oddy

Hello everyone.

I want to ask before I try.

What about using the epoxy resin, like those utilized for floor coating to seal a Hydrocal mold.

It seems to give quite a smooth finish???

Regards
Oddy.

soarrich

My Feedback: (98)

I don't think that's the way to go. When I did mine I used regular 105/205 WEST epoxy. You want the epoxy to soak into the Hydrocal, then you try to wipe it all out, I waited about 5 minutes to let it soak. You are just trying to toughen up the Hydrocal, it's already very smooth.

OzMo

My Feedback: (3)

Whats the difference in the two products? I know very little on this topic so I am asking as well. Seems the floor stuff is hard enough.

soarrich

My Feedback: (98)

I've never used the floor stuff, but if it's used to cover floors I doubt if you can get it in pints where the WEST you can get a small can of it.
If you are going to use this you might want to get Composite Molding Made Easy with Terry Luckenbach, it will really help you out.

MarkGrabowski

Rich, when using Hydrocal to make molds, are there any special requirements for mold release agents different than using epoxy to mold?
Assume I'd be using Partall and PVA sprayed on... are these ok to use with hydrocal?
Other than being somewhat weaker, any difference in how the molds turn out if you use regular plaster?

soarrich

My Feedback: (98)

Well the way I did it was like in the DVD I mentioned. I used blue foam for the plug painted with water based polyurethane, no parting agent. PVA is water soluble it won't work with Hydrocal. I actually used Ultracal 30.
The Ultracal 30 is much harder than plaster, so hard my molds actually rang like a bell.

If your going to do this invest in the DVD, it will save you time and money.