Product information - Help and handy hints
DO NOT INHALE OR INGEST THE MOULDING POWDER OR PLASTER.
THE MOULDING POWDER IS MADE OF SEAWEED AND IS TOTALLY SAFE FOR YOUR SKIN.
FOR BEST RESULTS:
- PLEASE DO A TEST MOULDING With 3 heaped TEASPOONS OF THE MOULDING POWDER AND 100 MLS WATER. MIX AS PER KIT INSTRUCTIONS AND DIP A FINGER INTO IT.
- Watch how the colour changes as you mix as this will give you an idea of timing.
- HOLD STILL FOR APPROX 45 SECONDS AND THE MOULDING GEL SETS LIKE A THICK JELLY CAPTURING VERY FINE DETAIL.
You will need:
- An electric mixer (wand type)
- A measuring jug
- A spatula
- Plastic container for mixing moulding powder (bucket, jug or icecream tub)
- A container & stirrer for mixing the casting plaster.
- Some sandpaper, splinter hook or small pointed knife for trimming and finishing.
USE COOL WATER (IDEALLY 23 DEG)
The colder the water the longer you have for mixing.
If using tepid water it will speed up the mixing and setting time so should only be used for smaller mouldings.
Once the powder is added to the water, the process is very quick (you have about 2 – 3 minutes all up) so make sure you have everything ready before you start.
A very light coat of oil (cooking or baby) on the skin will help release from the gel. Any hair can be covered with petroleum jelly to avoid getting caught in the gel.
Make sure clothing is out of the way before you start and that the model is in a comfortable position for ‘dipping’ into the gel.
Clean your mixer while gel is still soft as it will be easier to remove.
Do your moulding over lino or tiles as it is hard to remove from carpet...
Don’t pour left over plaster or gel down the drain as you could block it - let the left over plaster set then throw it away.
THE CASTING PLASTER IS STRONGER, FINER AND FASTER SETTING THAN PLASTER OF PARIS.
While plaster is still damp and workable, you can shape it, sand the edges and pick off any air bubbles or imperfections.
You can also engrave name/date if you wish, while plaster is still soft.
Once the plaster is fully dry, at least an undercoat is recommended (acrylic, spray can, light coats) and then a colour or clear lacquer to seal the surface and protect your sculpture from dirt and fingerprints.
Keep unused powders in an airtight container
CREATING A MOULDING CONTAINER
THE SHAPE AND SIZE OF THE CONTAINER YOU USE WILL VARY DEPENDING ON THE BODYPART. THE PACKAGING TUBE IS AN OPTION AND CAN BE CUT DOWN TO SIZE & USE THE CAP.
IT ONLY NEEDS TO BE WATERTIGHT FOR A MINUTE SO YOU CAN CREATE OR MODIFY A CONTAINER THAT YOU HAVE ALREADY, USING CLOTH TAPE, METAL FLASHING, FOIL COOKWARE, ICE CREAM TUBS, HOUSEHOLD BUCKETS , BOWLS AND TUBS, EVEN CARDBOARD LINED WITH PLASTIC. YOGHURT AND MARGARINE TUBS ARE GOOD FOR HANDS AND FEET OF CHILDREN
YOU HAVE TO CONSIDER EASE OF REMOVING THE MOULD AND PLASTER UPON COMPLETION, SO PREPARE THE CONTAINER BY OILING IT OR APPLY DECENT SMEAR OF PETROLEUM JELLY.
Do a ‘wet run’ practice in the container and measure the water it takes to surround the body part, without touching sides or bottom. Then you know how much gel to use.
The table below is an approximate guide depending of course on the size of the bodypart:
| Sculpture | Amount to use | Container |
| Baby / child foot | 500ml (75gm) 1/6th of 450gm pack |
Rectangular margarine tub |
| Baby / child hand | 500ml (75gm) 1/6th of 450gm pack |
Round yoghurt tub or similar |
| Little Bitz – eg pussy, lips, knob | 500ml (75gm) 1/6th of 450gm pack |
Small plastic container eg: takeaway food |
| Couple of hands | 3 litres 1 x 450gm pack |
Packaging tube |
| Face | 3 litres 1 x 450gm pack |
4lt mixing bowl |
| Group of hands | 6 litres 2 x 450gm packs |
9lt household bucket or tub |
| Small breast plaque | 3 litres 1 x 450gm pack |
4lt mixing bowl |
| Breast sculpture - Medium | 6 litres 2 x 450gm packs |
9lt laundry bowl |
| Breast sculpture - Large | 9 litres 3 x 450gm packs |
15lt laundry bowl |
| Butt | 9 litres 3 x 450gm packs |
15lt laundry bowl |
| Preggy Belly | 12 litres 4 x 450gm packs |
Baby bath or similar approx 18lt |
CHECKLIST BEFORE YOU START
- HAVE YOU DONE A TEST RUN?
- DO YOU HAVE CORRECT WATER AND POWDER MEASUREMENTS?
- IS WATER AT A MANAGEABLE TEMPERATURE?
- IF IT’S HOT WEATHER, CAN YOU DO IT IN AN AIR-CONDITIONED ROOM?
- HAVE YOU TESTED THE CONTAINER?
- HAVE YOU OILED THE INSIDE OF THE CONTAINER?
- HAVE YOU PUT A LIGHT COAT OF OIL ON SKIN?
- IS CLOTHING OUT OF THE WAY?
- ARE YOU/YOUR MODEL(S) IN A COMFORTABLE POSITION TO DIP DOWNWARD INTO THE GEL?
- HAVE YOU COVERED ANY HAIR WITH VASELINE?
- HAVE YOU COVERED CLOTHING/CARPET?
- RELAX AND HAVE FUN!
And if you still don’t understand – call me!
I’ll be happy to talk you through it.
Cheers,
Susie
