I want to try making my own earliners with liqua cast but it says you can't use alginate as the mold because of moisture. Could you use it if the alginate mold was completly dry first? Or will the alginate crack and deteriorate as it drys? What about #1 molding plaster? Any other thoughts would be great just please don't tell me to use a whole bunch of expensive molding and casting materials. Thanks!
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a bondo & resin mixtue?
I was doing some reading in the archives that the resin thins it but than some one said it thickens it. Which is it? So I just make the alginate mold and pour the bondo/resin in and once it's set I have an earliner? Let me know if that's right and thanks
I was also reading in the archives to just use fiberglass resin and mix it with talc powder and it will do the same thing as bondo/resin. I think George said in there to that bondo and resin are the same thing just that bondo is colored. I'm confused beyond belief and need some serious help here.
Was also reading to make the mold out of bondo, wax it and than pour the earliner out of bondo. My question this time is what kind of wax do you use?
Resin will make your bondo easier to pour into your mold. So, I guess you could say it thins it. You might add a few strands of fiberglass chop to strengthen your liner. I normally wash my alginate molds with acetone to displace / evaporate the excess water first. No mold release is needed with alginate and bondo. Now, if you want a more permanent mold, Bondo & resin will do for it also. There are many mold releases that will work fine to keep your bondo mold from sicking to your bondo cast. Vasoline diluted with mineral spirits, Johnson's floor paste, most of your supply company spray mold releases will also work. A more long term mold idea would be 2 part silicone mold. I don't know about talc, never tried it, but like you, I've heard Uncle George talk about it. Molding and casting normally involves tons of trial and error, and cash, so good luck.
You can also coat the inside of the molds with wax, and the alginate can still be a little wet and it will not effect the bondo resin kicking. it blocks the water form contact.
I thought alginate shrinks when it drys up alot? It is only good for one pour, Isn't my information correct?
I would use silicon or a rubber mold, but the fiberglass mold would work really good as well. I have done molds like that before and the johnson's wax is really great as a release.
The best way to make earlinners is to make a cheap mold, like alginate, then after you pour the first cast, you make changes, fix anything wrong, and then re-mold it with something more permanent.
This will give you the best mold and casts