Using silicone molds for resin crafts may be a fun and innovative interest. Whether you’re making an artsy dice set or a stunning bangle bracelet, resin silicone molds make it easy to create beautiful pieces. But if you want your molds to be ultimate, taking proper care of them is essential. Custom silicone molds care isn’t complex. However, common mistakes humans make can shorten their mold’s lifespan. Here are 7 silicone mold care mistakes you must avoid to preserve your molds in the best situations.
7 Silicone Mold Care Mistakes You Can Easily Avoid
Not Storing Your Molds Flat
One perfect way to damage your silicone molds is to stack them in a pile. Doing that can bend, warp, or buckle the molds. Once a resin casting mold is bent out of form, it’s nearly impossible to get it flat again.
How to Avoid This:
Always keep your molds in a single, flat layer. If you’re short on garage space, you can place a piece of cardboard between the layers of molds. This will ensure that each mold stays flat and protected.
Pro Tip:
If you want to stack molds, place a firm, flat item, like a piece of cardboard, between them to create layers. This prevents warping and keeps your molds in shape.
Skipping the Mold Release Spray
Some skip using mold release, questioning whether it’s no longer essential. However, mold release spray is critical for maintaining your flexible silicone molds. It prevents the resin from sticking and makes demolding less complicated. Without it, your molds can expand into tiny microtears that lead to ripping over the years.
How to Avoid This:
Always use a resin mold release spray before pouring resin into the mold. This will make the resin less complicated to remove and extend the life of your molds.
Bonus Tip:
Mold launch is vital for tricky molds with small details. It allows the resin to release without damaging the delicate areas.
Exposing Molds to Heat and Sunlight
Leaving your molds in direct daylight or near heat resources can dry out the silicone. This makes the mold brittle and more likely to disintegrate or stick to the resin. Heat and UV light are enemies of silicone molds.
How to Avoid This:
Store your molds in a cool, dry location far away from windows or warmers. Avoid leaving them in warm motors or locations where the temperature rises rapidly.
Pro Tip:
If you have to save your molds where there is some sunlight, place them in an opaque container or cover them with a cloth to block out UV light.
Neglecting Long-Term Storage
Sometimes, you will only use your silicone baking molds briefly. If left without help, the molds can lose their shape. Over time, this could cause warping, making it more challenging to get an ideal resin casting later.
How to Avoid This:
When storing molds for lengthy intervals, place a casting (even one in every one of your resin mistakes) in the mold to assist it in maintaining its form. If the mold is very particular, you could pour warm candle wax into it to maintain its shape.
Pro Tip:
The wax can be effortlessly removed later, leaving your mold in an ideal shape for subsequent use.
Poking Holes inside the Mold
If you want to mark something, it can also appear innocent to poke a hollow for your silicone mold care. However, this will best motivate problems. Once there’s a hollow, the mold can stretch, lose shape, or leak resin when you pour it.
How to Avoid This:
Instead of poking or slicing your mold, use a marker to label or mark it. You can constantly wipe off the marker later without causing damage to the mold.
Pro Tip:
A great-tip marker makes high-quality, minor, clear marks without damaging the mold.
Not Cleaning Your Molds Properly
After using your molds for resin casting, it is vital to smooth them properly. Some humans pass this step, leaving resin or dust in the back, potentially harming the mold through the years. Also, don’t use harsh chemical substances or a dishwasher to smooth your molds. This can spoil them.
How to Avoid This:
Wash your molds with warm water and slight soap after every use. Avoid using solvents, as they could smash down the silicone. Never position silicone molds inside the dishwasher, as the warmth and vicious detergents can harm them.
Bonus Tip:
Make sure the molds are completely dry before storing them. This will prevent mold and mold from forming.
Using Too Much Heat
When working with resin, you might use warmth to pop bubbles. However, applying excessive warmth to your silicone molds can cause warping or even burn the mold. Using a lighter or torch can also soften or distort the silicone.
How to Avoid This:
Use a heat gun at a low setting instead of using a flame or excessive heat. Gently apply heat to remove bubbles without harming the mold.
Pro Tip:
Move the heat gun in small, circular motions to distribute the heat evenly and prevent hot spots that could burn the silicone.
China Manufacturer of Affordable Silicone Molds
EX Mould Co., Limited is the best silicone mold manufacturing. We create all forms of custom silicone molds and offer plastic injection molds. Our team has several experience with multi-hollow space molds, micro molds, and over molds. We also provide automated de-molding and superior generation.
We have a workshop with robust technical talents and contemporary equipment for making silicone molds. Our molds are remarkable, with low viscosity, proper fluidity, warmness resistance, and tear resistance. They are robust, clean to use, and don’t deform.
FAQs About Silicone Mold Care
Can I stack silicone molds to keep the area?
No, stacking molds can cause them to bend and distort. Permanently save molds flat or with a protective layer, like cardboard, between them.
Why do I want to use mold-release spray?
Mold release spray prevents resin from sticking to the mold. It makes demolding less complicated and protects your mold from microtears.
Can I quickly remove my silicone molds from the dishwasher?
No, washing silicone molds inside the dishwasher can harm them. Always hand-wash your molds with heated water and mild cleaning soap.
Final Thoughts
Silicone molds are vital for resin crafting, but properly caring for them will ensure they last a long time. Avoiding those seven common mistakes will help preserve your molds in brilliant form so you can enjoy creating lovely resin projects without worrying about changing them too frequently.
