plasticine and vasaline question

[chris 71]

i have some non sulpher plasticine that i have been using to take rubber molds from. i haven't been using any release agents and its going fine. but some of my plasticine is pretty dusty and dry i was thinking of moisting it with some vasaline. can someone please tell me if it will still be fine to not use any release agents if i use the vasiline thanks chris..

[dondougan]

Hi Chris,

Vaseline is just a form of grease -- one of the primary components of plasticene clay.

Adding some will only soften the pasticity somewhat.
If it gets too soft add some beeswax or microcrystalline wax.

Don
www.dondougan.com

[chris 71]

hi don. i was pretty sure it was ok. thanks for the tip about the wax.chris...

[racine]

correct, also oil clay home made is superior to the stuff u can buy. we used one equal part each of grease, ball clay [powdered clay] and hot foundry wax. [i expect beezwax excellent as is probably microcrystaline.] mixes better warm-hot in a heavy food mixer or better. i lost my old note book[curses] but its by vollume i think, can be adjusted, while keeping the main pot warm in hot water [bain marie] cool a bit down in water and test, make lots and keep in plastic. u may have to adjust to your climate and wax hardness, the more wax the stiffer, grease softer.
can anyone confirm weight or vollume mix........

i expect the commercial mixes use too much of the cheaper filler, that it dosnt last well is always good for them too.

[chris 71]

thanks jim. i think i,ve read threads on here somewhere before about making your own plasticine. maybe another one of don's post. when you say powered clay just what is this and where could i get it. chris..

[SPRINGFIELD]

What kind of mold rubber are you using? I believe that vasoline {petroium jelly] is a petrolium derived product and might not be good for latex rubber. It would'nt be such a problem if it is mixed in with the clay but I would'nt use it as a release agent.
When I use latex rubber on a plastilina model without a barrier coat of shellac the surface of the clay gets very dry. That oil or vasoline is going somewhere and it must be going into the latex rubber. If my clay gets dry I just brush on a little canola vegitable oil and let it soak in for a few days than wipe off the excess. Seems to work good. I wouldn't use mineral oil either because that is also a petrolium product.
As far as I know it would be no problem if you are using tin based silicone rubber.

[chris 71]

thanks for your imput SPRINGFIELD. i am using silicone rubber and have now solved the problem. i just scraped off the outer layer with the dust and through it out alls good now. chris.