Making a Custom Silicone Penguin Mold - DIY Resin Tutorial

Making a Penguin Silicone Mold - Part 1

Welcome to the first part in my series on making a custom silicone mold of a penguin figurine. As a small business owner specializing in epoxy resin crafts, I often get asked about the process of creating molds, so I thought it would be helpful to showcase exactly how I do it from start to finish.

Gathering the Supplies

The first step was pulling together all the materials I would need for making the mold. The main ingredients for silicone molds are silicone caulking and cornstarch. I purchased some penguin mold grade silicone to ensure it would cure properly without issues. Other essentials include mixing containers, stir sticks, a scale for weighing out the silicone, and Legos to build my mold box.

Building the Mold Box

Once I assembled everything, it was time to construct the actual mold box that would hold the penguin figurine and silicone. This enclosure is crucial because it needs to keep the liquid silicone completely surrounding the penguin statuette as it solidifies. I decided to use Legos stacked around the figure to craft a tight mold box. Legos work perfectly since they can be assembled into any shape or size.

I placed the penguin mold model right in the center and built up the walls on all sides, checking periodically that there was about a 1/2 inch clearance on every edge. I also made sure the box was secured and would not leak when the thick silicone got poured in.

Mixing up the Silicone

With my Lego mold box complete, I moved onto preparing the silicone itself. For this small penguin mold I estimated needing about 20 ounces of silicone to fully fill the box with extra to account for spillage. Using a digital scale I weighed out the correct portions of silicone caulk and cornstarch.

After donning protective equipment like glasses and gloves, I thoroughly mixed the silicone and cornstarch for several minutes until combined into an even consistency. Cornstarch acts as a thickening agent so the silicone does not seep underneath the penguin model. I whipped everything into a smooth, pourable liquid ready for pouring.

Pouring the Silicone

Next comes the fun part - pouring the mixed penguin mold silicone into the Lego enclosure! I carefully filled it up around the penguin figurine, ensuring all the nooks and crannies were covered completely. I poured slowly and tapped the box occasionally to allow any trapped air bubbles to rise to the surface.

Once the Lego mold was totally full, I let the silicone sit undisturbed so it could start curing. I knew the curing process would take at least 24 hours before the penguin mold could be removed from the box.

Unmolding and Trimming

After allowing my homemade penguin mold to cure fully, it was time for the big reveal - unmolding the silicone to expose the penguin shape inside! First I disassembled the Lego box pieces carefully. The silicone should now hold its molded form.

Previewing the Penguin Mold

Stay tuned to see the finishing touches I put on this DIY penguin mold and the test castings I make using it for crystal clear epoxy resin jewelry and decor!

Be sure to like and subscribe so you don't miss the next parts released in this silicone penguin mold tutorial series. Let me know in the comments below what types of resin castings you would love to see me make with my completed mold!

FAQs

What kind of silicone is best for making molds?

I recommend using platinum-cure silicone specifically formulated for mold making. It has high tear strength and flexibility to capture intricate details.

How long does it take silicone to fully cure?

Silicone molds take 24-48 hours to fully cure before removing from the mold box and trimming. Be patient and allow the full curing time.

What temperature should the silicone be when curing?

Ideally your workspace should remain around 70-80°F while the silicone mold cures. Drastic temperature swings can impact the curing process.

Can I make a one-piece mold?

For figures with intricate details or undercuts, opt for a two-piece mold to ensure the finished mold can be separated without damage.

How do I prevent air bubbles?

Lightly tap the filled mold box while pouring to help air bubbles rise to the surface before curing. Using a vacuum degassing chamber also helps eliminate bubbles.