Resin Casters

Here is the scoop. I've begun casting and distributing my own resin parts. So far its a 1/25th scale mustang body and resin bumpers. I'm currently using alumilite white resin. I've had fair success with it. Its about $115 for the gallon kit. plus shipping. I was wondering what resin's everyone else is using. Is there a more cost effective resin that will give the same results as far as quality and cure time? Something that might be easier to work with as far as air bubbles are concerned?

Also, I'm working on some Mustang LX tail lights that I'd like to cast in clear resin. Does anyone have experience with clear resins? Is there one that I can cast with without needing a vacuum chamber to eliminate the air bubbles?

TIA
Russell

Here is the scoop. I've begun casting and distributing my own resin parts. So far its a 1/25th scale mustang body and resin bumpers. I'm currently using alumilite white resin. I've had fair success with it. Its about $115 for the gallon kit. plus shipping. I was wondering what resin's everyone else is using. Is there a more cost effective resin that will give the same results as far as quality and cure time? Something that might be easier to work with as far as air bubbles are concerned?

Also, I'm working on some Mustang LX tail lights that I'd like to cast in clear resin. Does anyone have experience with clear resins? Is there one that I can cast with without needing a vacuum chamber to eliminate the air bubbles?

TIA
Russell

wow youve been ripped i use smooth on and spend roughly 50$ on resin and mold supplies but i live close to the distribution so i save on shipping.

heres the company info www.Smooth-on.com

This is the first I've heard of Smooth on. Anyone else using them? Do you have some pictures of your parts? What is the largest part you've cast. My main concern aside from quality of the casts is them coming out of the mold in 1 piece and not being too fragile to ship, and for my customers to work with

looking at the aluminite site, I'm pretty sure he means the 2 gallon kit (http://www.alumilite.com/ProdDetail.cfm?Category=Casting%20Resins&Name=Alumilite%20White).

I have used them they have a good product. If you have ever used Micro-Mark stuff that is smooth-on. I have also used this product with alot of sucess. This is what Replicas & Miniaturea and HRM use:

www.silicone-inc.com
http://www.silicones-inc.com/p90.pdf use the P-90

www.polytek.com
http://www.polytek.com/products/15Series.pdf (http://http://www.polytek.com/products/15Series.pdf)

use the 1512 not the 1512X
These are priced about the same of what you are paying but a far superior product. This cortina is cated with these products.
http://images38.fotki.com/v1272/photos/1/1262502/6613678/DSCN1044-vi.jpg

http://images41.fotki.com/v1266/photos/1/1262502/6613678/DSCN1043-vi.jpg
This other one is using smooth-on
http://images109.fotki.com/v793/photos/1/1262502/6143255/DSCN1012-vi.jpg
Remember the smoother your master is the better your product will be.
So before casting make sure you polish the primer just like you would a paint job. If there is anything that I can help you with feel fre to e-mail me.
[email protected]
Ariel

ariel,

Thank you. I've made a habit of clearing my masters with urethane clear. This pretty much guarantees a smooth finish. I had some issues with the mustang due to a botched mold. I sent it out to be molded. I will make the next mold myself though. I will look in to both of those products. I dug up an old thread where Vagabond resin was recommended. I can get gallon kits from them for about $88. I've used their resin before, but its been a while.

I'm guessing when they say a casting plastic, they mean a resin? That kind of throws me. Plus its not listed in volume its by weight, (on the poly tek site.)

Also, any recommendations for a clear to reproduce tail light lenses without needing a pressure pot?

They say plastic because it is pretyy close to it I have glued some parts with Testors glue in the black bottles. You can always convert it over I use this website. http://www.convert-me.com/en/
As for clear resin the trick is to have as least amount of moisture in the air you will need a dehumidifier. It has to be no higher than 35-40% humidity.
Remember resin is a sponge for humidity it will suck water right out of the air
and thats when you get the cloudiness in your product. small parts are not as bad. This is the product I've used www.westsystem.com
you want 105 resin and 206 harner this stuff can be casted as thin as .030.
but remember Humidity will be your enemy.
Ariel

I use SMOOTH ON 300 White resin and I use Alumilite Water clear. PM me.

Ive bought the resin from micromark before and had good success with it. Although i like the aluminite resin (yellowish) a lot better for some reason.

Hi i sent you a PM

I have used them they have a good product. If you have ever used Micro-Mark stuff that is smooth-on. I have also used this product with alot of sucess. This is what Replicas & Miniaturea and HRM use:

www.silicone-inc.com
http://www.silicones-inc.com/p90.pdf use the P-90

www.polytek.com
http://www.polytek.com/products/15Series.pdf (http://http://www.polytek.com/products/15Series.pdf)

use the 1512 not the 1512X
These are priced about the same of what you are paying but a far superior product. This cortina is cated with these products.


Ariel

^^^^This

You guys realize this thread is nearly 2 years old, right?

None the less, the information contained within is quite invaluable. I was just wondering where I should buy my next resin batch from...Smooth on is my weapon of choice, since I was SO pleased with the Micro-Mark stuff.

???? This

This thread has been quite helpful; I've beenwanting to cast a few sets of wheels for a few projects and this got me pointed in the right direction. Thanks for the information. :sunglasse
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