How to get epoxy out of a mould?
Lucas asked:
I need to cast some epoxy using a metal mould. I have some serious difficulties removing the epoxy once it has cured. I have tried coating the metal with silicone oil, hair spray and Teflon (PTFE) spray. Nothing has helped. What should I use to coat the metal surface in order to easily remove the cast epoxy part?
Metal Casting DIY
I need to cast some epoxy using a metal mould. I have some serious difficulties removing the epoxy once it has cured. I have tried coating the metal with silicone oil, hair spray and Teflon (PTFE) spray. Nothing has helped. What should I use to coat the metal surface in order to easily remove the cast epoxy part?
Metal Casting DIY
Posted in Chemistry
One Response to “How to get epoxy out of a mould?”
Here are two references to mold releases offered for epoxy
However, before you buy anything, take a look at the mold you are using. If there are any undercuts, there’s a big problem right there. Also your mold should have some draft on it, i.e., it should be a little bit wider at the open side than at the bottom.
Don’t use hair spray. It’s a dilute lacquer and will make things stick rather than release. If your mold is as I described above, any release agent that does not dissolve in the as-mixed epoxy should work.
Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is recommended as an epoxy mold release A company called Polymer-Products-The-Epoxy-Experts has a how-to slide show on e-Bay.