What would one cast resin in?

Question

I would like the resin to stay as smooth and clear as possible. Thanks x_+

Answer 1

Casting with Plastic Resins, an alt.sculpture FAQ by Christopher Pardell addressing the following topics: Casting vs. layup, suitable molds, types of resin, polyester resin, polyester's drawbacks and hazards, epoxies, urethanes, clear castings, shrinkage flaws, heat effects, shrinkage cracks, achieving larger castings, slowing polymerization, filling resin, various fillers, air bubbles, mixing, agitation and vacuum, pressure casting, sources of supplies.

Casting is the process of producing a part in a mold. Resins can be cast as a pourable liquid, or they can be "laid up"; laminated by hand with reinforcing cloth of glass or carbon fiber. Here we shall deal mostly with poured casting technique, since lay-up is rarely used by artists. Resin properly filled can cast solid figures 36 inches tall- most sculpture is within those parameters.

Most resins can be cast in properly-separating flexible molds made of polysulfide and urethane, but the best results are obtained from silicone molds, which require no separator coat. They can also be cast in rigid molds that have draft ( without undercuts, and slightly bigger at the bottom than the top) or composed of multiple drafted sections, if the molds are properly assembled. Rigid molds can be of plaster, fiberglass, metal, and even wood.