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Post by resinjunky on Mar 24, 2019 13:27:39 GMT -5
Just wondering if anyone here has ever used Stoner Urethane Mold release for Alumalite Amazing Clear Cast and if so, how did it work? The reason I ask is because I have already ordered the previously mentioned and THEN discovered its not the recommended kind for Epoxy Resins, lol. Thank you for any replies.  |
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Post by notoes on Mar 24, 2019 16:35:02 GMT -5
Actually if you're using a silicone mold, you don't necessarily NEED a release as it won't stick to the silicone (nothing really sticks to silicone except silicone). I halfway never use a release with any of my castings and I've done plenty of the Clear in silicone molds and once they hit "non-sticky" cured stage, they pop right out. Off the top of my head, I can't remember what the Stoner is used on but all the resins come out just fine from a silicone mold without a release. Even the Flex series will come out without a release but the key here is to use a silicone mold. Now I do use a release if I'm making a two part mold but I put that between the two mold halves so they don't stick together and all I use is Vaseline. I hope this helps somewhat.
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Post by Resin Junky on Mar 30, 2019 18:45:14 GMT -5
Thank you very much, that helps a lot. I have found that using the release agent in any type of mold makes the surface of the cast come out cloudy and it has to be sanded and polished. If I do not use the release agent they come out almost as clear as glass with no sanding or polishing needed. Not using it is no problem as long as I'm using a silicone mold. I wonder if I would need release agent on a mold made from HDPE that has a VERY smooth surface?
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Post by notoes on Mar 31, 2019 6:25:42 GMT -5
For HDPE, you most probably need a release but if it happens to be flexible you may not need one - I haven't used it as a mold as I only use silicone as molds when pouring resin. Now that said, most resins heat up during curing and the Clear doesn't get as warm as RC-3 but it DOES heat up a little so be sure to test a piece that you don't care if the Clear melts it. Also there is a big chance the Clear will bond with the HDPE mold (in addition to possibly melting it).
Personally what I would do is copy the HDPE mold and use a silicone mold instead. I have successfully copied plastic chocolate molds into silicone molds without hurting the original plastic molds or losing any details. If the surface texture is something you need, I would pour one of the liquid silicones into the mold and use that as the new original to make the silicone copy mold. Now you would need a release when pouring the silicone over a silicone original but a very thin coat won't hurt the surface texture being transferred to the new mold. You could also use air dry clay (because you don't have to bake it) in the HDPE mold to make a new original to pour silicone over to make the new mold.
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Post by resinjunky on Apr 6, 2019 20:49:38 GMT -5
I have tried the Amazing Clear Cast in the HDPE mould and it doesn't stick to it at all. I have also discovered (by reading a lot on the subject) that almost nothing sticks to HDPE plastic. I know for sure that Alumilite Amazing Clear Cast will come right out of HDPE mould without even using any release agent! I couldn't be happier with the results. I will go with only HDPE moulds (if I can find them in the form I need) from now on! Silicone moulds are excellent, but I find them not to be structurally strong enough for large pours.
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Post by notoes on Apr 7, 2019 9:39:23 GMT -5
That is good to know as sometimes I overlook some molds that may be HDPE as I can't tell what they're made of and don't want to take the time to copy them into silicone.
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