sin, huh? XD But hey, it's non-toxic, you mix it by hand, and it's fun to work with. And it works. Can't ask for more than that. ;)
Here's a closeup of the two resin pieces, with the flashing (excess resin that leaked into the seam of the mold) trimmed off:
It captured the details of the letters perfectly, thanks to the paint-on silicone I pressed into the details! And even the little swirl looks just like its mold mama. I'm so proud. :') The little bubbles around the handle/top of the barrel will be easily filled with some of that epoxy putty that I bought and used during the previous step. Hallelujah!!
Thanks for looking, you guys, and I tell ya, I am so happy right now I could cry. Or dance with glee, or something. I can't believe it finally worked. XD Do let me know what you think, or if you have any questions about this stuff (where to get it, how to use it, etc.).
Much love to you all, and hope you're having a lovely holiday season! <3