DIY Silicone Caulking Rubber Mold Demo

How to make a fast, cheap rubber mold using Silicone 1 Caulking. Make a rubber mold of almost anything! Use this rubber mold to cast plaster, resin or wax for lost wax casting. In this demo we are preparing a rubber mold of coral that will eventually be cast in glass.

MATERIALS:
1. Silicone 1 Caulking (do NOT use Silicone 2).
2. Caulking Gun.
3. Water, room-temperature (not warm or cold).
4. Dish Soap.
5. Pie-tin or other container to catch the water.
6. Pattern to make mold of.
7. Shop Towel/Rag.

NOTES:
1. USE VENTILATION!!! — Silicone puts off noxious fumes as it cures. This mold will need to cure overnight. Make sure it cures in a well-ventilated area that is roughly room temperature. If cured outdoors when colder than 70ºF, it will take MUCH longer to cure.
2. If ANY silicone sticks to your hands during the process you HAVE to clean it off immediately. If not the silicone will continue to stick to your hands, ending in a giant mess. Trust me!
3. Do NOT use a silicone gloves or a silicone mat during this process. Silicone sticks to silicone, so this material will stick to those items.

Post questions/comments below!

Demonstration by Professor Davin Ebanks, Kent State University.