Thread: Wax Mold Prop Hands

Tweet

Hello everyone.

If your like me, you like to have detail in some of your props. One set of props I'm working on right now had the need for a few pairs of hands.

I checked out the prices for mannequin and latex hands and about fell out of my chair as the price would have cost about as much as I already put into the other parts of the prop. I then looked into the cost of using a disposable mold for hands and not only did the price shock me but the fact that it was a single use product.

This was when the haunter (aka cheapo) in me went to work. I started thinking of the different ways to make a mold of hands when it dawned on me, wax.

Now there was some trial and error in this as I found paraffin wax for those hand baths wouldn't cut it (wax was way to soft). However, candle wax was perfect and reusable.

After several attempts, setbacks, advances, failures, successes and cha chas, I am able to bring to my fellow haunters a way for everyone to make a cheap and reusable hand mold for your props.

Supplies:

-Lotion or Vaseline to help keep the wax from sticking to your hands
-4 pound block of candle wax
-Metal pot or bowl to melt the wax
-Pot a third of the way full of water for the pot or bowl with the wax to sit in while the wax melts. Basically a double boiler.
-Buck or bowl of ice water
-1/2 piece of pvc pipe, wire, or stick to use to attach the hand to the prop (optional, but still recommended)
-Plaster of Paris or Hyrdocal (lightweight plaster)
-A cup or something to hold the wax mold so the plaster can set up.

Pictures to follow...

First a warning. This has the potential to burn you. Please ask any questions you need to before starting this project as you undertake this project at your own risk.

Now that you have accepted your fate, you will want to set up the double boiler with the wax and start melting it on medium high (you may need to set it higher depending on how fast you want the wax to melt) on the oven cook top (unless you have something else that can melt the wax) and then turn it down low enough where the wax doesn't start to solidify.

This is the time you will want to apply the lotion and then place your hand in the bowl or bucket of ice water for 10 to 15 seconds, You will then dip your hand once quickly in the wax in the position you want it to be molded and immediately return it to the ice water to cool . Continue alternating from the wax to the ice water 10 or so times depending on how thick you want the mold.

Once you have the desired amount of wax on your mold, dip it in the ice water to solidify the wax so that you can remove your hand without breaking the mold. You may find the water will work it's way into the mold around your hand which is OK as it will help with removing the mold. Once it feel firm, start wiggling your hand out of the mold until your hand is free. Take the mold and dip the wrist part of the mold in the wax to strengthen the top. You can then put the mold in the ice water or the refrigerator to further solidify.

Once your mold is solid, you can use it to mold a hand. Place the mold in a cup or something else to hold the mold upright and pour in the Plaster of Paris or Hydrocal. Tap the cup lightly on a hard surface to remove any bubbles and then let it dry at least 24 hours before trying to remove the wax mold. If you need help with removing the mold, you can score the sides lightly with a exacto blade or butter knife (be careful not to go too deep as it will cut into the plaster) Have another warm pot of water on hand to dip the mold into to loosen the wax from the plaster The wax should then just peel right off. Set them in a safe place to dry for another 24 hours and then decorate them to your hearts content. You will then have a pair of hands you can attach to your prop. Enjoy.

Can you expand on how you got your hands out of the wax?

Of course.

The lotion help to keep your skin lubricated so that you can remove your hand carefully from the wax. Once the wax is firm, it kinda slips off like a glove. I used lotion from Bath and Body cause it's what I had on hand but it was good and greasy and my hands felt so silky smooth afterwards.

Wow! This technique is very cool & gives great results. Your pics reminded me of a mystery novel I read as a kid called "The Hand of Mary Constable"- in it a fake medium causes a man to believe his dead daughter has appeared to him during a seance by having "Mary" plunge her hand into melted wax, then ice water, producing something very much like yr. last pic in the series. Never thought I'd actually see one of those hands & the technique that produces it.

VERY realistic looking, Big Congrats!

THANK YOU !!!!!! I am very big into making life size props, however I hate making paper mache hands. Like you I looked for other hands to make.

The kit thing for about $25-$35 bucks (with out S&H) only allows you to make one hand and you must break the mold to get out the prop. A flexible material is offered by the same Mfg. that will make a mold that can be reused for years, how ever it is $120 and that is for one hand!!!

I have been looking for a long time for something better and I think you have it !!!

One or two questions; The wax you break away to get at the plaster hand, you can re- melt it for re-casting more molds right?

Will a 4Lb. block of candle wax do two hands or one?

What is the cost of a 4Lb. block?

Also, I was thinking about an old crock pot to perhaps melt the wax on a high setting and then use the low setting for the dipping process (if it would be cool enough) Thrift stores around here always have crock pots. If I bought one just for this, I could just leave the unused wax to harden back in the pot itself (no mess or clean up) until the next casting. Would this work?

Last question; Do you think other casting medium could be used....liquid latex?


No kidding....I can't thank you enough for this!!! (Mad Mad Mark gives standing ovation).....Yaaaaaaaaay !!!!!!

Originally Posted by Mad Mad Mark

One or two questions; The wax you break away to get at the plaster hand, you can re- melt it for re-casting more molds right?

If you dip the wax mold in very warm water, you can peel the wax off the plaster hand and reuse it as many times as you need to.

Originally Posted by Mad Mad Mark

Will a 4Lb. block of candle wax do two hands or one?

I'm on my 4th pair of molded hands from the same block of wax. Pretty much you can keep reusing the wax until its gone. I did buy another 2 pound block of wax but so far I haven't needed it.

Originally Posted by Mad Mad Mark

What is the cost of a 4Lb. block?

At Michael's it's $19.99 but they have a Memorial day coupon for 50% off. http://michaels.p.delivery.net/m/p/m...id=12910980476. If the coupon doesn't work, go to Michaels.com and they should have a link you can click on for coupons there.

Originally Posted by Mad Mad Mark

Also, I was thinking about an old crock pot to perhaps melt the wax on a high setting and then use the low setting for the dipping process (if it would be cool enough) Thrift stores around here always have crock pots. If I bought one just for this, I could just leave the unused wax to harden back in the pot itself (no mess or clean up) until the next casting. Would this work?

A crock pot would be perfect and you can keep the wax in and use it whenever you want to.

Originally Posted by Mad Mad Mark

Last question; Do you think other casting medium could be used....liquid latex?

I haven't tried yet, but I'm off today so I might give it a try. I'll post pictures of my progress.

I'm glad this was able to help. I had a conversation last Sunday with a guy who works for a prop making company who was trying to convince me of the benefit of a latex mold. I asked him how many pours he got from the latex mold. He said around 100. I replied I can get an infinite amount of pours from the wax and in different positions if I need it.

Thanks for all the info! I am in the process of making a full body "Jack the Ripper" of paper mache. I am most certainly going to use your ingenious technique.

If you do experiment with liquid latex before I do....PLEASE give us an update ok?

Once more....thank you so much!!! -- MMM