Thread: "Glove" Mold Making 101

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This is a great tutorial. I was wondering did u use a release agent to get the latex of the skull in the first place. Or did i just miss it ??? Thanks

No, I did not. If you were molding on top of a porous material, you'ld definitely want to, but hard plastic, as my model was, I've never had a problem with. There is a mold release spray available in (most) Michaels stores if you need it.

As mentioned, I do get some bits of leftover plaster in my molds BECAUSE I don't use a release, but I actually LIKE that look, so do not attempt to prevent it.

Thanks for answering. So i should be ok with my Bucky skull. And I understand not using one with the plaster, sounds like it keeps it from being too perfect. Great idea and thanks again for the info.

Let us know how it goes!

Great job with the tutorial and pics!

this honestly is one of the best tutorials on mold making i have seen, and your son is too cute!!!!!

I have a plaster skull i want to try this with. I have a few questions though

you say release agent, would spray on non stick pam work? you know what i mean?

your skulls are hollow when finished, yes?

you put the cheesecloth on to reinforce the latex mold, that stays on when you roll the mold off the product? sounds silly i know but if i dont ask, i dont know.

Three or so coats of latex over the mother mold, yes??

you say to soak or wet the plaster before painting. why? soak them good and wet or would a really wet rag work ?

this is really a great tutorial. thank you SO much!

Originally Posted by LadyAlthea

this honestly is one of the best tutorials on mold making i have seen, and your son is too cute!!!!!

Thank you!

I have a plaster skull i want to try this with. I have a few questions though

you say release agent, would spray on non stick pam work? you know what i mean?

I've had BAD LUCK with Pam.

WHAT I WOULD DO (and has worked with CLAY items, haven't tried plaster):

Spray the skull with a clearcoat spraypaint, allow to dry completely, then start putting the latex right on.

your skulls are hollow when finished, yes?

Yes, mine are hollow, then filled with great stuff foam to jab them onto stakes.

you put the cheesecloth on to reinforce the latex mold, that stays on when you roll the mold off the product? sounds silly i know but if i dont ask, i dont know.

Yes, you put the cheesecloth on the mold, then apply latex OVER the cheese cloth (it's not coming off after that ) MAKE SURE you only put the cheese cloth on places you will not be needing to stretch later. (top of the head and face, not back of the neck or under the teeth)

Three or so coats of latex over the mother mold, yes??

1 fairly thin layer to start, 2nd coat nice and THICK, third coat with the cheese cloth again nice and THICK. If you have any areas that are looking thin, add a 4th. And by all means LET THE THING DRY COMPLETELY before you try to take it off. I "bake" mine under my car's windshield in the middle of summer and take em off hot, myself. There is a smell issue if you try that in an oven...not that I've ever tried or anything, no really, dear, I don't know why the oven smells.... (I now have my own roaster oven that sits outside for my projects...)

you say to soak or wet the plaster before painting. why? soak them good and wet or would a really wet rag work ?

this is really a great tutorial. thank you SO much!

Well, I STAINED those skulls, not painted. I wanted the oil base stain to go on uneven, so soaking the skulls was a simple way of letting that happen. You'll be surprised how much water dry plaster can absorb...

If you prefer to paint, I've found dry-brushing to be quite effective.

thank you for the answers! I thought you had to soften the plaster or something, thats why you wet them.

Im going to try the clear coat spray paint and see how that works. Ill take pics as i go along.

The skull i have is actually a salt and pepper shaker holder. LOL the eye sockets are kind of large so its good to know you can use clay to re shape them.

this is the skull i picked up for four bucks.

Creepy Human Skull Salt & Pepper Shaker Set

Ooo, I love the oversized eyes. That thing would look FABULOUS as a crystal skull.

how are you making those???