Ready to try PR - first casting attempt

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juteck

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Joined
Dec 10, 2008
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861
Location
Charlotte, NC
I've read the threads, read the tutorials, watched the Youtube videos, got the Michaels 60% coupon, and picked up a small can of the Cast'N'Craft PR and small bottle of MEK. I have some Testor's model paint at home, and my wife has some pearlex with her scrapbook supplies. Tupperware for a mold, plastic mixing cups, some craft sticks to mix, DNA and paper towels to clean up, well ventilated area, and a makeshift vibrating table to get rid of bubbles, and a heat lamp to warm it up if needed.

Does it sound like I'm missing anything? I want to see if I like it before I get into mail order supplies -- would rather buy locally to start with if I can.
 
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You're missing the P. :biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:You need MEKP not MEK.:wink: Methyl Ethyl Keytone will not work. You need Methyl Ethyl Keytone Peroxide. I really think you meant MEKP and made a typo. If not, then back to Michael's you must go.

Sounds like you've done your homework. Let us know how your cating goes. Happy casting.
So a good turn daily!
Don

... and small bottle of MEK.

Does it sound like I'm missing anything?
 
Thanks Don -- I bought the bottle of hardener that Michael's places next to the resin -- I didn't read it closely before I posted, but I'll make sure before I mix.

I also have a bunch of acrylic craft paint (water based). I know the dyes and pigments are an experimental thing until you see what works best for you, but for a first try, would the Testor's or the Acrylic be a better choice to start my experimenting with?



You're missing the P. :biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:You need MEKP not MEK.:wink: Methyl Ethyl Keytone will not work. You need Methyl Ethyl Keytone Peroxide. I really think you meant MEKP and made a typo. If not, then back to Michael's you must go.

Sounds like you've done your homework. Let us know how your cating goes. Happy casting.
So a good turn daily!
Don
 
I don't do much with colors. I'm a clear casting PR junkie. But, I have had good luck with both acrylic and testors...also India Ink and Mixol. Of those three, Mixol worked best for me. But, I still think it best to use the dyes and pigments sold by PR suppliers. US Composites has a good deal on starter sets of pigments in both transparent and opaque varieties. .
Do a good turn daily!
Don

Thanks Don -- I bought the bottle of hardener that Michael's places next to the resin -- I didn't read it closely before I posted, but I'll make sure before I mix.

I also have a bunch of acrylic craft paint (water based). I know the dyes and pigments are an experimental thing until you see what works best for you, but for a first try, would the Testor's or the Acrylic be a better choice to start my experimenting with?
 
If you don't mind me asking, what did this start up cost? I am wanting to do the same thing, just not sure what kind of money it is going to cost to "sample" the waters so to speak.
 
start up cost

PR from michaels comes in two sizes. the small can is about $15 while the larger one is about $25.00. the hardner they sell is about 5 to 6 dollars. I personally don't have any plastic molds. I make mine out of aircraft quality plywood that i have laying around. Then i just put a piece of saran wrap in the mold. The saran wrap keeps the pr from sticking to the wood. Learned this one the hard way.

www.ejspens.com
 
I don't think you want to use water based paints. You want the oil based paints. Water in PR will cause it to not cure properly.

Based on what you said, I would use the testors paint.
 
PR from michaels comes in two sizes. the small can is about $15 while the larger one is about $25.00. the hardner they sell is about 5 to 6 dollars. I personally don't have any plastic molds. I make mine out of aircraft quality plywood that i have laying around. Then i just put a piece of saran wrap in the mold. The saran wrap keeps the pr from sticking to the wood. Learned this one the hard way.

www.ejspens.com

Hobby Lobby sells the same stuff but the price includes the hardner and a small plastic mold.
 
When I did my first home cast I used Testor's Enamel paint instead of their acrylic. I'd use the metallic colors over any of the others for a really nice sheen. Just remember to wait for the PR to start to gel before you mix it in your mold. Keep a close eye on it after adding your hardener bc it can set up on you before you realize. I also switched to used mica powders I order from this site: http://www.coastalscents.com/cfwebstore/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=35 Here's an example of the enamel paint I used and how it may turn out for you:
 

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