What material would I use to make a mold of say, my hand, or my face?

Question

I'm looking for a type of fast drying solution that dries to a sort of rubbery texture. I want to make a rubber mold of my hand or face, then recreate it using polymer clay. Does anyone know what material I would use for this?

Did anyone ever see Hollowman? When they poor this thick solution over his head and then it dries quickly into a mask? I need something like that. that you can pour quickly, have straws up your nose, and then it dries quickly and can be removed without sticking to the face.

Answer 1

the safest to use for a face is alginate. It is completely non-toxic (dentists use it for taking impressions from your teeth). It doesn't stick to your eyelashes so you will be able to get them out of the mold material (essential). It is flexible enough so some undercuts are OK. It is good for hands too because you can use it to make a one part mold (just make a tube you can stick your hand in). It shows great detail. Drawbacks are it's one time use only and it's more expensive than plaster bandages.
For you face you probably need a mothermold (e.g. of plaster bandages as well.
Mold making is not the most simple process and you can do things wrong. Make sure you thoroughly understand the process before you start, you won't have much time to figure out what you have to do. Run some small tests before you start so you are sure you know what you are doing (e.g. make a mold of one finger...). Look up mold making in some books in the library or take a class.
Though alginate will not be hard enough to press polymer clay into it. You have to have a substance which you can pour into the mold. Like plaster, wax or chocolate.
Alternative to algninate are plaster bandages. Make sure you put plenty of vaseline on every bit of skin which you cover with it. Practice before you try your face to get some experience. Read up in books.

Answer 2

ok, so i am not familiar with what exactly you should use for a mold of rubber, but what i do know is that you need to be well aware of body hair. though you may think your face may be relatively hairless compared to the rest of the body, it really is covered in little peachy fuzz. so, it can be VERY painful to remove. you want to make sure you use a lubricant of some sort, depending upon the type of materials you are using. i definitely suggest making sure you know what you are doing in that area... yeah, and i suggest following the advice of the guy above --always have someone there to help you & make sure all goes as planned.

sorry i don't actually have an answer to your question, though.

Answer 3

You need a type of plaster material. Or if you really want it to come out perfect, use ballistics gel. If you have ever seen MythBusters, this is what they make molds out of. It dries as a very rubbery texture, and feels like flesh. I suggest going to a hobby store, or for even better...go to a holloween costume shop. You might be able to buy the material that they use to make their rubber face masks. E-mail me if you need more information!

Good luck.

Answer 4

You could go to www.sculpt.com -- The Complete Sculptor

Look up body casting. They have several kits you could purchase.
The Complete sculptor has a class coming up in body casting in May.

Be sure to read all the directions. Have extra people around in case trouble arises.

Taking a class would be the safest way to go

Answer 5

Alginate that's a waterbased substance that chilly remedies to good. and in case you have ever had a mildew taken on the dentist seems very such as this. paper mache does not artwork to create the point of element required.