Recasting Heads

[MagicOfLego]

Hi guys, I'm a beginner customizer, and I really want to try to repaint the DCD joker's head. I dont want to mess it up though. I would like to know how to recast heads fairly cheaply, but with good quality. I was thinking gelatin might work, but I'm not sure. Help?

 

[villainsfan42]

buy this, and watch the videos the have on the site...

https://www.smooth-on.com/index.php?cPath=4_1217

 

[MagicOfLego]

buy this, and watch the videos the have on the site...

https://www.smooth-on.com/index.php?cPath=4_1217

Do you know if they sell it in stores? I'm guessing they might have it in Michaels. Also, I was thinking in the $0-$30 range, but oh well....

 

[samueljd]

Well you get what you pay for.

 

[samueljd]

buy this, and watch the videos the have on the site...

https://www.smooth-on.com/index.php?cPath=4_1217

BTW, How's it worked out for you?

 

[villainsfan42]

Do you know if they sell it in stores? I'm guessing they might have it in Michaels. Also, I was thinking in the $0-$30 range, but oh well....

sorry, i have no idea.
just buy it of the link i posted. it doesn't take to long to arrive.

BTW, How's it worked out for you?

great. i love the silicone, and i like the resin...but it doesn't thrill me...i'm trying to find an alternative better resin.
but the silicone is really great.

 

[samueljd]

sorry, i have no idea.
just buy it of the link i posted. it doesn't take to long to arrive.

great. i love the silicone, and i like the resin...but it doesn't thrill me...i'm trying to find an alternative better resin.
but the silicone is really great.

So what issues have you had with the resin? I might try something else depending on the problems.

 

[villainsfan42]

So what issues have you had with the resin? I might try something else depending on the problems.

so far i have only done one one part mold, for batarangs, and a two-part mold for a head.

it captures every last detail, but the plastic is to hard, it chips, and the bottom of the neck is not flat. i also cant get it onto my ht body easily, without feeling like it's going to break. i just bought a dremel though, so i will be experimenting, and it was probably bad, since it was my first casted head ever. next time i will only do one part mold, and dremel out the neck. so i'll tell you how it works then.

 

[samueljd]

so far i have only done one one part mold, for batarangs, and a two-part mold for a head.

it captures every last detail, but the plastic is to hard, it chips, and the bottom of the neck is not flat. i also cant get it onto my ht body easily, without feeling like it's going to break. i just bought a dremel though, so i will be experimenting, and it was probably bad, since it was my first casted head ever. next time i will only do one part mold, and dremel out the neck. so i'll tell you how it works then.

Any recommendations on a dremel to use.

 

[villainsfan42]

Any recommendations on a dremel to use.

i have no idea if it's good or not, but i just bought one as a beginner.
the dremel 100. it's on amazon.com

 

[samueljd]

Good info. Thanks.

 

[Anzik]

Villains, did you make sure your resin was mixed thoroughly? I've never had a problem with smooth cast chipping. make sure it has been shaken thoroughly immediately before you mix it, don't let it sit and settle again.

 

[villainsfan42]

Villains, did you make sure your resin was mixed thoroughly? I've never had a problem with smooth cast chipping. make sure it has been shaken thoroughly immediately before you mix it, don't let it sit and settle again.

i mixed it for approx. 3 minutes, like it said to do. either way, it was my first time, and i will try over and over again.

 

[MagicOfLego]

Hey guys, not sure if this would be a bump, but I've found some shatter-proof plaster and I might use that. I bought it originall for just school, but now I'm thinking it would work alright for recasting heads. I most likely will wait 'til my b-day to get the more professional stuff....

 

[villainsfan42]

Hey guys, not sure if this would be a bump, but I've found some shatter-proof plaster and I might use that. I bought it originall for just school, but now I'm thinking it would work alright for recasting heads. I most likely will wait 'til my b-day to get the more professional stuff....

shatter-proof plaster?

 

[samueljd]

shatter-proof plaster?

I don't think that would be the best stuff for recasting molds either. The silicone peels right off and will capture the full detail. Plaster is porous and doesn't give way for removal.

 

[MagicOfLego]

I don't think that would be the best stuff for recasting molds either. The silicone peels right off and will capture the full detail. Plaster is porous and doesn't give way for removal.

Oh sorry, I put plaster, but I really dont know what it is. It's almost kind of rubbery, but still on the hard side. i'm not sure....

 

[BillyB]

Hey, just wanted to share some info. I've been playing around with some different molds and resins.
Hobby Lobby carries both mold making material and resins from Allumilite.
They have two types of mold material.
One is a quick set that takes about 4 hours to set.
Pros- Curing time and very little if no air bubbles if you're not using a pressure pot.
Cons-Price. It's about $30 for a 1lb tub. Also, its a harder rubber which can break down or tear after only a few casts.

The other one they carry is a more flexible material.
Great for catching fine detail and holds up after dozens of casts. Only problem is that it very hard to get all of the air bubbles out when curing without a vacuum or pressure pot. Price is also $30 for the same amount as above.

The Allumilite resin is easy to mix and cure and is very strong but it is also very thick stuff. Doesn't always get into tight areas. It's also about $30.

I recently found some product online at Hobbysilicone.com that I really like.
The resin is fantastic. Very thin when mixing and gets into all of the little corners without a problem. It's also got just a hint of flexability to it, so it won't easily snap or break. The other thing is it's about $10 cheaper than the Allumilite.
The mold making material I got from them is also nice. They have several different levels of silicone. They recommended the medium strength which like the second Allumilite version was very flexable and reusable but had a 24-48 hour cure time and had a lot of tiny air bubbles in the finished mold.
You also get 2lbs for the same price of the 1lb Allumilite brand.
Check out there website and you can even call or email the guy with any or all questions. He was very helpful.
Highly recommend the resin!

 

[samueljd]

Any recommendations for pressure/vacuum pots?

 

[villainsfan42]

Hey, just wanted to share some info. I've been playing around with some different molds and resins.
Hobby Lobby carries both mold making material and resins from Allumilite.
They have two types of mold material.
One is a quick set that takes about 4 hours to set.
Pros- Curing time and very little if no air bubbles if you're not using a pressure pot.
Cons-Price. It's about $30 for a 1lb tub. Also, its a harder rubber which can break down or tear after only a few casts.

The other one they carry is a more flexible material.
Great for catching fine detail and holds up after dozens of casts. Only problem is that it very hard to get all of the air bubbles out when curing without a vacuum or pressure pot. Price is also $30 for the same amount as above.

The Allumilite resin is easy to mix and cure and is very strong but it is also very thick stuff. Doesn't always get into tight areas. It's also about $30.

I recently found some product online at Hobbysilicone.com that I really like.
The resin is fantastic. Very thin when mixing and gets into all of the little corners without a problem. It's also got just a hint of flexability to it, so it won't easily snap or break. The other thing is it's about $10 cheaper than the Allumilite.
The mold making material I got from them is also nice. They have several different levels of silicone. They recommended the medium strength which like the second Allumilite version was very flexable and reusable but had a 24-48 hour cure time and had a lot of tiny air bubbles in the finished mold.
You also get 2lbs for the same price of the 1lb Allumilite brand.
Check out there website and you can even call or email the guy with any or all questions. He was very helpful.
Highly recommend the resin!

which resin are you talking about?
they have a bunch on their site.

is it the Architectural Flexible Casting Resin?