Catfish casting

[kazo]

Iv decided to try and mold and cast a catfish  1.8 meters long. so was thinking of doing it like this:
1. take of the teeth plates
2.fill the mouth with silicone caulk
3. put the fish in beding
4.pour plaster of Paris over first side of fish and when hardens back it up with fiberglass resin
5.do the same on the second half of fish
6.take the fish out and clean the mold
7.put gelcoat on each half of the mold
8.brush on fiberglass resin on each half of mold
9.when hardens take out the 2 half's  of cast out of the mold and glue the 2 half's together with fiberglass resin
10.rebuild the mouth interior
11.paint the fish

  Are these the right steps to do it or is there something else that I should do.?

[JE]

This might help
http://www.taxidermy.net/forum/index.php/topic,109152.0.html

[kazo]

Yes that could help but I don't want it to 38-40 kilograms heavy. It should be for the wall.

[JE]

Why would it be so heavy ? you would still be using steps 6 to 11 on YOUR list .

[kazo]

Yes you are right , I will post pics when I finish . I hope it will come out OK. Thanks JE.

[lizardrib]

step 6.5 apply release agent.

[fishmaster]

Tube silicone in the mouth won't set for days or weeks. It has to air dry. Also if you're using silicone, no need to remove the teeth plates. Also I don't think you find that the fiberglass over the plaster will attach to the wet plaster. I'd do your practice on a 12" fish first.

[Jknuth]

The tube Silicone will set if activated.
Tube silicones are condensation cured and not air dry. This means they need moisture to set properly.
Normally the moistur ein the air is enough to set it.
If you mix a small amount of acrylic paint with the silicone it will set very fast.

What I do for most of my mouth plugs is Take a tube of silicone and squirt it into a mixing bowl. Then Remove the plunger plug from the tube by forcing a rod through the nozzle.
Then I will mix acrylic paint to the silicone and put the activated silicone back into the tube and replace the plunger plug.
This can then be squirted into the mouth of the fish. The pressure will ensure the silicone will reach the details. The mouth plug can then be smoothed with dishsoap and water.
You have to work very fast. Once the silicone is activated it will set in 10 minute or less.