Liquid Rubber

Liquid Rubber Mold Making

A Simple Guide to Liquid Rubber for Beginners

Liquid rubber might sound intimidating to beginners, but it’s actually one of the easiest materials to work with once you know the basics. And follow some simple guidelines. Here’s a straightforward guide to help you get started.

What is Liquid Rubber?

Liquid rubber is a versatile material used for making molds, sealing surfaces, and waterproofing. It’s flexible, durable, and can replicate fine details, making it ideal for both DIY projects and many industrial applications. Here are just some of the uses for these types of products.

  • Resin Crafts
  • Candle Making
  • Cooking and Baking
  • Plaster Castings
  • Precast Stone
  • Soap Making
  • Polyester resin casting
  • Prototyping
  • Special Effects and Props
  • Wax Castings
  • Toys And Game Production
  • Restoration Works
  • Medical Devices
  • Prosthetics and Orthotics
  • Dental Applications

There are many others, but most fall in the above categories.

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Liquid Rubber
Silicone Rubber For Crafts

Why Use Liquid Rubber?

  • Precision: Because it captures intricate details in molds.
  • Flexibility: It adapts to irregular shapes and designs of virtually and model.
  • Durability: It can withstand wear, heat, and environmental factors and used many times.

Steps to Use Liquid Rubber for Mold Making:

How to use liquid rubber for mold making and why has many considerations, one of the prime ones is cost. Silicone is better for almost all molds, but it comes at a cost. Then there are several different hardnesses to to choose.

  1. Prepare the Surface:
    • Clean the item you want to mold, ensuring it’s free of dust and grease.
    • Make sure your item or model is finished to the same level of the future pieces you wish to make.
    • Use a suitable spray paint to mimic the finish you want over all of you item/model.
    • Make sure your model and shell box/mold are completely sealed to the pouring surface.
    • Apply a release agent to prevent sticking to your item/model and surrounding box mold.
  2. Mix the Liquid Rubber:
    • Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for mixing. Most liquid rubbers come as two-part compounds.
    • Some are by weight and others by volume, you must make sure of which it is and be accurate.
    • Stir thoroughly to ensure the rubber cures evenly adding the 2 parts in the order stated by the manufacturer.
    • Mix slowly and scrape all the side areas of your container, this will help to keep the air out of the mix and have less chances of miss mixed parts that don’t go off.
  3. Pour and Set:
    • Slowly pour the liquid rubber over the object, going extra slow where the rubber needs to flow under any details, then slowly continue to pour ensuring all details are covered. Doing this slow also helps to keep air bubbles out of your finished mold.
    • Make sure your product is at the recommended temperature as should your workspace while you pour the mold and for the duration of the curing time.
    • Allow it to set for the recommended time (varies by type and temperature).
  4. Demolding and Use:
    • Carefully remove the mold away from your model. Clean and trim away any excess material.
    • Your mold is now ready for use with materials like cast stone, resin, or plaster.
    • Make sure you put a new frame around your mold if needed, and set-up your mold true and level before you make your first piece.

Beginner Tips:

  • Start Small: Practice with a simple and small shape before tackling intricate designs.
  • Common DIY projects using liquid silicone molds: Resin jewelry, candle or soap making.
  • Choose the Right Rubber: Silicone is great for beginners due to its ease of use and detail accuracy. There are many variations, so always check with your supplier for their recommendations for their products.
  • Avoid Moisture: Moisture of any nature as it can interfere with curing, especially for polyurethane rubbers.

Common Mistakes When Working With Rubber.

  • Buying the wrong rubber
  • A poor finish on your item or model.
  • Not sealing your mold box or model, creating leaks and the waste of material.
  • Incorrect mixing creating soft spots in the mold or introducing to much air into the mix creating air bubbles in your mold.

FAQs

  1. What’s the difference between liquid silicone and liquid rubber?
    • Liquid silicone is a type of liquid rubber, but it stands out for its flexibility, heat resistance, use in the food industry, and ability to capture fine details. It’s ideal for mold making, while other rubbers like polyurethane are better for industrial use.
  2. How long does it take for liquid rubber to cure?
    • Curing time varies by type and temperature:
      • Silicone: 4-24 hours.
      • Polyurethane: 30 minutes to several hours.
      • Latex: Typically, several hours to a day.
    • Always check the manufacturer’s instructions.

2a, Tips for Curing Liquid Rubber Molds

  1. Both silicone and polyurethane rubbers can be placed in an oven at a minimum 140 F (60 C) for up to 2 16  hours depending on product to speed up the cure.
  2. Make sure your rubber has been stored at the recommended temperature for a long enough time.
  3. Can I reuse liquid rubber molds?
    • Yes! Silicone and polyurethane molds can be reused many times if stored properly and not overexposed to harsh materials.
    • 100’s of times is possible especially with the silicone molds.
  4. What’s the best liquid rubber for beginners?
    • Silicone is often recommended due to its ease of use, non-toxic nature, and ability to handle intricate designs without tearing. Most do not need degassing and cure quickly.
  5. Can liquid rubber be used outdoors?
    • Yes, but the type matters:
      • EPDM and polyurethane are excellent for outdoor use due to their weather resistance.
      • EPDM is commonly used as a one-piece roofing membrane with some interesting accessories.
      • Silicone may need additional protection for prolonged exposure to UV light, and even then it has been known to breakdown over extended time periods.

Conclusion

Liquid rubber is a versatile and beginner-friendly material with endless applications. By understanding the basics and addressing common questions, you’ll feel confident in using it for your projects. Whether it’s mold making, sealing, or waterproofing, there’s a liquid rubber out there to meet your needs.

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Author Rob

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