Mixing and Cooking!

We have now reached a stage where we are using new products and chemicals, the ones I have listed here are a brand there are others and if you use, or find that you have a preference with another make, I am not endorsing a particular make, they are the products in our classroom.

you will need all these products or similar and cheap paint brushes, as seen in the photo as well as mould release.

you also need a weighing scale and a food mixer. 

To make a decent amount of foam latex here is a recipe

300g Foam Base

60g Foaming Agent

30g Curing Agent

Mix these in the mixer on the fastest setting for 4 minutes exactly, its wise to time it. 

then on the slowest setting to refine the mix for a further 6 mins.

whilst its mixing measure out between 30-35g of the gelling agent, get a syringe and once mixed for the full 10 minutes, start to add the gelling agent do this by filling the syringe and slowly add the gelling agent whilst mixing for a further 2 mins on the slowest setting to ensure that the mix remains stable, if done quickly it can lead to the mix congealing and getting lumps this means that the mix is unstable and will not produce a mould should this happen, throw it away and start over, it is worth saying that room temp does affect the gelling agent so always try and work at a balanced room temperature.

The Consistency should be that of meringue.   

Now take your brush and apply to the areas of fine detail after this is done make sure you are wearing latex gloves, place a handful of mix centrally and place your plaster cast of the area in to the mould pressing the mixture tightly and tie it with a rope or ratchet strap. clean off the excess foam.

Now place in an oven that is set to 20oC for 3 hours. 

In the next entry I will show you the practice piece I had and what I did with it, how to apply and further products as well as more about my design.