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

[@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?

[@EKA201-j7f]

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

[@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 ❤️

[@nikkibayo]

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

[@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 🤔

[@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]

🤣😂😭

[@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

[@Made4YouResin]

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

[@humblehombre9904]

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

[@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!

[@OzkAltBldgCo-bv8tt]

I'd like to see if somebody could create a universal flashlight Barrel mount for any kind of gun. The part that clips onto the barrel could be c-shaped as well as the part that the flashlight slides into. Or I was thinking that other ones could maybe be cone-shaped whatever would create a tight fit. Do you have any thoughts about how I can go about this?

[@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?!

[@yasminmckenzie6885]

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

[@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!

[@lucylastic]

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

[@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

[@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.

[@dollybrown1993]

Did the one with white spirits ever get hard enough to use? Please give an update on it. Thanks.🦋🦋🎶📽

[@MrAtfenn]

i had tried all of these methods, and others, prior to seeing this video. the mineral spirits/acetone can work as a pourable if you degas it in a vacuum chamber. the problem with it is that it will continue to offgas for a long time and ultimately this causes the mold to deform. the dish soap method works fine. be sure if you use this method to mix well and push out any air pockets. the oil works well if you dont add so much and so does the corn starch if, again, you dont add quite so much. it will be messy but works beautifully for a very tough mold. the corn starch method has a tendancy to dry very quickly and become diffucult to use but dries very strong. i occasionaly use the soap method still but most often i use the corn starch with some glycerin for a fast cure time and a more rugged mold. be careful to not over add the corn starch. a pointer is to use an wisk style mixer in a drill to mix it. cheers and good luck everyone

[@kimberlyechols7280]

😂😂😂 You always make me laugh! I love your videos. Your reaction to #3 sticking to your gloves was so funny that I started laughing which caused me to start a coughing fit because I'm sick in bed. But it was worth it. Thank you! ❤❤❤

[@jimparsons6803]

Interesting and thanks. Might try one or more of these.

[@windypup8845]

I used baby powder, acrylic paint, baby oil and the silicone and my molds have lasted years. Use a tin lid to flatten the top of the molds before pressing your pieces in, this will make your moldings neater and flatter.

[@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. ❤

[@suziefrog1967]

I have a question sometimes I make the corn search and silicone and it comes out smooth and sometimes it comes out crumbly what am I doing wrong and how to fix it

[@SimplyKharil]

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

[@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!

[@gailpengelly8581]

BRILLIANT....ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT! 4mins 58 secs though!!🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂 cheers for your wonderful video. Xx

[@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.

[@kim99may]

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

[@carms7859]

I have watched close to 60+ videos on this topic, and have to say this was no1 in my opinion. Well, except for the cornstarch debacle. So funny! I never laugh, but I spat tea across my keyboard. Thank you!! You laughing made me laugh too.🤣😂 I thought the baby oil one wasn't going to work and was an oily mess. Some videos show it with "good" results but the stop-and-start and editing makes me think it probably wasn't "good". Your video was just how I expected it to go. Your comments were also helpful, thanks to those who mentioned why adding paint was important. I actually saw one that was oil, cornstarch, and paint which was more than 50% of the mould ingredients and I can't see how that worked. Thank you again. I let all the ads run as I hope you get extra for that. 😁 So, I feel I have educated myself enough to give this a try.

[@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.

[@alwayscreatedforyou]

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

[@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

[@purplesage6165]

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

[@angelamcdonagh1026]

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

[@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

[@tnichole013]

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

[@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!💕

[@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!❤❤

[@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

[@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

[@thewheekshow5537]

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

[@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!!!!

[@jennifermassey9051]

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

[@melissanielsen8215]

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

[@kaieteurcanada]

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

[@donnamcdonald9]

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

[@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. :)

[@carolleggett2072]

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

[@denisemangum9274]

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

[@karenjoncour6151]

I love watching your comparisons and experiments Steve.🤣

[@MissLoriAAnne]

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

[@nickblacksoul4318]

Did all of the methods even pressure molds even if you get the spirit method to work in the end it shrink's the best I found is fort cover with a brush some silicone on the opject and then do some starch silicone

[@sandyjoao4489]

It was informative n hilarious. Had a hearty laff thanks to u for the 3rd method n also watched yr video twice to laff.😅

[@LaurenFitzgerald-gs6hv]

Your laugh is contagious!

[@sheenamoore3938]

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

[@busybeenature9092]

Success or no success, experiments were great and funny too. Thanks 🙏

[@deborahmorgan8129]

I’m in love with you... ok, I’m in love with your humor!! Your funny AF!!

[@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😁

[@megaklant67]

I have used building silicone to make moulds for sander fishing jigs, I get about 5 - 7 moulds out of one tube. The jigplastics is about 180 °c when I pour and the moulds hold up for 1000 of pourings. And when I have poured one I just drop the entire mould in a bucket of water.

[@Lourin911]

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

[@WaningGibbous]

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

[@MichaelGallagherSculpting]

Brilliant…. I fell about 😆 laughing and Learning

[@comeandletusreason]

So much fun to watch and learn! ☺️

[@factorydirecttacklecorpora1958]

Use high temp red silicone, brush it over said part your going to cast, then once covered squirt in the rest and pressing it, it will cure fast and solid. No mixing with anything! plus you can pour low melt metals.

[@gillianpritchard2105]

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

[@shaun7057]

On the one with mineral spirits substitute the mineral spirits with naptha and add cornstarch to the concoction and it should work

[@KILITZI]

😂 the reviews he did of how the molds turned out had me gone. It was too cute, and funny. Channeled my inner child there for a sec.😂😂 thank you for doing the work to see wich one worked. I cant get my adhd brain to sit down and do one. Let alone test all of those formulas out.

[@judithgarcia5137]

The one with the corn starch you’re supposed to add a small amount of baby oil and acrylic paint and make a soft putty. Quickly put it into your mould and press your shapes into the mould. Keeping your gloves oiled with baby oil. You can also try the version where are you mix silicone caulking with acetone to make a pourable soft rubber mould.🥰

[@dibright1445]

Does this release well and could you make a 3D mold with this mixture? Thank you for any advice you can help me with ;)

[@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.

[@anthonybaransky137]

Ive heard of mixing silicone and dish soap. It takes a few days to dry but you can peel it off and have that mold

[@blupoppy608]

Priceless ! lol...i did the same thing, but when you make it with cornstarch never use gloves lol :) great video tho

[@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.

[@itsclearasmud7718]

I saw a basic pourable using acetone as the thinning medium. The acetone vapes off quickly.

[@itsclearasmud7718]

@Sir Scofferoff white spirits? Paint thinner or turpentine type liquid...white gasoline, napha?

[@oneofyou6773]

I like the raspberry analysis. I think I am going to use it. lol

[@joannegreenwood3803]

Just a thought, why not just use the silcone on it's own?

[@tgonzalezcrespo]

Silicone with mineral spirit is used to waterproof heavy cloth for tents, you are suppose to brush it on the cloth and then leave it out so that the mineral spirits can evaporate and then all you have left is the silicone. The mineral spirits makes it easier to apply the silicone on the cloth.

[@cf2796]

I love that u laughed about the cornstarch fail~~

[@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

[@lenabarlow]

Can they be used for food? I mean freezing, not in the oven. Like chocolate figures? Which type would work ok?

[@moonolyth]

I believe you can add acrylic paint, (just a bit) to the silicone to cure if more than 1/4 in thick.

[@simonesheeka6791]

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

[@maribelcuevas166]

Too funny. Lol. Your suppose to mix the cornstarch in the cup until is more moldable. Thanks for the laugh. You made my day

[@reymed1670]

Works ok we need liquid type silicone ¿??????

[@lukeyboyandthecatlings]

Can i use this to make prosthetic masks???

[@joshuawilson3388]

I've used the mineral spirits method. It worked, kinda. The interesting part is the mold shrinks over time. I made it almost a year and a half ago. More than 50% shrinkage in that time

[@muklin]

How did you make it dry? I've also tried this and also had issues with it drying/curing slowly, or not at all. Seems like maybe it needs corn starch or water too? I don't mind the shrinkage, would be good to make mini models at double scale and let the mold shrink and cast in smaller form.

[@joshuawilson3388]

@@muklin i just waited about a week until it wasn't sticky anymore. If i try it again, I'm going to use a basking light to see if that cures it faster

[@TriChi]

can you ad color to the silicone while you mold it?

[@brucevanbeek3133]

I made a 2 part mold . Bottom and a top . Using soap and water. It was something. Made cardboard box base. 5x15, my subject I coated with soapy water so it would release and it did. Then the top I did couple days later. Soapy water as a releaser. Layed the top on. Couple hours later it was set. I had to work my fingers in to get it to separate. It did . Came a part where I wanted too.

[@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 🤣😂😀😊🙄🤣😃🤗

[@debramccune9801]

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

[@aounjung2417]

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

[@hayleydoherty9557]

brilliant method 3 had me laughing, thank you x

[@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.

[@melaniehellum1281]

I made a successful mould with the silicone and corn starch . I was Cargill on how much I added though. And mixed it lots.

[@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.

[@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!!! 🤣❤️🤣

[@coolcalmandcollected7907]

Hiya! I just saw a guy that used two bottles of silicone and round about 8 oz of Aceton. That mold came out great! Its more for bigger items though.. he used a glass and poured a candle afterwards

[@chelisa77]

I do a corn starch and baby oil mix (both in one not separately) whenever i need to make a quick mold of something. Its a bit better then the two separately that you ttried here but not really worth it in the long run unless you are in a rush to finish a project.

[@sd4055]

I have seen the pourable done with acetone and silicone. I will try it today. Maybe I'll update - depending on how long it takes to cure.

[@rcombs253]

I wouldn't use acetone that's going to keep it from curing up properly... If you dilute it then use isopropanol it is more or less basic rubbing alcohol. Just make sure it's isopropanol and not denatured alcohol. It will work and let it cure properly because silicone has isopropanol in its formula, so it will evaporate out as part of the Cure without compromising the Integrity of the silicone... You can also use vinegar but I would suggest isopropanol. The vinegar acts like a curing agent and it might Kik it off a little too fast for you to get it poured out. Hopefully those things help

[@sd4055]

@@rcombs253 Thank you for the information!

[@annekabrimhall1059]

Have you ever tried coating a piece in traditional two-part silicone to capture detail but then used a cheap silicone to bulk out the mold?

[@laineykearns4506]

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