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Post by artdragon on Mar 5, 2016 15:28:50 GMT -5
I have a problem with storing the amazing mold rubber. Specifically, the pink catalyst. I've had it stored in the original box in a cabinet. Our house stays pretty steady between 68 and 70 degrees. I'm not sure of the humidity. But opening the original packaging, after a few months, I've noticed that the catalyst has crystalized inside the bottle. I was wondering if there was a way to return it to its original consistency or if I'm forced to buy another kit all together. The base has kept it's original consistency just fine.
Help is greatly appreciated. Thank you!
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Post by carol - Alumilite Corp on Mar 7, 2016 16:49:55 GMT -5
Artdragon,
The shelf life on silicone is right around 6-8 months typically. With the base it will thicken and not move well/easy when attempting to stir it. The catalyst with age can sometimes start to crystalize a little bit or if the lid was left off. If you would email me I would be happy to send you a new catalyst.
Regards,
Carol
carol@alumilite.com
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Post by curly Al on Mar 17, 2016 0:39:10 GMT -5
I too had the problem with the catalyst....I made a perfect mold when I got the kit, then, 4 months later the catalyst had crystalized - it looked like a hard plug of pink in a solution. I squeezed it and it broke into chunks in the bottle. The lid was tight enough to be tough to open.
Al @ illeen5@hotmail.com
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Post by mike on Mar 18, 2016 7:59:12 GMT -5
Moisture is what will react with the catalyst to make it harden. Seems strange that it would happen since the caps were tight and it was sealed well. The fact that it was tough to open means the moisture also reacted with the residue around the threads in the cap (just like a super glue bottle) and crystalizes. Out of curiosity, how much catalyst was left ... 1/4, 1/2, 3/4?
Mike
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Post by artdragon on Mar 28, 2016 8:50:57 GMT -5
Mine was about 3/4 or more full
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Post by mike on Mar 28, 2016 9:05:57 GMT -5
Hmm, normally I would expect it to be much less volume to it for moisture to be able to react the entire 3/4 of a bottle ... especially with the lid tight. We did a test not long ago (winter months in Mich are pretty dry) where we poured some catalyst into a cup and left it open or exposed to the air for a week, then mixed it. Even though it was ever so slightly starting to skin over, it mixed and cured fine.
If you still have base left and need another catalyst, email me from the email address you listed above and I will send you a replacement so you have enough for your remaining base.
thx,
Mike
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Post by Al again on Mar 28, 2016 13:32:16 GMT -5
I too had the problem with the catalyst....I made a perfect mold when I got the kit, then, 4 months later the catalyst had crystalized - it looked like a hard plug of pink in a solution. I squeezed it and it broke into chunks in the bottle. The lid was tight enough to be tough to open. Al @ illeen5@hotmail.com Hey, I checked and found I purchased the product over a year ago!!! Carol followed up my email, I appreciate it. Al
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Post by artdragon on Apr 3, 2016 7:27:03 GMT -5
I was able to get a replacement catalyst by calling your office but I now have more catalyst than base  |
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Post by lordraptor1 on May 12, 2016 4:57:44 GMT -5
you should be so lucky i have bought quickset kits new and had to take them back because of crystalissed catalyst, and/or hardened base. and it happens regulary here in oklahoma. i just bought yet another kit from my local hobby lobby and although i can make the molds ( barely) when opening up a brand new sealed quickset rtv kit i was greeted with a catalyst that looks like it is seperating ( and yes i have pics on my cell phone to prove it). i have to be honest and say that in my personal experiance with the alumilite product lines i have alway ran into one issue or another with them, now whether this is because of climate, or the way hobby lobby handles the product once they get it is anyones guess but i can only expect ( at most) a 25% success rate total with alumilite which is extremely disappointed, hopefully the company can look into how hobby lobby handles it and correct the issue otherwise it will turn into a mail order only thing with my resin and mold making stuff and at that point im not limited to alumilite. i am sure others have great success with the product ( at least they do in the vids) but sadly i cant seem to. also on a side note for those that are making say an 8"tall super hero/ muscular typ figure or sculpt tp mold and cast be advised you will need a LOT of the quickset kits and 32 oz. RC-3 kits to make one making alumilite to costly ( been through 2 rc-3 kits and 2 quickset rtv kits so far but that is in part to it being cast in pieces to assemble later ( like a model kit).
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Post by carol - Alumilite Corp on May 17, 2016 14:04:04 GMT -5
Good Afternoon Lord Raptor,
I would be happy to send you another catalyst any time you ever need it, if it has crystallized. (I don't need your pictures) I would ask you call or contact us via email.
Hobby Lobby orders through their corporate offices on a regular basis, for the most part I would have to believe the majority of their stores restock quit regularly. I am sure there could be some stores that do not sell the products as fast as some others, possibly giving some issues with shelf life.
Lord Raptor for the 8" tall super hero mold, I would suggest using the HS silicone or the Amazing Mold Rubber which are both available from us or Hobby Lobby. There is a volume calculator on the website that will help you determine how much product, both silicone and resin you will need for your projects prior to starting them. People have been pleased with this information to assist them in their monetary out put before starting an application.
Lord Raptor please always feel free to call (800-447-9344) with any questions you need answered. We would be happy to help with tips, techniques, advise, or a walk through to help you achieve more successes in your mold making and casting applications. That is why we are here Lord Raptor we pride ourselves on our products as well as our customer service.
Have a great day and hope to hear from you.
Regards,
Carol
800-447-9344
carol@alumilite.com
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Post by SkunK on Dec 18, 2016 19:45:19 GMT -5
I recently trashed one full kit due to this and I still have one new kit with unopened containers that have just noticed is also the same way! Not cool man! I am so far behind now and I dont want to waste anymore $. I am now $60 in the hole and lost a lot of time.
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Post by mike on Dec 19, 2016 11:02:44 GMT -5
SkunK, please contact us if you ever have issues. Only way we can help is to know about it.
thx,
Mike
800 447-9344
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Post by lootnbooty on Dec 8, 2017 23:24:45 GMT -5
I am also experiencing this problem. I have 4 unopened boxes and all have solidified catalyst. My daughter mixed up two batches from two different boxes and could not get it to work. this is a waste of a lot of money. the bigger problem is she is molding a sculpture that I need to cast for christmas and now I have to drive 24 miles to get a new box! these things are $21 I would think that maybe R&D could do better for a product of this magnitude!
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Post by notoes on Dec 9, 2017 16:46:19 GMT -5
lordraptor1 - have you cast a full body cast of an 8" action figure? And if so, what resin did you use?
I ask because I ran into a problem casting a 6" full body action figure with skinny arms and legs and had to break my mold down into a three piece mold so that my RC-3 would stop getting bubbles due to air being trapped in the two piece mold. The figure also had spiky hair with upturned ends that would give me bubbles where I didn't want so I'm looking into a resin with longer open time.
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Post by carol - Alumilite Corp on Dec 22, 2017 8:25:20 GMT -5
If you would be so kind as to call we can discuss this issue and help you with resolutions to your problems. Pressure pots possible could be an answer to some of these issues, venting the molds, different type of silicone... we can help I am sure with more information from you. We can also replace product if need be.
Happy Holidays to you all.
Warmest Regards,
Carol
800-447-9344
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