With the molds from Redesign with Prima you can make the nicest decorations, which you can then stick on a piece of furniture or use for another project. You can fill the molds with casting resin or clay. Below we provide some tips for both methods.
1. Fill molds with casting resin
If you want to fill a mold with casting resin, you can follow these steps:
- Prepare: Make sure you have all the necessary materials and tools on hand before you start. This includes the casting mold, casting resin, clay, a mixing cup, a stirring stick, a spatula and any other decorative elements you want to add.
- Choose the right casting resin: There are several types of casting resin available, so make sure you choose a resin that is suitable for your specific project. There is a large amount of casting resin on the market that takes up to 24 hours to harden. The resin we offer is already hardened in 7 minutes and ready for use.
- Prepare the casting mold: Clean the casting mold thoroughly and make sure it is dry before you start pouring. This helps to ensure that the end result is clean and free of imperfections.
- Mix the casting resin: Follow the casting resin manufacturer's instructions to mix the resin correctly. Accurately measure the resin and hardener in the correct ratio and mix them together thoroughly in a mixing cup. Stir slowly and gently to avoid air bubbles.
- Pour the resin into the casting mold: Pour the mixed casting resin slowly and evenly into the casting mold. Fill the mold just below the edge to prevent flooding. Gently tap the sides of the mold to release any air bubbles and puncture them with a needle or toothpick.
- Allow the resin to cure: Follow the recommended curing time of the casting resin before removing the mold. This may vary depending on the resin you use. Make sure the resin has completely hardened before moving on to the next steps.
- Remove the casting resin from the mold: Once the resin has completely hardened, you can carefully remove the casting mold. Start at the edges and slowly work towards the center to release the casting resin. Be patient and careful to ensure that the decorative element remains intact.
- Heat the hardened ornament (optional): Using a hairdryer to heat the newly cast ornament will make it a little pliable. This can be useful if you want to attach it to a surface that is not completely straight.
- Apply the casting resin to the furniture: To apply the casting resin to the furniture, you can use a suitable glue. Apply a thin layer of glue to the furniture surface and place the cast resin decoration on it. Press gently to ensure proper adhesion.
- As for the choice of glue, you have several options:
- Epoxy glue: Epoxy glue is generally a good choice because it provides a strong bond to a variety of surfaces, including chalk paint. Make sure you choose an epoxy adhesive that is suitable for bonding plastic and wood, depending on the material of the mold and the furniture piece.
- Assembly adhesive: Assembly adhesive, such as a polyurethane-based construction adhesive, can also be a good option. This type of glue often provides a strong bond to various materials, including chalk paint. Make sure you choose a mounting adhesive that is suitable for interior applications and is suitable for bonding plastic and wood.
- All-purpose glue: Another option is to use an all-purpose glue that is suitable for bonding various materials, including chalk paint. Read the adhesive's instructions carefully to ensure it is suitable for the specific use on chalk paint.
- Wood glue: If you want to attach the cast resin decoration to a piece of wooden furniture that has not yet been painted, you may consider using a good wood glue. Choose a wood glue that is suitable for interior applications and provides a strong bond.
- Finishing and protection: Once the cast resin decoration has been attached, you can finish the furniture with chalk paint and protect it with a suitable finishing layer, such as Annie Sloan Clear Wax or Lacquer. This helps to protect the casting resin from scratches and wear and gives the piece of furniture a beautiful finish.
2. Fill molds with clay
Choose the right clay: There are different types of clay available, such as air-drying clay, polymer clay or self-hardening clay. The clay we offer is air-drying clay and is therefore suitable for filling molds. To do this, follow these steps:
- Prepare the clay: Work with clean hands and make sure the surface you will be working the clay on is clean and dry. Knead the clay well before you start working with it to make it smooth and easy to shape.
- Make the mold stick-free: Sprinkle a thin layer of cornstarch over the surface of the mold. This prevents the clay from sticking and being damaged when removed. Make sure the cornstarch is evenly distributed and covers all parts of the mold. Remove any excess cornstarch by gently tapping the mold or turning it over and shaking it lightly. The goal is to maintain a thin, even layer of cornstarch without creating lumps.
- Press the clay into the mold: Place a piece of clay into the mold and press it gently to ensure it captures all the details of the mold. Use your fingers or a spatula to spread the clay evenly in the mold. Make sure the clay is pressed down firmly, but avoid letting too much excess clay stick out.
- Remove excess clay: After filling the mold, you can carefully remove excess clay using a spatula or a knife. Gently scrape the top of the mold to create a flat surface. This helps to achieve a neat and sleek finish.
- Do not let the clay harden: Contrary to what many sources claim, it is better not to let the clay harden in the mold. So immediately remove the clay from the mold. Be careful not to damage the print. This can be done by gently bending the mold or gently prying the clay loose using tools such as tweezers or a wooden stick.
- Apply a suitable adhesive to the surface of the furniture where you want to place the mold. This could be, for example, a strong wood glue or a special glue for decorative applications. Make sure you apply the glue evenly and thinly to avoid excess glue.
- Place the clay on the furniture piece in the desired location and press it gently to ensure it adheres well to the surface.
- Allow the clay to harden completely. This can take several hours depending on the type of clay you use.
- Give the piece of furniture and the hardened ornament a lick of paint and protect everything with Annie Sloan Clear Wax or Lacquer.