I want to make bakery molds with special designs. My only concerns is if this type of silicone is safty for making food molds such as cake molds or cookie molds. I need to use the mold for baking cakes.
The video "Introduction to TAP Mold Making Products" explains many of the differences. In a nutshell, Silicone is more expensive and requires special techniques to remove bubbles. But, it does not require a mold release in most situations. This is a huge plus.
Urethane is less expensive, tougher, does not have bubble issues, but requires a mold release at all times.
Platinum Silicone combines the advantages of both in that it does not require a mold release and does not have bubble issues. However, it is the most expensive.
Basically I want to do the same, which is vacuum silicon to get the bubbles out.
I made up a vacuum chamber using an air compressor inlet for suction, I used frothed up milk to test if it works as frothed milk is full of bubbles but wasnt sure if it worked. Basically I vacuumed the milk and it almost spilled over then came back down, but there seemed to be more bubbles left until I opened the valve and it looked like the bubbles disappeared after the valve was opened. Is this correct?
You are very ingenious! The milk test indicates that you vacuum is working. However, different liquids have different reactions to a vacuum. Some liquids will boil under vacuum, which will create even more bubbles. Silicone will very likely behave differently than milk. You can test the silicone without having to waste any material.
Take the silicone base, without the catalyst, and stir it up to introduce air into the material. Then place that in the vacuum. If it bubbles up and collapses, then you know your vacuum is working, and the material is still good for future use. As you know, the vacuum will make the material bubble up and increase in volume 3 to 4 times, then collapse back down. At that point, it is basically de-aired. However, you will still see small bubbles coming to the surface.
The little bubbles do not harm the mixture. You see them because of the vacuum. When you open the valve, atmospheric pressure is increased and the little bubbles shrink and become invisible. Your silicone is then ready to pour.
how do you make what you molded shine like after you mold something and it doesnt hava a smooth surface would you buff it out or polish it i dont imagine you would use sandpaper but to round something like a conner Im starting to mold things with castin' craft and I want it to be crystal clear so you can see whats inside thanks for the help
Resin will pick up all the detail of the mold. So if the mold has a shiny surface, your casting will too. That is why it is important to prepare the mold, so you don't have to do a lot of work on each cast piece.
Apart from that, yes, Clear Lite Casting Resin can be easily polished. Depending on how rough the surface is, you may need to start with sand paper. You can start with a 320 sand paper, go to 400, and then use a buffing wheel with buffing compound. If you still see scratches, go to 600 paper then buff. It is possible to make the surface glass clear.
The thinner makes it easier to brush a bubble-free layer onto your part. It does not increase the ability to pick up detail. Regular un-thinned silicone will pick up detail 10 times finer than the eye can see.
Another truly excellent video! If I used the "bombs away" method I would probably use a plumb bob and string to determine where to place the cup and mold...
It depends on the defect and the casting medium. If the defect is from a bubble in the mold, it will show up as a bump on the cast part, which must be removed. Some resins such as Quik Cast can be pulled from the mold before they are fully cured and trimmed with a knife. Polyester and epoxy resins must fully cure before mold removal. They would then require a grinder to remove the bump.
If urethane molds and silicone molds are both rubbery, what advantage does the silicone mold have, since it seemed the urethane mold didn't have the bubble problem?
Hmmm, never heard of the bombs away method. I'll have to try that.
Also never used a 2 cup method for mixing. Seems like a good way to leave expensive RTV behind in the 1st cup. Why not try folding the RTV in the cup? Much like bakers do when making sure the cake batter is compleatly mixed. Anyways thanks for the instruction vids!!
wow..theme song is a bit... peppy isn't it?? I mean a bit more like a candy commerical?? Ok ok.. so anyway good video..
mxferro 3 months ago
That was an excellent how to vid. Bombs away!
GSRJosh33 6 months ago
"Bombs Away" method, lol.
Great instructional video :)
bobedwardsjr 1 year ago
I do silicon molds since 95, that "bombs away" method is not a bad idea if a vacuum-chamber is not available
tritop 1 year ago 12
Wish I had the funds to buy some of this stuff. I've got some great ideas for some projects now. Awesome tutorial video!
JerryTerrifying 2 years ago
Great Items!
I want to make bakery molds with special designs. My only concerns is if this type of silicone is safty for making food molds such as cake molds or cookie molds. I need to use the mold for baking cakes.
ll1100000 2 years ago 2
We cannot say whether this silicone is safe or not for food contact because it has not been tested and certified safe by the FDA.
tapplastics 2 years ago
The video "Introduction to TAP Mold Making Products" explains many of the differences. In a nutshell, Silicone is more expensive and requires special techniques to remove bubbles. But, it does not require a mold release in most situations. This is a huge plus.
Urethane is less expensive, tougher, does not have bubble issues, but requires a mold release at all times.
tapplastics 2 years ago
Platinum Silicone combines the advantages of both in that it does not require a mold release and does not have bubble issues. However, it is the most expensive.
tapplastics 2 years ago
bombs away. good tutorial...
sdutango 2 years ago
we demand tap plastics in europe
Arilouu 2 years ago
thanks TAP Plastics you guys are the best!
Pepito0001001001 2 years ago
can this silicone compound be used for molding food? i want to make a popsicle mold but was concerned about the material being "food grade". thanks!
jumplewis 2 years ago
No, it is not designed for food contact.
tapplastics 2 years ago
could possibly use a vacuum cleaner to create a vacuum chamber although you might struggle with power
grimgroper 2 years ago
Thank you for that fantastic explanation.
I will try the silicon without the second part/hardener.
I have read I need approximately 29 inches of vacuum, so I will be getting a vacuum gauge soon just to make sure on the pressure.
Thanks again:)
toranacar 2 years ago
Hello
Basically I want to do the same, which is vacuum silicon to get the bubbles out.
I made up a vacuum chamber using an air compressor inlet for suction, I used frothed up milk to test if it works as frothed milk is full of bubbles but wasnt sure if it worked. Basically I vacuumed the milk and it almost spilled over then came back down, but there seemed to be more bubbles left until I opened the valve and it looked like the bubbles disappeared after the valve was opened. Is this correct?
toranacar 2 years ago
You are very ingenious! The milk test indicates that you vacuum is working. However, different liquids have different reactions to a vacuum. Some liquids will boil under vacuum, which will create even more bubbles. Silicone will very likely behave differently than milk. You can test the silicone without having to waste any material.
tapplastics 2 years ago
Take the silicone base, without the catalyst, and stir it up to introduce air into the material. Then place that in the vacuum. If it bubbles up and collapses, then you know your vacuum is working, and the material is still good for future use. As you know, the vacuum will make the material bubble up and increase in volume 3 to 4 times, then collapse back down. At that point, it is basically de-aired. However, you will still see small bubbles coming to the surface.
tapplastics 2 years ago
The little bubbles do not harm the mixture. You see them because of the vacuum. When you open the valve, atmospheric pressure is increased and the little bubbles shrink and become invisible. Your silicone is then ready to pour.
tapplastics 2 years ago
how do you make what you molded shine like after you mold something and it doesnt hava a smooth surface would you buff it out or polish it i dont imagine you would use sandpaper but to round something like a conner Im starting to mold things with castin' craft and I want it to be crystal clear so you can see whats inside thanks for the help
iknitsteel2990 2 years ago
Resin will pick up all the detail of the mold. So if the mold has a shiny surface, your casting will too. That is why it is important to prepare the mold, so you don't have to do a lot of work on each cast piece.
tapplastics 2 years ago
Apart from that, yes, Clear Lite Casting Resin can be easily polished. Depending on how rough the surface is, you may need to start with sand paper. You can start with a 320 sand paper, go to 400, and then use a buffing wheel with buffing compound. If you still see scratches, go to 600 paper then buff. It is possible to make the surface glass clear.
tapplastics 2 years ago
thanks alot for the bombs away method I have small molds to make and several $100's are not in the budget
infernau 3 years ago
Can I use silicon molds for soap making?
anutochkaM 3 years ago
excellent video!
elisabiscuit 3 years ago
does the thinner let you cast more detail in you mold
97144967 3 years ago
The thinner makes it easier to brush a bubble-free layer onto your part. It does not increase the ability to pick up detail. Regular un-thinned silicone will pick up detail 10 times finer than the eye can see.
tapplastics 3 years ago
Another truly excellent video! If I used the "bombs away" method I would probably use a plumb bob and string to determine where to place the cup and mold...
NipkowDisk 3 years ago
would a food vac work.
tdchoice 3 years ago
What kind of handwork do the defects require?
anonymusbob101 3 years ago
It depends on the defect and the casting medium. If the defect is from a bubble in the mold, it will show up as a bump on the cast part, which must be removed. Some resins such as Quik Cast can be pulled from the mold before they are fully cured and trimmed with a knife. Polyester and epoxy resins must fully cure before mold removal. They would then require a grinder to remove the bump.
tapplastics 3 years ago
If urethane molds and silicone molds are both rubbery, what advantage does the silicone mold have, since it seemed the urethane mold didn't have the bubble problem?
Seabirdicat 3 years ago
costs less! thats my guess
billab0ng18o 3 years ago
Tap Tap plastics :DD Thanks man
Gonamez 3 years ago
wow i wonder were i can buy this!
whateverme16 3 years ago
thank you so much for this video !
LunaticAligator 3 years ago
Great vid guys.
Ive used that method for years but had never heard it called the bombs away method.. neat
guslingus 3 years ago
Hmmm, never heard of the bombs away method. I'll have to try that.
Also never used a 2 cup method for mixing. Seems like a good way to leave expensive RTV behind in the 1st cup. Why not try folding the RTV in the cup? Much like bakers do when making sure the cake batter is compleatly mixed. Anyways thanks for the instruction vids!!
LordNth 3 years ago
i like the theme song! Tap Tap plastics! lol
infinite7z 3 years ago 12
Thanks so much for this. I would have made more than a couple of mistakes tomorrow!
cheers, toon
tooninoz 3 years ago
lol bombs away method!
this is such a great video <3
Thank you so much
videogal22 4 years ago 3
Awesome tips!
swat253 4 years ago
very good vid...
tambor74 4 years ago
De-gassing I noticed other people call it
OghamTheBold 4 years ago
Very informative. Thank you.
theresa5 4 years ago