Looking for aluminum cold cast source within the U.S.

[Cruzer]

Hey guys, I'm looking for a reliable source within the U.S. to purchase some aluminum cold cast materials. All sorts of sources pop up when I do a web search, however, I'm looking for a source that somebody has already used and therefore knows the stuff is going to give me a Jango armor-like finish.

Thanks

 

[tubachris85x]

I'd say to contact fettpride, but we know thats hard to do

 

[drokkul]

Alumilite, maybe?

 

[Cruzer]

Alumilite, maybe?

Thanks, I contacted them and the gal said their stuff wouldn't replicate the Jango color.
I may have to do the overseas thing and pay lots of $$$ for shipping.

 

[General Grievous]

Don't know if you already read this thread but:
http://www.thedentedhelmet.com/showthread.php?t=14485&highlight=cold+cast
I did a Google search for clear polyester layup resin and found several places that carried it and some in California.
Hope this helps.
Wayne

 

[Cruzer]

Wow, thank you very much. I know FP is a master when it comes to this kind'a stuff!

Thanks again. Very helpful bit of insight there!

 

[General Grievous]

No Problem!
That's what I'm here for!
Wayne

 

[Qthooga]

I knew I had a bookmark for this somewhere. I've done pewter cold casting before with some success, but since I didn't know what I was doing, it didn't come out too well. I'm sure round 2 will turn out better.

Anyhow, Smooth-on has a small tutorial on how cold casting works: http://www.smooth-on.com/casting.htm#Metal

And, it doesn't look like they have aluminum powder, but they do have nickel, and that should give a really nice sheen once polished up. I'd only buy the 1 pound bottle and test it out first. If you don't like the color, you'll at least have something shiney to keep afterwards

 

[tubachris85x]

hmm...starter kits...

 

[Cruzer]

Thanks guys.
Yesterday, I placed an order with these guys for clear resin and aluminum filler.
http://www.eagerplastics.com/glass.htm

Hopefully it's what I'm looking for.

 

[tubachris85x]

Thanks guys.
Yesterday, I placed an order with these guys for clear resin and aluminum filler.
http://www.eagerplastics.com/glass.htm

Hopefully it's what I'm looking for.

From that list, what type of resin would you suggest for general prop-fiberglassing, i.e, for helmet, guants, etc.? Thanks!

-tubachris

 

[Cruzer]

I would save yourself some $$ on shipping costs and just get the Bondo brand of fiberglass resin bought at Home Depot, Lowes, and many other places. It's given me great results on my backplates and kid gauntlets.

 

[tubachris85x]

I would save yourself some $$ on shipping costs and just get the Bondo brand of fiberglass resin bought at Home Depot, Lowes, and many other places. It's given me great results on my backplates and kid gauntlets.

LOL Well that makes it much easier for me then! I was wondering about using that, but wasnt too sure of the quality of it. Thanks cruzer

-tubachris

 

[Cruzer]

I received the cold cast materials yesterday and got right on doing a test run. They came out a little dark so it looks like I need to up the proportion of aluminum powder quite a bit more.

Pics are with flash and without.

 

[pghfett]

Did you take some steel wool to them yet or are they just freshly pulled ?
I'm pretty sure you can "buff up" the pieces quite a bit with some steel wool.

 

[GCNgamer128]

Those look pretty nice I can't wait to see the finished ones when you get the level of aluminum powder correct!

 

[Cruzer]

Did you take some steel wool to them yet or are they just freshly pulled ?
I'm pretty sure you can "buff up" the pieces quite a bit with some steel wool.

Yes, and yes, but I only took the steel wool to the top parts of the piece because I didn't want to waste too much energy on them if the aluminum content wasn't high enough in the first place. This was at 66% proportion aluminum to resin. The next test run is at 90% and the first coat is already drying.

I can't wait to see the finished ones when you get the level of aluminum powder correct!

Yeah, I'm confident the second test run will provide much better results because of the higher aluminum content. Right away I noticed the wet mixture was lighter in color. However, I've already started to contemplate how I'm going to get that toned down/whitish finish that's seen on the original Jango gauntlets. I'm probably going to do a test run with some white casting resin and the same 90% aluminum ratio mixture, and see what I get.

I'll keep you guys updated.
thanks

 

[Laan]

Dang, I think it looks nice the way it is. Yeah I know its not Jango accurate, but I like it. Great work C.

 

[Cruzer]

Here are some better pics taken this afternoon outside in the daylight. The first four are in muted sunlight and the last one in direct sunlight. The top shell hasn't been touched with steel wool.

enjoy

 

[NovallTalon]

OK...so when is this for buying? =D