Make Your Own SILICONE MOLDS on a BUDGET -TESTING 4 METHODS

I had a lot of fun making this video on can you make your own silicone molds on a budget. I have watched a lot of instruction methods on this and thought it would be easy. I will let you be the judge of whether it was easy or not to make your own silicone molds on a budget. I did have a laugh though, especially method 3.
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[@BoingotheClown]

I have used the cornstarch method several times, and I find it works very well. You simply did it wrong. You are supposed to add a small amount of acrylic craft paint to it, not just to colour it, but to speed up the curing process. You are also supposed to mix a lot of the cornstarch into the silicone while it is still in the cup. This will make it much less sticky when you start kneading it. While I do wear gloves and frequently get sticky fingers, I have actually used my bare hands with the cornstarch method on occasion without having to remove goo from my hands afterwards. The mixture cures very quickly, often within 15 minutes(!). The molds are not crumbly like your's was. They are firm and hard like those little bouncey rubber balls I used to play with when I was a kid, and the detail they pick up is marvelous.

[@chebal2939]

I’ll give it a try 👍🏻 Should I aim for 50/50 silicone/cornstarch?

[@kayekaye251]

Thank you for your guidance. I recently did one wrong too, so got to try again.

[@steph648]

I agree. I use the cornstarch and silicone method all the time and it works great for me. I just mix it really well and thoroughly in the mixing cup. I don’t handle it at all (like kneading). I also like how quick it cures.

[@janetsnitzer7090]

Did it work?

[@santosdanna]

plus he got baby oil all over it. He should have changed gloves and covered work area

[@sadbb]

The amount of failure you're saving me, you're a hero!

[@cindystave627]

My thoughts exactly!

[@jackvos8047]

Learn from the mistakes of other because you won't live long enough to make them all yourself.

[@sirizurc7765]

🤣😂😭

[@bellamoments5908]

He's adorable the cornstarch method had me dying!🤣 It's a beautiful thing when we can laugh at ourselves. I do it all the time. Thanks for sharing ❤️

[@james5011]

FYI: If you want a smooth pourable silicone for making cast molds use 100% silicone roof / RV coating which comes in 1 gallon cans at your local hardware store in the roofing section.

[@dibright1445]

Mr. Eaton, do you have to mix the 1% silicone roof/RV coating with anything or just pour over the item you want to make a mold for? I have a larger item I want to make a mold for and this sounds like a great idea. Thanks for any information you can provide for me.

[@jenniferfletcher5425]

Do tell more.

[@yolandagofigure]

Thank you because I don't have a silicone gun.

[@yolandagofigure]

I wonder what the ratio would be 🤔

[@texasgemtree]

The cornstarch one is supposed to be stirred until it becomes firm and THEN use hands to knead it. Also, you are supposed to add acrylic paint because it has a water base which causes the correct silicone to harden, like the soapy water. If you have the wrong type of silicone (II) it is not quite going to work. Silicone l is the correct type. It smells like vinegar when curing. Burns the nose a bit.

[@emrage]

Use a little bit of olive oil and add more cornstarch as you go along

[@emrage]

@@marciamarcia7449You want food grade silicone in that case

[@brucevanbeek3133]

Add food coloring first then corn starch mix till it is almost dry or not sticky. Then use it fast in 20 minutes it's hard .

[@theodoreburt7638]

I have had quite a bit of success with this method (number 3) and recommend. Stirring it until it starts to firm is a good point it has a work time that makes it less stick as time passes. Also you can dust hands and surfaces with the corn starch to like you wewd when making dough. I usually mix it, wait a few minutes and then start to work it in to a mold

[@theodoreburt7638]

I had a laugh too when I first tried this method and it was even funnier because i decided to do WITHOUT gloves. What a great time that was!

[@krismaxwell1385]

I've tried these methods and, after an even worse mess with the cornstarch than you got, I found a way to use it with a lot of success. Put you silicone into a plastic bag and add a small amount of cornstarch (maybe half a teaspoon for the amount of silicon you used) and knead it until mixed. Cut a corner of the bag and squeeze the mix out where you want it. The more cornstarch you use, the harder it sets. For faster, smoother setting, add a couple of drops of glycerine. You can also use just the glycerine, but it take longer to set. The dishsoap molds work, but don't hold up well. I hope this helps!

[@CancunManny]

Also, it seems there are two things to look for on the silicone, for it to be 100% silicone and for it to mention something about acid on the curing agents.

[@oddjobbobb]

@@CancunManny I know that when I buy silicone for this I am careful to buy Silicone Type 1. It has a strong smell of vinegar (the acid you mention) although I think it is actually ureic acid. Silicone Type 2 doesn’t have that strong vinegar smell. There is also a $3-4 a tube difference in price. I get my Silicone Type 1 on Amazon for about $4.50 a 10 oz. tube.

[@2degucitas]

@@oddjobbobb It's acetic acid, the acid in vinegar

[@oddjobbobb]

@@2degucitas thank you for that clarification. I remember now that I first encountered that smell decades ago when I entered a good friends photo lab. I thought there was something wrong about saying that smell was vinegar. Thank you again!

[@alfredorukulan4348]

Ni

[@yasminmckenzie6885]

Your laugh is infectious. Having said that, I tried method one & big success 🙌

[@humblehombre9904]

The best result I’ve had is the corn starch. However, sprinkle the starch onto your surface, then the caulk. Add a sprinkle of starch onto the caulk, and begins to fold it in. When it gets sticky, dust with starch. When you can handle it, it is ready. I tried mixing with alcohol, xylene, varsol, mineral oil. The mixes never set. Absolute failure, such as your too. So thanks for your input. Nice laughter brother. It still makes me roar. Warm regards from Canada, or is it Canader. Lol. Good-day, eh?!

[@markduggan3451]

I'm glad you did this as it saves us using a lot of silicone. I'm going to give the washing up liquid one a go.

[@deborahswings]

I love doing the free form molds with the caulking and I’m working one now but have never tried this method .. your a hoot hun!💕

[@MartianCreations]

thanks for letting me know that, no, I dont want to go through all that trouble. Thanks for the link to a sensibly priced silicone mold mixture! AND its clear. I use UV resin and need to replicate my favorite mold so that its clear enough for the UV to penetrate. Again, thank you!

[@lucylastic]

Loved it, I snorted thru you giggling at the cornstarch:) Thank you for going through such a mess, That was fun and informative

[@nikkibayo]

You’re the FIRST person I’ve seen who said you had COLD water! Thank you!

[@shoachiwarrior]

I use the cornstarch one all the time and it works beautifully for me. Flexible and durable. I put cornstarch down first on the counterand then add silicon. I kneed it together adding cornstarch add needed as I go. Hopefully you have better luck!

[@donnamcdonald9]

Lol, it did make me chuckle number 3. Thanks for sharing Steve. Xxx

[@jennifermassey9051]

Oh I got a kick out of the cornstarch one! So funny! And Darth was hilarious! Thanks for going to all the trouble. ❤️

[@gillianpritchard2105]

I like the way we’re watching your first attempts at the silicone molds

[@tnichole013]

I’ve used the dish soap method tons and it’s my go to!!! Cheap and easy! 😊

[@marafuser1883]

Thankyou for sharing Steve

[@humblehombre9904]

Your laughter makes it all worthwhile. Brilliant that you did not cut this.

[@Made4YouResin]

Your laugh when you did the corn flour made my day 🤣

[@aounjung2417]

Thank you for this tutorial video, you’re so awesome enjoying yourself, I’m really enjoy your laughs very much

[@Lourin911]

I've watched this enough to feel a personal connection and natural concern for Oswald at this point......😂😂😂 I sure how he's been rescued. ❤

[@comeandletusreason]

So much fun to watch and learn! ☺️

[@debramccune9801]

I have been wondering about these methods. Glad you tried it for us.

[@lorenajcrouse3364]

Thank you for testing this and saving us all the money.

[@debbrady497]

thank you for saving me a lot of money because I didn’t waste my money on products to try to make these molds myself!❤❤

[@Lourin911]

Like like like ... Love love love, laugh laugh laugh!!! Thank you for all of it.

[@MissLoriAAnne]

I’ve done the silicone with washing up liquid and it worked good for me. Good show

[@shavonmarie6995]

This was quite entertaining and yet informative. Thank you for taking the time to share! :)

[@paulczarnecki775]

Thank you! I have a russian made pellet gun that is no longer imported to the u.s..i used the cornstarch method to mold a new magazine for it as parts are no longer available.....it came out beautiful , all the very small details came out great! Functions as well as the original!!!!

[@nellisart462]

For small things I use Sculpey clay and bake it. Comes out very detailed

[@brianburke2140]

sculpey used to make a flexible after-baking version. It was great for small short-run mold making. good for lightweight accesories as well.

[@fshs1949]

Thank you so much for teaching us.

[@simonesheeka6791]

Omg Ive laughed so much..thankyou .....method 3...that’s my way of doing things.... Thankyou again

[@karenjoncour6151]

I love watching your comparisons and experiments Steve.🤣

[@cathyhallett3092]

You made me laugh with the cornstarch one, so funny - really enjoying your videos so Thankyou! 😊

[@GlossyLipsArt]

That is pretty cool ! Ive tried the cornstarch method and it really frustrated me until i just gave up. It was sticking everywhere. Thank you for sharing and also trying so many methods to help us and safe us time/money.

[@purplesage6165]

When you started laughing, I just about spit out my tea! Love the video and tips!

[@olgacolonforeversky]

You had me and my little ones laughing when it got stuck to the glove. Nice video

[@thewheekshow5537]

I tried method 3 tonight before finding your videos. It was *hilarious* 🤣

[@jewelryjunkie5953]

Omgosh Steve, first of all I love your videos!! Second, thank you for saving me the time, trouble, and money of testing these out myself! And third, lol, we had the exact same laugh going at 5:04!!! 🤣❤️🤣

[@angelamcdonagh1026]

Steve I think would be an excellent tv show for children’s craft as he’s fun 🤩

[@aceundead4750]

Tip for anyone who uses mineral spirits WASH YOUR HANDS BEFORE YOU TOUCH YOUR FACE OTHERWISE YOU COULD END UP GETTING A STYE. We use it to rinse machining oil off parts where i work, even after your hand has dried if you didnt wash it there is the risk of a stye.

[@BuddhaFang]

This is awesome, thank you!

[@alwayscreatedforyou]

Omg you gave me a good chuckle with the cornstarch. I loved your response ❤️❤️

[@lindaojeda36]

You are so much fun!

[@hasretg5990]

Thank you for this video, it was helpful and funny!

[@mary-ruthflores4107]

The cornstarch one is made like pasta. You make a mound of cornstarch, make a hollow in it, and add the silicon. Kneed it together, pulling the starch in until it is firm. Just like adding an egg to flour when making pasta. It works very well. Make sure you use the silicon that smells like vinegar, the other ones doesn’t work

[@lzrd8460]

I was laughing so hard I cried while watching the 3rd (?) one with the corn flour! Too funny.

[@swwsociety1877]

That was really entertaining & informative. Thank you

[@WaningGibbous]

Lol you are a delight! And i love your laugh :)

[@denisemangum9274]

You were cracking me up on 3&4. Love your videos ❤

[@klartistic]

Very entertaining. I laughed so loud when you did the one with corn starch. 😁🇦🇺

[@joshchavers7391]

Thank you from both of us.

[@laineykearns4506]

Brilliant funny video. Gutted they didn't work better as would have been brilliant money saver! Thanks for trying the out.

[@LaurenFitzgerald-gs6hv]

Your laugh is contagious!

[@tishaedward8445]

Lol well that was fun to watch and educational 🥰🥰 thank you for the advice... I love your videos 💕💕

[@CoolKoon]

Thanks for the tests, it was really useful!

[@artflobymoe]

Thank you for sharing!!

[@SimplyKharil]

Hilarious !!!! when you started laughing , you made me laugh! Ohh, I was in tears! Thanks!

[@LisaVornhagen]

Thanks for sharing that! Very interesting results. I've just seen that dish soap method in a different video and it worked well there, too. The cornstarch was crazy! I was laughing along with you!

[@michaelmidnight7092]

Hello, so i have done the silicone and corn flour one, it worked really well, thou i did use washing up liquid on my gloves when mixing the two ingredients together, i cast shells and crystals, as i said this one worked really well for me.. thanks for the giggles and your raspberries

[@Aangel452]

Your hilarious, great experiment. Cheers

[@sheenamoore3938]

Only just found you,and boy what a find. Thank you.

[@kathyjones274]

So funny. It was great fun watching you have so much fun with the experiment. Thank you for doing all of this for us.I for one couldn't do it. No room at my studio.

[@joannegreenwood3803]

Hi Steve, have to say I love this video, so funny laughing my socks off. So glad i didn't have to clean up all the corn starch and amazed you kept going to get it to work! Great that you show us the fails as well. Would love to join but can't justify £4.99 a month at present time.

[@melissanielsen8215]

I laughed my socks off too 🤣😂😀😊🙄🤣😃🤗

[@shilohhoman8789]

Thank you so much that was great.

[@ThePinkPrincessJEN]

This is like absolute goop. LOL you crack me up, I just found your channel and I really appreciate the work you go through! Really enjoy your videos

[@andrewarthurmatthews6685]

You can’t beat silicon rubber for the best most accurate most detailed and reusable material for castings

[@MichaelGallagherSculpting]

Brilliant…. I fell about 😆 laughing and Learning

[@Nirrrina]

Number 3 is what invitingly happens to me everytime I try to work flour into dough. It's a good thing I was making dense dumplings instead of light fluffy bread.

[@Squidbush8563]

I'm glad to find out I'm not that only one that ends up with %75 of the dough stuck to my hands when I'm trying to make noodles.

[@nancyeaguiar]

I loved that you try all the methods I’m afraid of. Thanks! Also, I’ve heard that if you mix the 100% silicone with 100% acetone you can make runny silicone for 3D models.

[@sydneypied]

I wonder if it would work using alcohol

[@kaieteurcanada]

Try using the soapy water mix up first then flatten out the silicone on the table, sprinkle the cornstarch and knead like bread.

[@kim99may]

I rewatched this and was completely entertained by the mess and the silicone sticking to the gloves 🧤. Been there done that mess! Lol 😝

[@heathermaich8966]

hilarious Steve, thank you!

[@galady8632]

@@SteveMcDonaldArtsandCrafts ... In all honesty I cannot tolerate creators that (1) have zero sense-of-humor and (2) cannot laugh at themselves. Some of my own adventures ended up with me in the ER. The craziest one = I drove myself to the hospital with 2 huge, blood-soaked towels wrapped around my left arm. I was laughing so hard they feared I was on drugs. I had been using a wire brush on my electric drill to remove layers of paint from an old iron headboard and footboard. My long sleeved shirt worked free of the rubber bands securing them, the drill caught the left sleeve then dug into my forearm. I was unable to remove the shirt or drill. Imagine the shock when the nurses discovered the cord, then the drill - all tangled in bloody, waist-length hair that I managed to chop off so I could see to drive to the ER. Yup, creators need to be able to laugh at themselves.

[@angiegarden8196]

Love the 5min mark classic.

[@rachaelriddle5872]

Ha ha! Thank you for being the “guinea pig” with these experiments! Nicely done!

[@2degucitas]

That silicone caulk requires contact with air to cure. You could just squeeze caulk around that figure directly. A moistened finger could smooth each layer to pack it in and remove bubbles. I have done this myself so I know. You could craft glue the figure bottom to a sheet of plastic and put the caulk on the figure directly, either out of the tube or with the soap method.

[@notafan1275]

Thanks, you have answered the question I wanted to ask. Would it be a good idea to dip the figure in soapy water first for easier release?

[@2degucitas]

@@notafan1275 Yes. A thin layer of soap or oil to be a release agent. I found out the hard way that silicone sticks to plaster if I don't use release agent. The object was ruined by trying to remove the silicone.

[@melissanielsen8215]

Thankyou I had so m7ch fun laughing with you on this video . You are fun.

[@dayinthelifeofmycat1]

Absolutely dying laughing over the cornstarch!

[@franifryer6288]

Lol the cornstarch had me in stitches

[@AdrianMcD1969]

That was really funny. Thanks

[@danettemurphy3299]

LOL! Method 3 made me laugh so much. Thank you for a good laugh. Otherwise very informative, thank you.😉👍

[@LowVisionUKTerrysView]

hahaha - loved this video, made me chuckle

[@Seb30able]

Number 3 is punk pre-school, lol. Love the "farts".

[@anikehazel77]

Lmaoo I lost it when you were laughing at the silicone sticking to your gloves 😂😂😂

[@DocBree13]

Me too!

[@cynthiacarr3294]

I love using the dish soap recipe! The cornstarch is cool too smelly but add acrylic paint color it help. Especially if you want it more durable, solid. A bit messy im glad I was outside lol I looked like I had been baking with the Pillsbury Dough Man 🤣🤣🤣😁 but it was Fun! Thanks for the video you're the Best Steve👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽🤣😁

[@RS_82]

Informative video. Well done!

[@lorimontcalm9086]

I laughed quite hard at the sticky cornstarch mess. Thanks for sharing your experiment. Comments on how to do the cornstarch technique were interesting. I'm not doing any of them but still interesting to watch read and learn.

[@planetgannet]

Love number three! Hilarious!

[@fritula6200]

What a lovely man and his lovely video.

[@carolleggett2072]

You are so funny 🤣 😆 your brought sunshine to my day, thank you

[@TheCyberHippie]

I've seen the corn starch method work quite well, but the trick is to add just enough corn starch that the silicon stops adhering to the gloves and not much more than that. There's a slight loss of detail due to the texture of the corn starch but the method does seem reasonable for quick small casting projects. The "Dawn" method is, from what I've seen, the best, but is quite stinky as the solvent is pulled out of the silicon. Mind you, the technique I'd seen before involved dish soap and hot water. Using cold water may help suppress the odor somewhat, but I'd suggest a well ventilated area just the same. I had never seen the other two methods tried before. I suspect they might work if the amount of stuff added is small.

[@cissikiki4172]

Nice ones and thanks for your laugh 🤣🤣🤣🤩🌟👏

[@meguellatisabrina5631]

3 method is fine if you put in the same effort as the others: use a suitable container, start with a layer of cornstarch to prevent silicone from sticking to the bottom, pour the silicone on top and then add some more starch. Use a stick to start incorporating and then your hands. I tried it and it was a success from the first time. I think it's even better since the starch add volume to the final mass

[@calycalyps0]

Same it worked for me too I out down corn starch and then put the silicone on it. Cover it in cornstarch and make sure your hands/gloves are covered in corn starch. I just dabbed on it a bit and covered it again every time it would even slightly start to stick until it could take it into my hands like a puddy 🤷‍♀️ the more starch you add the harder it is and less stretchy and less makes it softer and more stretchy It's actually quite awesome to me because you can make really soft ones but also firm ones and it's cheap

[@ZippedUpKitz]

Number 3 with the corn starch was hilarious..l.

[@inkadinkadoodle]

Method #3: I've used it, and it works very well, but you obviously can't go at it hammer-and-tongs like you did! :D I poured out about a cup of cornstarch onto a disposable (well, reusable and disposable) plate, then squeezed the silicone on top. I kneaded the cornstarch in, gradually and carefully, until I'd gotten a smooth, pliable dough. This has become my go-to method, and I've made a bunch of molds of antique lamp finials, antique salt and pepper shakers, and other fun old knick-knacks. :)

[@SamuelJMoe]

Nice video Steve I nearly lost it with the cornstarch one when it got stuck to your hands that crack me up you have a fantastic day Steve

[@SamuelJMoe]

@@SteveMcDonaldArtsandCrafts I absolutely can totally relate sometimes when I'm filming I can't even keep a straight face and I'm trying you have a great day we all need a good laugh every once in awhile😁

[@quietinspirationcreations3448]

I have used mineral spirits to make pourable silicone multiple times and aside from the initial smell it works great for me! The idea is to thin the silicone just long enough to cast it, then the mineral spirits evaporate leaving the dried silicone. You have to make sure that your silicone is 100% silicone, and not a mixed caulk, or it won't work, and the smell does dissipate after a few days.

[@aaronrose186]

I had the same result as he did, and i used 100% silicone and acetone. Took weeks to cure

[@cf2796]

I love that u laughed about the cornstarch fail~~