| |
 RD-407 Mask Making Latex
|
Click here to zoom
|
| Above: Anthony Giordano, Prop Master for 'Saturday Night Live,' begins the process of creating a latex mask. Anthony starts with an original clay sculpture. When complete, he will make a two-part plaster mold using CastRite. Once the mold is finished and cleaned of clay he will pour in ArtMolds' RD-407 masking making latex. The latex is allowed to sit for approximately an hour, then poured back out again. What remains clinging to the sides of the plaster negative will dry over the next day and be peeled out to become the actual mask. It is the trimmed, sanded, painted and finished. |
Above. 407 Casting Latex is poured into a plaster mold of a mask. The mold is filled to the top. It is allowed to stand for about 45-minutes and then the 407 is poured back into its receptacle. The mold is tilted upside to drain. It is allowed to dry overnight before it is demolded. |
|
RD-407 Casting Latex is THE liquid rubber used to make high quality masks, body parts and as a skin over polyurethane foams. RD-407 is the industry standard as it is the highest quality of latex available. RD-407 has a very good consistency, but may be thinned with water if needed, and it builds up a good thickness.
How to Use It
The latex is usually used in a plaster mold because of the porous nature of plaster. When latex is poured into plaster, the plaster sucks the water out the latex which in turn sets the latex leaving a thin skin. Silicone and urethane molds can be used, but the results can be inferior as they do not have the same curing properties.
Making a latex mold is a simple process just pour in the RD-407 latex and let it stand for about 15 minutes or so. Then pour it out. Often you may achieve better results by slush casting or rolling the latex around in the mold before you pour the excess out.
Latex can be tinted in advance by adding acrylic based paints. When tinting latex note that colors tend to dry darker then they initially appear. |
|
Raw Latex Mask after demolding
and before painting |
Completed latex mask ready to wear. |
|
The latex surface can be painted after the mask using common latex based paints.
Latex Tips:
Thinning: You may thin latex by adding water (use distilled water)
Ammonia: RD-407 contains ammonia which can evaporate. Smell the latex, and if the ammonia smell has gone or diminished, add up to 26% Aqua Ammonia (from a chemical supply store). Ammonia at grocery stores is 2-3% and contains soap. Add a little at a time . . . just enough to bring it back to normal.
Shipping Latex is destroyed when it freezes. That means it requires special handling in winter weather. It must be shipped 1- or 2-day service. | | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
EnvironMolds is pleased to offer classes and workshops.
Each month a different subject is covered. From life
casting to mold making, an EnvironMolds class may just be
the answer to take your art to the next level.
|
EnvironMolds offers a number of exciting projects to choose from.
Whether it is fine art or if you are into crafting, you can
select from among the intriguing projects on our website.
We take you step-by-step.
|
|
 |
Catalog
Our famous
art supply catalogs
have something
for everyone. |
| |
 |
| |
Teachers & Educators
Lesson Plans
School Discounts
|
|
