Make Silicone Molds Last Longer
How long do Silicone molds last?
Some manufacturers claim their silicone molds can last around 20 years, but only if you use them according to the instructions and store them as recommended.
Are you passionate about resin casting projects and want to extend the life of your Silicone Molds for as long as you can? If so, you probably already have purchased some Silicone molds that you adore. As such, you want to make sure they will last.
Spoiler alert: caring for molds is not a too complicated task; however, there are some things to always keep in mind.
First of all, molds are perishable, so they will not last forever. Without the proper care, this material will wear out. Especially if it has lots of tiny details, the silicone molds might not resist the test of time. This translates into a project without shine and all those little details that come with a brand new mold.
Don’t worry; this is entirely normal; although, once you take action with 4 resin mold care best practices, you can make your molds last longer.
Tips to Make Silicone Molds last longer
Silicone is a non-stick base agent. Like any other material, it is better when it is new. The new mold works impressively with the very first uses; however, you might notice that mold is hardening after some time, and removing a resin project will take much more effort as it wears.
This happens because some manufacturers use silicone mold release agents as part of their creating process. This step will allow the resin to be cast and removed easier, without harming the new mold.
- The very first rule? Make sure you do not use any harsh chemicals to clean out the mold. Otherwise, your resin will lose its shine.
2. Use mold release agents. These substances come in liquid and spray forms. For example, if you don’t deal with large intricate molds, you don’t need to use too much substance. Instead, you can use a liquid silicone release agent. You simply put a thin layer of release agent, then leave it like that to work for 10 minutes, right before pouring the resin into the mold. Need a bit of help? Try using a cotton Q-tip to make sure you don’t apply too much and that all the gaps are nicely coated.
3. The critical rule of them all: keep the mold clean. Yes, it might seem like a simple rule and quite obvious, but most people do not take it seriously. Do not leave any glitter, excess resin, or other items that are much more difficult to remove. You should take keeping your mold free of left over particles seriously so that it can last longer.
4. Use some dish soap and warm water. Next, clean the mold before casting by simply using a tiny amount of dish soap and warm water. In all this process, make sure you do not over-stretch the mold. Otherwise, you might damage its shape. Also, do not use scrubbing tools, such as scrubbing sponges, wool, and other utensils that can scratch a perfectly smooth surface of the silicone. Every little scratch will then transfer on resin.
Why is following Silicone Mold best practices mandatory? Well, the tiny microscopic tears can lead to some unaesthetic holes in the mold. This will transfer over, leaving the same impressions on your resin castings. As the mold ages, your resin will start to adhere then and pull apart the mold once you start demolding the cast.