Casting Parts

[Jordan Baker]

Hi all

I figured I would post somthing here instead of in the Carrier forum.

The stuff that i use comes from a company called Alumilite. The website is www.alumilite.com They sell a variety of two part casting resins along with silicone rubbers for making moulds. The website is really good with lots of step by step photo instructions for a vareity of different mold makings and casting tips.

For my own personal casting Im rather comfortable with the resins as I have been using them for about 5-6 years with my building scale models. However when I read about the rubber tail lamps falling apart after being out in the elements I figured I would have a go at making my own.

I purchased an original from another forum member that was in really good shape for 60 year old rubber. My primary concern was that the silicone rubber used for making molds would bond to the rubber part. The silicone rubbers bonds perfectly to itself even if one is already cured. After many assurances from the people at Alumilite is used the HSIII casting rubber. This stuff has unbelievable give and can really bend without tearing.

It was then just a matter of making a box and mixing up the silicone. Carefully poor the silicone into the box and then let it sit for the specified amount of time. i think I let is sit for about 48 hrs before I demolded the original.

For the rubber itself Alumilite sells a product called Flex 80. It is a 2 part urathane casting rubber. Just pour two equal amounts and then mix for about 1 min. The simply pour it carefully into the mold. I demolded it in 1hr. The instructions say 30 min but I always wait a bit longer. The other important thing to remember is to the preheat the mold. I justt put it in the microwave for about 2min.