How To Make Fiberglass Molds

Whether you want to model a statue, or just wish to customize your own auto parts, knowing how to create fiberglass molds can get you designing your own stuff in a snap. Agreed, creating fiberglass molds is not really a child’s play. Nevertheless, with a little craftiness and some patience you can easily forge interesting objects to suit your daily needs. Primarily made of fiberglass cloth and resin, fiberglass molds can be used to create a host of daily use items. What really makes these fiberglass composites a huge favorite is its durability, lightweight, resistance to corrosion and designing flexibility. Fiberglass moldings are not only lighter and rot resistant, but can be fashioned to forge almost anything, right from the hood of your car to helmets for your bike to safety equipments and much more. If you wish to customize your own fiberglass molds, then surfing through this step-by-step guide on fiberglass mold making can leave you with enough cues to get on with your own DIY project. To know more on this, read on.

Making Fiberglass Molds

Things You Will Need

Model
Gypsum
Modeling clay
Acetone
Polyvinyl alcohol
Mold release agent
Laminating resin
Masking tape
Burlap strips
Fiberglass cloth
Stirring and bowl tool
Paint
Paintbrush
Scissors
Sandpaper and files
Polypropylene funnels

Method

Forging your own fiberglass molds can be fun, given that you know how to go about it cautiously. You can start your project by glazing your soft, clay like mold by using a mold-releasing agent. You can use Krylon crystal clear to coat the mold or better bake the mold if made of clay. Now create a tall clay wall as tall as the mold next to the model and allow it to dry.
In a bucket, take some water and add gypsum to it. Stir the contents to make a smooth plastic mix. Apply a layer of this plastic plaster on one side of the mold next to the clay wall and allow it to cure completely before layering it with a second coat of plaster. Push thin strips of burlap inside the wet plaster and allow it to dry completely.
Once the second layer is dry, slap several coats of plaster and burlap to create a strong model. Follow the same process for the other side as well. Apply polyvinyl chloride inside the mold and wait for it to dry completely. This should complete your molding process.
Before you get on with the business of casting your fiberglass, don on your safety gear, disposable gloves, fiberglass-sanding respirator, safety goggles, and vapor mask. Now following the instruction on the kit, mix the resin with the catalyst.
Once the resin is ready, coat a layer on each half of the mold and leave it undisturbed. Then cut fiberglass cloth into thin strips and cover the impression coat with it. Apply coats of laminating resins followed by chips of fiberglass cloth until you achieve the desired thickness. Allow the resin to cure partially until the fiberglass becomes flexible and firm.
Snap the seal between the fiberglasses and the mold and gently take out pieces of fiberglass from each half of the mold. Now replace the fiberglass pieces into the mold and allow it to cure completely.
Using a masking tape, snip off the excess fiberglass from the corners of the impression to measure up with the line. Remove the masking tape from the fiberglass and cover the seam with a coat of fiberglass and cloth. Allow it to cure completely. Make sure your fiberglass is completely cured before putting the particle mask. Buffer the seam and then put the particle mask. This should complete your casting process.

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