Would rezen stick to plaster of paris, if I use it as a mold?

Question

Using plaster of paris as a mold, would like to cast it in rezen.

Answer 1

My first impulse? Mix up some plaster, let it set until it'll hold an indentation, push your thumb in to make an impression, and leave it for a day. Next mix some resin (only a little) in a well-ventilated area, dump it in, and find out.

Second impulse? Well, figure out if you want to keep the mold or not - if not, don't worry about sticking because you can just break the mold off then wash the bits of plaster off. If so I'd wax it first (unless resin sticks to wax) with paraffin and a blowtorch (just put little chunks of wax on the plaster then melt it with the torch). The wax should be enough of a release - if not put a little liquid soap over the wax and that will slip right out.

As always, don't use a blowtorch if you don't know how, your parents don't allow you to, you're an idiot, et cetera. Basically don't kill/maim yourself, eh?

Answer 2

If you are casting the plaster of paris, it shouldn't stick. However this is a possibility if you are making a mould of a plaster object...

Before making a mould, i think your best bet is to check out the manufacturer's instructions or website, or ask at the shop you buy it from. Maybe try google-ing resin and plaster of paris, and see what advice comes up.

Answer 3

Actually, I have done this type of sculpture before...I had a cast of a person (myself) in plaster (actually, I use the plaster that doctor's use to put a cast on a person) and I made the positive with fiberglass (really messy).
I actually came up wtih a mixture of my own that seemed to work: Vaseline+ KY Jelly+Aqua-Phor. The Vaseline was too thick by itself, so the KY Jelly seemed to help to thin it out. the Aqua-Phor is a water base, is thin like KY, and also helped to thin out the mixture.
This seemed to work for me, and became my "secret release".
I also like to use this as a release if I am casting a person, because it is easier to clean.
When I tried to use saran wrap, it came out with a wrinkly texture which didn't work for my project (because it made me look old). It is an interesting texture, though if that is what you want. I just find that it tends to move while you are applying the epoxy and doesn't keep its form very well.

Answer 4

It is better to use a membrane (like the one we use to wrap the food) or a special thin foil of zinc (Zinfolie),between the original and the mould, to avoid the sticking.