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Post by Frustrated and Sad on Aug 27, 2019 20:47:59 GMT -5
I’m not doing so well. Totally upset. " src="//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/angry.png"> I went to make several molds of several sculpted pieces last night using extra strength silicone mold making material- the pink stuff. I mixed up the two ingredients as indicated, 10:1. I think something with my scale was off, I noticed the second batch (I needed a bit more) seemed to say it was as much as the first even though the container was less full. So right there was my clue this may not work. I don’t know what is wrong with my scale or why it was giving off numbers, but sure enough after 18+ hours I check and all the molds are still goopy wet. Nothing set. So i’ve Got a few questions, and hoping someone can help me out..... Is there any way to remedy this, or did I just waste $75 worth of silicone? If I wait a few more hours will it harden up? Can I try and add more catalyst, somehow? Second question is, if it won’t harden at all, how do I get the goop off my sculpted pieces? They are made out of super sculpey, and it seems to me the silicone sometimes can soften the cured cay and cause it to crumble. I’m really worried weeks worth of work in sculpting these pieces is ruined as well. Is there any way to clean them off so that I can try again? How do I clean this stuff off? I should note this this is not the first time I’ve made molds using this product. All the other times everything went fine. I think something screwy happened with my scale. Any help or guidance would be much appreciated.
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Post by Brian on Aug 28, 2019 6:44:39 GMT -5
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Post by Frustrated and Sad on Aug 28, 2019 23:56:06 GMT -5
Thanks so much for that link.
Checked the molds this morning- they were a bit more firm, so I’m giving it more hours. If that doesn’t work I may try what was in the thread you sent.
I’ve not got a chance to check the scale yet, but will do that very definitely. Something certainly is wonky with it.
One thing I did find out is you’re not supposed to use latex gloves while working with silicone. Well, guess what I was wearing while mixing it all up?.....AND I did touch the mix a few times, so that might be it. I never knew this before, and several times made silicone molds wearing the latex gloves. I guess I just never contaminated the mix, or was just very lucky as I heard even having that in the same room could effect the mold setting up. I’m not sure I could reuse the mix like was said on the thread that you posted because I heard once the sulphuric in the latex makes contact with the silicone it won’t ever set. But I may try anyway. As I stated, it’s set up a bit more than yesterday. I think this happened to me once before but it had set eventually. However, it didn’t take that much longer than said set time, while this is going about it slowly.
Looks like I may have to scrap this. Lesson learned, I hope. I’ll be writing on the silicone containers in big black chunky marker “DO NOT USE LATEX GLOVES” .
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Post by notoes on Aug 29, 2019 10:36:13 GMT -5
Actually the gloves aren't as bad as you'd think, I only use disposable latex gloves (cheapest and thinnest ones there are to boot) and haven't had trouble with the silicone and most of what I use is the Plat 25. I can't really use non-latex gloves as something about them does something to my hands and something in the way they're made just interferes with how I work in them and bothers my hands to the point that I have to take them off (yup, I'm weird). But most people don't have the same problem as I do, so try a couple different kinds and see what works best for you - try to find the smallest pack of each kind of gloves so you don't waste a lot of money on ones that may or may not work for you. Now I will say that a thick pair like dish washing gloves would be one kind I wouldn't try to use - I use those with dishes and know from that, that they won't be good for using with the silicone.
But definitely, if your scale is acting up it will throw off the mix ratio which will cause problems. With the 10:1 ratio, you have to be even more exact than with the Plat 25 or it will end up as a mess. If it's hardened up at least a little more, then try putting it in a warm place (70 degrees or so) or giving it a little extra heat. I wouldn't bake it but putting it under a warm lamp is fine. And if you have to clean it off, let us know and we'll give you pointers on the best way to do that.
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Post by Frustrated and Sad on Aug 30, 2019 0:39:35 GMT -5
Thanks for your post as well moderator.
I’m having a bit more luck. It’s solidified some more. I’m going to give it a bit more time.
I was using the cheap disposable latex gloves as well. I didn’t get to check on it until this evening, but will try and get a lamp on it for some heat. We’re having a bit of a cold spell with humidity right now, so that could be an issue as well. I still think it’s my scale, mainly. I’m hoping to get a chance to check it this weekend. I’ll get back on this thread and let you know what happened. Thank you so much for your tips and encouragement. It’s so frustrating, disappointing and demotivating to have this happen.
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Post by Brian on Aug 30, 2019 6:58:51 GMT -5
Make sure that you do not have a fan blowing air across the scales .... even the smallest amount of air blowing across the scales will upset the readings (wind,ceiling fan, box fan, etc. etc.)
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Post by notoes on Aug 30, 2019 7:03:19 GMT -5
You're very welcome, we're here to help. I know too well the feeling of knowing something should go smoothly but just isn't so my "stubborn streak" comes out to make it work right or ask for help fixing it. It's why I try to help where I can so that others don't get frustrated enough to give up because they might be the person who helps me when I'm stuck.
If it's cold that will definitely slow down the cure. Having a good scale is very important, though for a time I wasn't sure mine was good until I called the manufacturer's customer service and learned how to do a reset on it. Now I have no problem with it.
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Post by Frustrated and Sad on Sept 3, 2019 21:22:59 GMT -5
Well, it does seem like the scale is the culprit. I didn’t even know it took batteries, and it’s saying the battery is low.
But I need further assistance..not sure if anyone can help. I waited a few more days to see if it would harden up...it did, ...a bit. Some molds more than others. I think this is because my second smaller extra batch I made I think was made ok. It was just the first larger batch that was bad. Out of 6 molds, only one was ok and us usable. The problem is now that the sculpey cured sculpted pieces now have half-set goopy silicone all over them. How do I get this off so that I can try again? Is there a particular cleaner I could use to make the job easier, or do I have to pick it off little by little? I spent three weeks sculpting all the pieces and another half week prepping the half-mold boxes. I’d really hate to throw them away. I’m not sure what I could use that won’t cause harm to the sculpted pieces.
Oh, and the plasticine that I used in the half mold boxes- should I just throw it all out? It too has goop all over it. I’d reuse the silicone as mentioned before but it also has plasticine bits in it now, so I’m guessing it can’t be reused?
Super awful mess. I spent a lot of time washing it off my hands. I’m not looking forward to doing this again! I hope I won’t have any more problems. I think I’ll do smaller batches from here on out.
Thanks so much to all the replies. You’ve really helped me a lot and not feel so down and alone in this quandary. I appreciate it so much.
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Post by Brian on Sept 4, 2019 21:26:32 GMT -5
For your Silicone clean up use one of the fallowing....
91 to 97% Alcohol .....the rubbing type Mineral Spirits ..... usually found in the paint section at better hardware and home improvement stores everywhere Acetone......found at the same location as above
As far as the plasticine goes, try using one of the above on a small piece of plasticine...if nothing happens to the plasticine i.e turns it to something unusable, then you are good to go....I've never used plasticine, so be sure and let us all know what happens.
Sounds like your getting things turned around and headed in the right direction.
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Post by notoes on Sept 5, 2019 18:21:03 GMT -5
I'd like to add that you can also use De-greasing Wipes and hand sanitizer if you find the Alcohol, Mineral Spirits, and Acetone too strong/rough on the pieces - be sure that when you try any of these in a well ventilated area (the last two especially) and be careful not to spill or splash them on anything you don't want ruined. I use Lysol De-greasing Wipes to clean up my work area and tools after pouring Plat 25 and it does a pretty decent job for me.
You can also get 100% Acetone in the nail polish remover area - I got some to try making 3D filament glue (haven't tried it yet though) and that was where I found it. Also be sure to test any cleaning on a non-noticeable spot you don't mind messing up just in case it happens to ruin the piece.
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Post by Frustrated and Sad on Sept 6, 2019 13:46:39 GMT -5
Notoes and Brian,
Thank you for those suggestions and tips!
I used the rubbing alcohol. It worked but geeez that silicone doesn’t give up easily! All the pieces are now cleaned. Unfortunately I think the silicone soaks into the sculpey (baked and cured) and softens it up- I have two cracked pieces, but as long as they don’t start to crumble and the next mold making session goes well, it looks as if all is saved.
Thanks again to all of you who answered. I appreciate it so much!
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Post by notoes on Sept 12, 2019 6:29:30 GMT -5
You're very welcome and let us know how it comes out.
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Post by Erikel on Nov 23, 2022 13:21:13 GMT -5
If you used the type of silicone mold maker that reacts to sulphur, some brands of plasticine type non-hardening clay do contain sulphur &/or other stuff that inhibit the curing process, and that could be the problem. I saw that Alumilite is now offering a non-creative non-hardening clay, which made me think of it.
There are also many different kinds of non-latex gloves like nitrile, vinyl, etc. You can probably find a non-latex alternative that still works well. Pharmacy chains sometimes have open boxes for purchasing single gloves or sizing, where you can feel the material, buy a sample, maybe try them on before buying. (Or they did before COVID.) The blue ones make our hands sweat at work, icky. The ones I like came with hair dye & are white with a frosted-glass look & texture, so they are non-stick without powder in them, but they were a one-off clearance thing in a baggie, so I have no idea what they're made of & will be sad when I run out.
Not much help, but keep trying & learning!🙂
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