FOAM iT 3

[Torii Cooper]

I'm having trouble with FOAM iT 3 withering like an old apple. I have mixed and measured properly and applied back preasure with a small pressure release hole. any one have the same problem and know what i can do about it?

[Rojellio]

What temperature was the chemical?

The ideal reaction is going to be in the 70- 75 F range. The hotter it is, the faster your reaction times.

Moisture is a primary cause of cure inhibition.

Perhaps you are using the wrong release agent.

It is entirely possible that you received a batch of off spec material.

I dont remember offhand but I think smooth-on might have a crisis hotline you can call.

[sculptor]

I avoid smooth-on products

I had used their liquid rubber for molds of 2 major and 5 minor works in the 80s

Within a few months the stuff turned back into a gooey toxic mess that stuck to everything and even ate into the fiberglass mother molds, destroying hundreds of hours of my efforts, and wasting no small amount of money.

What should have been molds capable of producing multiple castings turned into worthless messes that only produced one copy.

Repeated attempts to contact the company regarding their liability went unanswered.

If I am ever tempted to buy another of their products, just go ahead and shoot me.

[BMBourgoyne]

I had a similar problem the first time I used it, and I'm pretty sure it was a contamination problem-- the bucket I mixed it was not a new bucket, and apparently had some residual release agent still in it (I suspect) even though I thought I had cleaned it thoroughly. Apparently, the foam's air bubbles can breakback down if contaminated with some types of release agents (I seem to remember silicon based ones can cause it, but could be wrong)-- double check that you are using the recommended release for foam, and mix in new buckets every time. I've since only used the foam to back fill hollow plastic casts, or sprayed the mold with primer before casting (creating a barrier between the release and the foam).

Let us know if this might be the problem. I'm curious to know if that was indeed the problem for me, since it has not re-occurred.

Brad

[Torii Cooper]

Thanks for the advice. I think the temprature was around 75-80. I'm using a release approperate to urathane, i cannot think of the name off hand. But it is a non-silicone, soap and wax base. i believe it shrivled because i roughly pulled it from the mold before it had a chance to fully cure. the label said 3 hours, but i think it needs alot longer. since i'm not in a hurry i'm leaving the cast in the mold overnight just to make sure. the rough handeling of it, i believe made the air bubbles at it's core colapse. yes i should be more gentel, but it cannot be helped as i'm pulling the cast out of a full body mold of plaster bandages which can be painfully difficult to remove. I havn't yet removed my next casts. i'll keep you all posted. thanks again.

[k10whosun]

FOAM IT 3