We had someone ask some great questions about ImPRESSive Putty. I wanted to share the answers with you.
First, what isthe ImPRESSive Putty Activator?
The Activatoris a glycerin based mixture. The greasiness is the activator/mold release. Thisis what gives the ImPRESSive Putty the power to be re-melted over and overagain. It also acts as a mold release when casting. So even though it feelsgreasy, that's a good thing.
If when you re-meltthe Putty, there’s clumpiness or parts that don’t seem to re-melt afterkneading the putty for a minute or two, then you probably need a little moreactivator. It takes very little. We have activator available, although a littlebit of vegetable oil will also work. So put a few drops on your hands and thenkneed the putty until it is mixed in.
What happens ifthe ImPRESSive Putty is sticking? My guess is that the ImPRESSive Putty won’tstick after it cools. While hot it is scary because it will stick but when itcools it usually comes off. This stickiness when warm is a good thing becauseit lets you get a better mold shape. Some materials to be careful of are paperproducts. The paper, if it’s not sealed will absorb the activator and stick tothe putty. So seal the paper with shellac or glue or other.
So what can youcast with ImPRESSive Putty?
Ha! That’s along list! Great question. Here’s a lot of the options for molding materials inImPRESSive Putty. This list is not complete so if you’re thinking of something elseto cast in the ImPRESSive Putty try it J, and let me know.
- Wax: verypopular with Encaustic Painters, candle makers. I like soy wax candles.
- Soaps: low meltsoaps work well. High melt soaps will also work, but let it cool below 200 Fbefore pouring into the molds.
- Polymer clay(just press in)
- Epoxy Resins:some clear resins create a whitish surface-wipe/clean off surface activatorwith denatured alcohol first or add colorants to the resin)
- Epoxyclay/Epoxy putty
- Urethane/Polyurethane:fast cure urethanes work well for sizes up to about 4 cubic inches. Someurethanes react easily with moisture so be careful
- Silicones (tinor platinum cure)
- Polyesterresins like Bondo
- Low melt metal(melts below 200 F-no pewter, lead etc.—Woods metal is a good choice)
- Thermoformableplastic (like Instamorph, Shapelok, etc.)
- We’ve also madebath bombs, quick cure concrete castings, ComposiMold plaster of Paris (has anadditive in it to cure stronger/faster)
Food safePutty: Chocolate, small isomalts, small sugar candies, fondant, butter.
The type ofthings that cannot be cast in ImPRESSive Putty are things that are mostly wateror create a lot of heat. For example, slow cure concrete is a challenge becauseit will pull the moisture out of the ImPRESSive Putty. Fast cureconcretes/cements will cure before pulling moisture away so those will work. Plusmaterials that are well above 200 F can melt the Putty. You can chill the moldbefore and during casting to get up a little higher for some materials (likevery high temperature waxes).
Let me know what questions you have. I'm sure if you have the question, then others do to. So please ask!
Thank you!
Stan
