I am going to be using a heavy plastic round mold (man in the moon) and am wondering if before pouring plaster into mold, should I spray surface with PAM to make removal of figure easier or will it compromise the surface and/or plaster consistency? Your suggestions are really appreciated! Happy Holidays!
2006-12-24 18:29:42 · 4 answers · asked by lydlykarug 4 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Visual Arts ➔ Sculpture
It will probably come out fine without the Pam, but try a bit first . . . a 1 inch size blob should do. Let it set up as you would the entire thing and then see how easily it comes away from the mold.
I would not think Pam would be a good thing to have on the plaster. The oil would be messy and stop paint from adhering.
2006-12-24 20:47:05 · answer #1 · answered by Batty 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you must use a "Pam", a plain un-flavored one is the only choice. It will leave pits in the surface, and won't be nice to paint. Neither would a common silicone spray, silicone will cause what is called fisheye. My favorite for plaster release is Johnson & Johnson furniture paste wax and a tooth brush. Polish a couple of coats into the mold, then go around with the tooth brush in the detail it filled too much. A cotton handkercheif or bandanna to rub in the details is good. Any detail you fill with wax you are going to lose in your positive, but details with out a seperation agent, you will lose too, stuck in the mold. Blow out the mold with some low presure air before you pour. If you are going to paint it, after it cures, you can wipe it down with some denatured alcohol, to get any wax off of the possitive. Have fun!
2006-12-25 03:00:43 · answer #2 · answered by Don Quixote de Kaw 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As PAM is oil based , it might hinder the transfer of water to the mold, which may not be a good thing.
Pottery shops sell a standard material called "Green Soap" that eases separation but does not hinder water transfer. Ordinary liquid hand soap would probably do as well, but the Green Soap would probably have directions for best application, and be the right thickness.
A lot may depend on just how sharp the details are on the mold.
2006-12-26 11:13:58 · answer #3 · answered by Dragon 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure how the oil would react with the plaster. However, as unbelievable as this may sound, if you simply brush on a thin layer of liquid soap, that should keep the mold from sticking to your piece.
(I've done this and it really works.)
2006-12-25 14:36:25 · answer #4 · answered by spunk113 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋