learning to fiberglass

Oh, no way man, no toes stepped on here. I'm still new to all of this molding business. So I am a new guy when it comes to fg casting from molds. I just consider myself very lucky that some prop people took me under their wings and showed me how they did it. For the most part I just sat back and watched them work. But I would love to try molding a few pieces on my own one day, but your words ring very true...the silicone is just too dang expensive for those of us not in the industry buying it by the barrelfulls. And yeah, I'm sure they make up for the ample use of silicone big time doing those big blockbuster movies and gett'n paid. In the pic you can see just a hint of the molds stacked up in the back.

And I am going to try your suggestion about tamping some of the matted kind of cloth in the negatives, especially in the small areas at the very peaks of the gauntlet tops to decrease the resin that fills up those areas. Really, thanks for the tips...cuz I'm really going to use them , and I might give it one more try with the matted stuff since you recommended it, maybe I just wasn't doing it right, so I'll see how it goes this second time around.

I'm also trying to make the work that it takes to cast these minimal so that I can get these out to the TDH dads with Fett costuming kids at a very low cost. So, I'm trying to keep this fun at the same time. And this project won't be a $$ maker for me, I just want to be able to share what I was able to make with other Dads.

Oh, and I do want to try some of that grey gel coat too, this white stuff has to be sprayed on and it's a pain to clean the spray gun afterwards.

Naw, come on FP, my toes are good! I appreciate any advice from you.
And I'm really looking forward to that Jango helmet. I was the first to post interest so hopefully I'm towards the top of the list...hopefully .

Now I've hijacked your thread Aldle!

Lorenzo

Cruzer said:

Oh, no way man, no toes stepped on here. I'm still new to all of this molding business. So I am a new guy when it comes to fg casting from molds. I just consider myself very lucky that some prop people took me under their wings and showed me how they did it. For the most part I just sat back and watched them work. But I would love to try molding a few pieces on my own one day, but your words ring very true...the silicone is just too dang expensive for those of us not in the industry buying it by the barrelfulls. And yeah, I'm sure they make up for the ample use of silicone big time doing those big blockbuster movies and gett'n paid.

And I am going to try your suggestion about tamping some of the matted kind of cloth in the negatives, especially in the small areas at the very peaks of the gauntlet tops to decrease the resin that fills up those areas. Really, thanks for the tips...cuz I'm really going to use them , and I might give it one more try with the matted stuff since you recommended it, maybe I just wasn't doing it right, so I'll see how it goes this second time around.

I'm also trying to make the work that it takes to cast these minimal so that I can get these out to the TDH dads with Fett costuming kids at a very low cost. So, I'm trying to keep this fun at the same time. And this project won't be a $$ maker for me, I just want to be able to share what I was able to make with other Dads.

Oh, and I do want to try some of that grey gel coat too, this white stuff has to be sprayed on and it's a pain to clean the sray gun afterwards.

Naw, come on FP, my toes are good! I appreciate any advice from you.
And I'm really looking forward to that Jango helmet. I posted first so hopefully that means I should be towards the top of the list...hopefully .

Now, I've hijacked your thread Aldle!

Click to expand...

It's all good then. I couldn't tell if you were offended

If you use the stranded mat, like the packaged "Bondo" brand mat at the auto parts store, be sure to work it a bit in your hands. Twist it, and turn it, and pull at it to losen it up a bit before using it. It will make it easier to "wet out". And of course you can pull as few or as many strands from it as you feel needed for any particular application. If you're using the pro's stuff at the shop, they'll most likely have different weights for you to use, so you won't have to play with it as much. If you don't want to use all stranded, just use the stranded for detail, and back it with cloth.

As far as the gelcoat goes, they can all be sprayed, or brushed. The shops prefer to spray usually. Personally, I prefer brush up application on small items like your gauntlets. You're right, the clean-up of the guns are a pain Your guys can get gray gelcoat I'm sure. Or, you can take the white, and ad black polyester compatible pigment if desired to make gray.


Don't worry about the helmet bud

FP

Thank-you Cruzer and Fettpride for sharing that info! Good stuff guys!

Yes, thanks alot.

Hey! I reconize that room! I've been there! There's more molds in there than an international cheese party!

So, if you use a silicone mold you do not need a release agent ?
Or do you only use that stuff on clay.
On a side note, what do you use for a release agent?
Wow............no clue here.....sorry