help with plaster

bangjax

hi. this may sound a bit strange, because it probably is. im looking to make a mould of a cetain bodypart and would appreciate advice on what materials i could use ? what im after is a fast setting, safe to use on skin (sensitive area) plaster?? to make a mould. would need to be fast setting though ! then what to i use to make the final cast ? where do i get these. hope someone can help. any others tips/ideas on 'body sculpture' would be great thanx

artyeva

I've copied and pasted this from a site that contains rude words, which i've done my best to edit out.


Stay away from molding with plaster and plaster products as they are mostly exothermic (they release heat when curing). There is potential for burns to the skin when molding with plaster, specially if it's sensitive area of the body. Because plaster becomes rigid, it is difficult to handle and remove, especially from body hair. Casting (forming your positive) with plaster is fine, as the plaster won’t come in contact with your skin. A plaster cast, however, won’t be as realistic, or detailed.

Stay away from casting with any chemically harsh materials. Many uncured resins contain TDI’s, or toluene diisocyanates, which have been found to be carcinogenic. You’ll also want to stay away from Latex. Aside from the fact that latex allergies are quite common, it will noticeably deform during cure, including a great deal of shrinkage.

snowey07

you need to use alginate. its fast setting and made from a ( i think)sea weed base

afterwards you fill the mould with plaster or stone cast. its very easy, ive done hands , feet etc but nothing sensitive

all available from most craft /art shops

breadandjam

artyeva wrote: »

I've copied and pasted this from a site that contains rude words, which i've done my best to edit out.


Stay away from molding with plaster and plaster products as they are mostly exothermic (they release heat when curing). There is potential for burns to the skin when molding with plaster, specially if it's sensitive area of the body. Because plaster becomes rigid, it is difficult to handle and remove, especially from body hair.

I've used plaster a lot and have never seen it get so hot as to burn someone. I had a mould of my face made in plaster, - not plaster bandage, thick plaster with vaseline as a release agent and straws up nose so I could breathe with no problems at all. However depending on the area of the body to be cast I would also consider alginate.

Talk to the boys out in RPM http://www.rpmsupplies.com/

they'll steer ye right.

Tiriel

Whatever route you take, ensure adequate safety measures are takwn Do NOT take any chances.

bangjax

cheers for the help. alginate seems great, is it expensive ? and easy to use. i have no experience of casting

thebaldsoprano

Well worth double-checking anything you plan to do involving body parts. A girl in the UK lost eight fingers trying mould her hands in plaster-of-paris in 2009.

The photo in that article is fairly graphic, so don't click on it if these things make you queasy!

Tiriel

bangjax wrote: »

cheers for the help. alginate seems great, is it expensive ? and easy to use. i have no experience of casting

With no experience of casting and the dangers involved in something like this, I am locking this thread. Advice given already above as to the unsuitability of pursuing this idea without full knowlege of the materials and process. Before any advice given can be misinterpreted as a go-ahead, please seek professional assistance or abandon your idea.