silicones

[realsculpt]

i noticed alot of people mention smooth-on for silicones, so i want to warn people that thier "mold max " product is not very good, i have use alot of different silicones from them, nusil,visil,dow,shinetsu,wacker,polytek, circle k, well actually i have probable use over 2 dozen different typs and brands, and the mold max was my least favorite because it was very brittle very fast, the molds seemed to last 2 or 3 pulls, and i was using a release agent when i poured into them. alway use one it will save your molds. If you are looking for an inexpensive silicone try "quantum" i got some at fxwarehouseinc.com they also have some great silicones for simulating skin. there is polytek too, they are real good similar to smoothon. also stay away from silicone body impression materials unless you know what you are doing or you can rip every hair out of someone body. its funny to watch though..

anyway just want to let people know some material options.

[Mordachai]

one thought.

you said you always use a release. Something you are not supposed to use a release at all, and some releases will hurt certian materials.
If you use a silicone based rubber, you are not supposed to use a silicone based release. Some times a silicone based release will make the silicone rubber BOND to the model, sometimes it will make the silicone cure funny. That sounds like what was going on with your 'mold max' .



As far as I know you are supposed to use either no release or a wax based release for silicone rubbers. so maybe the mold max was reacting to something in the release

Also if your model is not properly sealed it could have contaminants (sulfer, lye, etc) that could have the same effect, and produce a weaker mold.


( I personally also don't like smooth-on rubbers- but it's because of the fact that I personally don't like thier mixes[try mixing alcohol with peanut butter] and the way that thier products handle and apply...lol)




Remember realsculpt, No one likes a sales troll. Much less one actively bashing others products.

[realsculpt]

first, dont start accusing me of anything, you cant back up. I freely admit i worked for some vendors i recommend, most I did not, i recommend by price and quality. If you are accusing me of bullshitting people for my own benifit then you need either prove it or back off . I do expect you to remove your comment , i find it very offensive. It would be like me accusing you for being a salesman for Polytek after a few of your comments and posts.

i know not to use silicone releases on silicone molds, and i am not bashing a product for fun, i am letting people know before they go out and buy that particular type that it has a limited longevity. I went through 3 gallons of the stuff and the same problem, even the dry sample seemed brittle.
It is also a GI tin base so sulfur wont mess with it but i do seal things then use a keresine/wax/sterate release or a parfilm that wont effect silicone.In this particular case i used the release that they recommended at the vendor.
Further, you are supposed to use release agents with silicone for longevity, and you are also supposed to use 200 fluid on some to reoil them, polytrap on others to absorb oil. SIlicone does have oils in it to help with release, but most things poured into these molds will absorb those oils and cause them to break down faster than with an agent. I would think that as I have been using silicones for over 18 years, tin,platinum,acetoxy and condensation cure that i know a bit.

I did not bash the product to for fun or to get off, its because alot of people here seem to flock to smooth-on, some of thier stuff is great,this product seems not to be so great for some applications and i figure people could avoid spending alot of cash to make a mold for duplicating and ending up with one or two copies instead of 30 or 40.. I would expect people to let me know about problem products so i dont waste my money, so i do the same.

[sculptorsam]

Before the wheels completely come off this thread, I'm closing it down. Any knowledge or experience anybody has with materials or processes are always welcome. If you feel a fellow user is acting in bad faith, I'd appreciate it if you notified a moderator before confronting them publicly. Thank you.