Aquarium Decoration Tutorial: Casting a Clear Conch Shell in Crystal Clear Resin
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- Опубліковано 19 жов 2024
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Making Your Own Conch Shells Using Crystal Clear Plastic
A two-part mold will be made using Mold Star silicone. Hot-melt glue is used to assemble a mold box out of acrylic sheets. A marker is used to trace the inside perimeter of the mold box. A clay base is then formed inside this perimeter using RAM Sculptex clay (available at www.reynoldsam..... This clay base will divide the model into halves. Additional clay is placed inside the conch shell opening. The shell is then pressed firmly into the clay base. Clay is applied to the the parting line. Small acorn nuts are imbedded in the clay to form registration keys. The assembled mold box placed around the clay bed and affixed to the working surface.
Mold Star 15 SLOW is mixed 1A:1B by volume. The two parts are mixed thoroughly until a uniform color is achieved (no white or green streaks present). Mold Star 15 is poured into the mold box slowly and is allowed to seek its own level over the model. The silicone is then allowed to cure for 4 hours at room temperature. After this, the box is separated from the base and turned over. Clay is carefully removed and cleaned from the mold, the acorn nuts are removed, but the model remains in the mold. A pour spout is created with clay and attached to the model at the highest point. Ease Release 200 release agent is applied to the freshly cured silicone. A second batch of Mold Star 15 is measured, mixed, poured, and allowed to cure. Once cured, the two halves of the mold are separated and the model is removed.
For casting, the mold halves are reassembled using the keys for proper registration. Crystal Clear 200 urethane casting resin is mixed 100A:90B by weight. Parts A & B are mixed thoroughly then poured into the mold using a funnel to prevent spillage. The rubber mold is placed into a pressure pot and allowed to cure for 16 hours at 60 PSI (important: make sure the pressure pot lid is fully secured). This eliminates any bubbles in the liquid plastic as it cures. For a variety of casting effects, color can be added to Crystal Clear resin. For example, Ignite pigments will create fluorescent castings that glow under actinic light.
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We need more instructionals like this. This is not an easy piece to mold if you are a novice and this video breaks down the process nicely. Also, I've tried every clear resin available on the market. Have never found better than Smooth-On's.
The smooth on videos are more than worth watching/searching/subbing. I knew enough by the time by product came that my very first mold was a 105% success. We did 1/6 scale figs too. A couple weeks later we were bold enough to start making our own 2-piece wrist pegs. Smooth On fan for life!
What a unique project. I love the color added into the resin; give it an iridescent look.
And there is no problem with putting the piece into an aquarium environment. Very cool!!
You are always amazing me with the innovative things your company can do. Thanks for sharing these free videos, they are so helpful!!
A urethane, such as our Crystal Clear, would be better than epoxy. Crystal Clear can be cast into a few different silicone molds, I recommend visiting our website for more info on Crystal Clear resin.
you make this so detailed, I feel confident trying all this out! I suppose it's a hobby you don't start on a whim. The vacuums and materials seem like a large investment!
Thanks for watching! Let us know if you need any help.
I can't think of a simpler way of handling a deep undercut considering the model. Well done.
Our So-Strong or Ignite pigments work great in the Crystal Clear resin.
Agreed, if you are casting a clear resin into a glossy silicone mold, we recommend either no release or oue Universal Mold Release - which leaves a glossy surface.
Hi Ivan, you might want to look at some of the videos and photo galleries on our Mold Star page. The link is in the description.
There are other methods (brush-on, matrix mold) which can be used to create this mold, but for pressure casting, a block mold works best. You can also cast Crystal Clear resin in tin-cure or urethane rubbers, which are less expensive.
what an awesome video, you guys & gals at smooth-on and reynolds rock
Beautiful! I would imagine you would have to weight the shell down if you were using it in an aquarium. Using UV die would be great in an aquarium with black light.
It is recommended to use a pressure pot for bubble-free castings.
What about a vacuum chamber?..what's the difference in removing air bubbles?
Very interesting and informative video. Are you supposed to apply Ease-Release to both sides of the mold before pouring in the resin?
Amazing. It's beautiful Maureen
The crystal clear resin used for making the conch is safe for live fish in the aquarium? Beautiful shell
Crystal Clear 200 and 202 resins are aquarium safe - www.smooth-on.com/support/faq/196/
Vacuum forming is the best route for visors. Both in cost and results.
I paint figurines with acrylic paint. They stay under in the water for ever basically, but the paint fogs up the water. If I apply the Crystal Clear as a coating, will if stop the acrylic paint from dissolving? Any advice will help. Great video also.
Just found your page, your products look great.
I’m making 1/6 scale collection figures, I’m modeling them using premo sculpey, they are highly detail figures, I had never make copies before, so I don’t know what to use to make a mold, and then what material use to cast them, I plan to paint them with an air brush using acrylic paint (that is what I use with the sculpey figures), which of your products is best for it and do you have a video of it?
Thanks!
I tried slush casting with crystal clear tonight. That was a stupid idea. I guess if this material moves, it doesnt cure. I will try to use this on something filled at some point. The poison label on the container is a bit worrysome however..
WoW! that was beautiful! now where am I going to get a Pressure pot ?
please do you know what is the proper components to make glassy Acrylic sheets and required machine because i am searching to start a project
I have something that need to be made out of acrylic do you do customer work for them
Could you clarify for me please?
The volume of Mold-Star 15 slow :
Part A in 1.0 lbs (0.45kgs) = ..... centiliters?
Part B in 1.0 lbs (0.45kgs) = ..... centiliters?
Thank you in advance
A 2 lb. kit of Mold Star 15 SLOW contains 0.77 L of material.
Great Tutorial!!
I am looking at copying a bridge for my Aquarium!
How do you know how much resin to put in?
Surely if you accidentally put too much in it will shape on to the ornament as pipe type object from the pour spout??
+Chaz Lander
Also think you guys could do something like an a pleco cave or Aquarium Ornament that has holes for fish to swim through? Ive been trying to figure that one out for 3 months! would be very awesome to see it done
+Chaz Lander Correct, excess resin would cure in the pour spot. An estimate of amount needed can be made by measuring water displaced by your original model.
+Smooth-On
I'm very excited to start trying to do this! can you file or cut any excess resin off if needed? or would you start again?
+Chaz Lander You could cut the excess resin off.
+Reynolds Advanced Materials can you advise how please for instance file? certain knife? I appreciate you taking time to assist thank you
hi
i want to make mould and some sculptures through this process will u please help me to find this material in my locality
omg its so awesome!
Do you need pressure for moulding something like a spray paint can?
For a clear, bubble free casting, pressure casting is recommended.
Where can I purchase the Crystal Clear 200? I don't see it available on your site.
Thanks for watching R Farmer. This can be ordered from a distributor. You can find a full list of Smooth-On distributors here - www.smooth-on.com/distributors/
Awesome! Great post! Thank you.
Release agent is not necessary, but is optional when casting into silicone.
could Mold Star-15 be vacuumed to release air bubbles?
It could, but it is not necessary, as Mold Star 15 will de-air itself when used at room temperature.
what if you do not have a pressure tank is there still anyway to make them????
+Randy Lindauer You can use a slower setting Crystal Clear formulation, but would still run the risk of small bubbles in your castings.
Is the Crystal Clear super toxic or anything?
Hey man, Does the Resin toxic for the animals?
+kady Coelhoss Cured Crystal Clear is inert.
how long is the pot-time of Smooth-on ?
It depends on the product. A full reference chart can be found here: www.smooth-on.com/charts
If it's 100 of and 90 of b how will this mixture equal out as a whole?
The material is measured 100 part A to 90 parts B by weight. Once these components are weighed to this ratio, it will cure properly.
Can we get the resin shinier by brushing on more clear resin?
A good way to increase the shine of this type of resin is either to polish using Novus plastic polish or apply some gloss Krylon Crystal Clear acrylic spray.
Smooth-On, Inc. ty
Do you need pressure to make something flat?
No, the resin will seek it's own level.
Smooth-On, Inc.
Sweet, thanks man
Smooth-On, Inc
Hi what clay is being used here as it doesn't look like air drying clay??
It is Sculptex oil clay from Reynolds Advanced Materials
where does one buy acrylic panels?
You can try usplastics.com
Smooth-On thanks I found a company here in Canada that’s similar and has sheets of plastic. They say they cut to size as well.
Can u paint the clear items if u wanted
iF YOU paint anything you have to seal it with there Tarbender so it will not leach your Po4 back in the tank! It's a lot harder then it looks, TRUST ME..
Can I paint 'Crystal Clear 200 resin' afterwords with non toxic colours?
It can be painted, but we would recommend using a clear bonding primer like Bulldog Adhesion Promoter first.
Thank you for the reply
thats awsome !
You can find the same one used in this video on our website under the "Supplies, Tools & Equipment" section.
None of these materials are sold in my country. Pity !
Great video in 2 weeks gonna print my duplicate to make a small serie of product. (20)
What does it mean by 15 SLOW?
It describes the shore hardness of material after a full cure, and how much workable time you have.
Li Wang The working time of Mold Star 15 SLOW is 45 minutes and the cure time is 4 hours - compared to Mold Star 16 FAST, which has a 6 minute working time and a 30 minute cure time.
I would contact the manufacturer of that resin to see if they have any particular information on aquarium safety for their product. We do not recommend any of our castable epoxies for aquarium applications. Our Crystal Clear and Smooth-Cast 325 series urethanes have both been tested and approved for aquarium use.
AND your Free Form® Habitat®, that has been painted with your UV pigments that you sell along with the Tarbender to seal everything so nothing leaches back into the Saltank.
i was watching this planning my little project right up to "the pressure pot"
A conch shell was harmed in the making of this video.
▶ Aquarium Decoration Tutorial: Casting a Clear Conch Shell in Crystal Clear Resin - UA-cam
How, rigid is the pieces after curing? how well do they handle heat?
Thats alleays where I cant do it is a pressure pot....
i am from jaipur india
When will someone make a clear resin that doesn't take so many hours to cure?
Hi, I cant see anything "CRYSTAL CLEAR" in your final object (As youclaim in the topic)
It seems not only due to its rough surface, the color is not crystal clear at all.
You might also be interested in our EpoxAcast 690 clear epoxy, which de-airs itself well without a pressure pot. Feel free to contact our tech support to discuss the specifics of your project; 800-381-1733
Release may tarnish the clear.. don't use it.. also remember you should put at least one escape route into your mold to allow the air to escape as you pour the resin. (not shown)
oh, you cheated just a little bit, you know it ; )
.
when you advertise in the video casting a conch shell, the first thing that comes into our mind it the inherent mechanical lock that the inner spirals would cause... and you just closed it with clay... aaaaaaaaw.
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lol, but seriously, great video, as usual! tyvm for it,
This guys hands are so shaky lol
Boring