Play-doh?

[Travis Jones]

Has anyone used store bought play-doh instead of high fiber? I know some of you make it but I was considering buying a few 6lb tubs and trying it. I think it would be easier to work with. I need something to cut some time off of my molding process.  Thanks.

[Dondi]

Travis,
 I say ...go for it !
I use it for bedding when molding fish or fins. If you want it to be softer, then just spray it down a little  with water. Keep it in a relatively air tight container, and re-use it over and over again. Store bought or made or a combination of both works fine.
Attached is a pic of a recent Steelhead fin mold I made. 1st Pour
 I first flatten a bed of play-doh, then I spray it slightly with water, smooth it out, and place my fins into the bedding. Should work fine for you..

[Timjo]

I'm definitely going to give that stuff a try. Positioning of the fish and fins IMO is critical in the molding stage. I'm always trying to find a better way in that department.

Dondi, I like to mold a lot of my fish in plaster and have found that Krylon acrylic works the best for me to seal the specimen.  I noticed a gloss on the fins, do you seal yours because of the moisture sensitive urethane I'm assuming you pour, or is for the Play-doh?

With your experience with it, have you found it to react with anything?

Sorry with all the questions.  Just like Travis I would like to know all I can before playing with the dough.


Thank you for your Knowledge.

[Dondi]

Tim,
I do not seal my fins with anything. I just slightly spray some universal mold release agent into the mold box and lightly onto the fins. The urethane that I use (Reo-Flex 40 dry), does not have an adverse affect to moisture.
 The same goes with the warm water fish that I mold. No problems if the fins or fish are slightly damp or cool. I find more problems occur if you dry them excessively...wriinkles will occrur.
 Standing water of course will be a problem with molding..

[Speckled Trout]

The play-doh is soft enough to "bed" a fish in without having to press too hard?  You can actually make it soft enough with water?  I must admit that I've never tried it, but it seems like it would be hard to get a good seal around the specimen when using play-doh. 

[Dondi]

The play-doh is soft enough to "bed" a fish in without having to press too hard?  You can actually make it soft enough with water?  I must admit that I've never tried it, but it seems like it would be hard to get a good seal around the specimen when using play-doh. 

Speckled trout,
 I don't press the fish into the play-doh.
I place a bed of play-doh into the adjustable mold box. Smooth it out. Then I place the fish in the center of the box on the bedding. Then I build the play-doh up around the fish to the parting line. When I think that the play-doh is at the parting line on the fish, then I spray a little water over the bedding, and smooth it down by hand or finger tip.
 Then place your keys into the bedding, mix your mold material and pour.

[Travis Jones]

Thanks for the tips guys. I think I may get some before my next molding adventure.