Lab work — Stan Winston School of Character Arts Forums https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/ Fri, 10 Jul 2026 17:05:17 +0000 en Lab work — Stan Winston School of Character Arts Forums How to clean mold release off Super Baldiez https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/discussion/12400/how-to-clean-mold-release-off-super-baldiez Mon, 20 Apr 2026 19:02:30 +0000 Lab work Leslie Rosado 12400@/discussions Moldmaking help- releasing plaster mold! https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/discussion/12420/moldmaking-help-releasing-plaster-mold Thu, 28 May 2026 17:09:42 +0000 Lab work Kate Myers 12420@/discussions Hi everyone! I'm in the process of molding my first ever latex mask sculpt, and I'm running into an issue with getting the front part of the mold off. Here is the sculpt:
It's done in WED clay and I cut off the ears and horns to mold separately. I did two layers of clear coat and two layers of mold release on everything and vasalined the edges of the plaster. I did realize while unmolding the ears and horns that I need to do a layer between my splash coat and my burlap layer, as some bubbles got trapped between the two making for some brittle parts of the mold, but everything still opened relatively ok except for this front piece. Here are pictures of where I am right now with the head mold
Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated! I'm very proud of this sculpt and am looking forward to seaming and painting, and I would love to not have to redo everything if the mold or sculpture gets damaged.
Thank you in advance!
]]> Puddles in foam latex? https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/discussion/12410/puddles-in-foam-latex Sat, 09 May 2026 19:00:35 +0000 Lab work Daniel Schmitt 12410@/discussions Hi! I'm having a problem with Monster Maker's foam latex. After baking, it looks to me as if a huge flat air bubble or water puddle was trapped inside. But that can't be the case, since I always apply the foam latex with a brush into the recesses and undercuts first before pouring in the rest. The spot isn’t really a recess either. Also, during the second foam run, I noticed that the plaster mold was damp in that spot. Maybe the attached photo explains it better. Also this has happened three times now. 
Does anyone have any idea what happened there and how I can prevent it?


]]> Best foam latex mix advice. https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/discussion/12321/best-foam-latex-mix-advice Tue, 11 Nov 2025 04:55:57 +0000 Lab work Spookyclemente 12321@/discussions It’s relatively hot where I do my work. I’m in New York but the basement I work in is around 72°
My current mix is speed one for 30 seconds
Speed five for three minutes
Speed two for five minutes
Adding agent speed two for 30 seconds
Back bowl throughout the process
Speed 1 for minute to refine
Sometimes this makes ratio firms up within 20 minutes and sometimes it takes a half hour to 45 minutes. 
What should I adjust to help my phone with text pours be more successful. 
The only problem that I run into is one specific area(the nose)
Sometimes doesn’t feel all the way I normally brush the foam into there and I make sure to get a good layer inside the nose and I also make sure to get foam inside the nose as well. 
Normally, I wait until I’m able to touch the foam latex around the mold and it doesn’t stick to my finger But I know it’s supposed to normally harden up before putting it in the oven within 20 to 30 minutes.

]]> Casting Slip Latex Mask in Silicone Mold https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/discussion/12201/casting-slip-latex-mask-in-silicone-mold Sun, 07 Sep 2025 22:18:59 +0000 Lab work Adam 12201@/discussions
I recently made a mold for a latex mask out of tin cure Silicone with a plaster jacket, since it was too large and a stone mold would be too heavy. I was going to paint up the latex layer by layer but I had a few questions

1) What would be a good release? I had Johnson's Wax recommended to me and I gather they don't make it anymore. I do have some Ease Release 2831, which is Wax Based. I'm just not sure what (if anything) might inhibit the latex or create problems

2) When painting layer by layer is there a problem with shrinking happening in between the layers? I was going ot use a hair dryer between layers - how long roughly should I be waiting between?

Or any other general advice or this method of making latex masks layer by layer would be much appreciated

Thanks]]> Charcoal Smoker for baking Foam Latex https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/discussion/12196/charcoal-smoker-for-baking-foam-latex Mon, 18 Aug 2025 20:37:22 +0000 Lab work JohhnyBraineater 12196@/discussions
I'd like to learn foam latex, and was thinking of maybe hitting Home Depot for a vertical charcoal smoker once it's winter and they are on clearance. Would something like this work, with a hot plate at the bottom?

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Costway-Vertical-Charcoal-Smoker-BBQ-Barbecue-Grill-with-Temperature-Gauge-Outdoor-Black-GHMHSKU00485/321979702?source=shoppingads&locale=en-US&srsltid=AfmBOootNY5T4dLbrpf-9_Fv4nNXRDG3EEBIXB_p--w9G3dQb4ycLI1lBEA

My only concern after doing research is that this doesn't have a fan to promote even circulation. Will that be hugely detrimental? Or is it workable for a beginner who just wants to learn and make small props and prosthetics? I'm just doing stuff for my own low budget movies, so I don't need perfection, just function.

As a final note, I live in the midwest. Could I use this outside in the winter? If I had to, would it be ok to use indoors with open windows/fans/etc?

Thanks so much!

]]> Foam latex collapsing before baking https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/discussion/12187/foam-latex-collapsing-before-baking Fri, 25 Jul 2025 16:44:25 +0000 Lab work Georgia Foam 12187@/discussions
I have many other molds in my shop that I run on a regular basis with a little to no problems which is why this particular mold has been quite the challenge and thorn in my side. I would love to hear any suggestions anybody may have on being able to successfully run this as a closed mold injection.
]]> Translucent resin https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/discussion/12171/translucent-resin Sat, 21 Jun 2025 18:07:21 +0000 Lab work Jeffrey Mahon 12171@/discussions

Also, how would I go about getting that color separation? 
Thank you 👍🏻
]]> Molding for Silicone sculpture question. https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/discussion/12167/molding-for-silicone-sculpture-question Wed, 11 Jun 2025 07:41:30 +0000 Lab work Jeffrey Mahon 12167@/discussions
I'm sculpting a Wolfman of my own design and just about finished. Inspired by Mike Hill, I want to make a fullsize display. 

I've watched many of the courses here regarding molding for silicone but still have a few questions about the preparing the sculpture for eyes and teeth for the final foam-filled silicone piece. 

I don’t have eye blanks so I free sculpted the eyes. I hope to be able to cut the silicone and insert third party eyes. Is that what is normally done?

For the mouth, I intend to do the same thing, cut out the silicone in the mouth and insert the fang set I'll make out of Dental acrylic. 

My Ed Head makes it impossible to insert eyes and teeth to sculpt around. 

Here are a few pics for reference:



]]> Acetate Paper https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/discussion/12170/acetate-paper Wed, 18 Jun 2025 12:18:03 +0000 Lab work TJ_OBrien83 12170@/discussions ]]> Adding paint to foam latex https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/discussion/11878/adding-paint-to-foam-latex Thu, 03 Apr 2025 22:41:44 +0000 Lab work Daniel Schmitt 11878@/discussions Silicone Mask Making Part 1: Epoxy Course Questions https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/discussion/11863/silicone-mask-making-part-1-epoxy-course-questions Sun, 02 Mar 2025 20:55:47 +0000 Lab work Isaac Castillo 11863@/discussions
  1. - EpoxACoat - this is used for a detail layer?
  2. - Nails in mouth - why do this? I know it's from experience but what happens if this is not done?
  3. - Urefil - to build a dam, I think i understand this. I am just not sure what the fill inside is for.
  4. - EpoxACast 650 - what is this for?
  5. - EpoxAmite 300 - what is different than the others
  6. - Freeform Air?
  7. - Habitat black epoxy putty?
How did you come about this process?]]> Fiberglass bandage mold + gel coat? https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/discussion/11831/fiberglass-bandage-mold-gel-coat Sat, 14 Dec 2024 18:25:05 +0000 Lab work sheltatha_lore 11831@/discussions
Do you think that fiberglass bandages would stick to a resin gel coat (or heck, a plaster print print coat)?  In that case, I just have to pour on a gel coat and then go to town with bandages - a lot less mess all around. (And it'll reduce the amount of time I have to work in the cold, because that stuff is stinky.)
]]> Foam latex taking soooo long to gel. https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/discussion/11808/foam-latex-taking-soooo-long-to-gel Tue, 12 Nov 2024 03:59:16 +0000 Lab work Jez Roberts 11808@/discussions I am recently learning foam latex and attempting a grinch face. 
I have a well built ultra cal 30 mold that I made, and an ultra cal 30 core with a pvc pipe insert for pulling the mold. 
I have a small batch mixer, in which I run my piece with 
150 base 
30 foaming 
15 cure 
17 gel ( it’s cold here in Utah right now) 

I run my times at 
1 min mixing 
6 min whipping 
5 min medium refine 
and 5-8 min ultra refine 
1 min 30 sec for final mix once gel is in. 
I have added more and more gel agent / time to my DEAMONIA step yet it still takes over an hour for it to gel enough to bake. I am feeling lost,
yours truly, 
Aspen Raine of R of R fx 
]]> Homemade Pros-aide transfer paste fails , need help https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/discussion/11818/homemade-pros-aide-transfer-paste-fails-need-help Wed, 27 Nov 2024 10:49:11 +0000 Lab work Igor Kazakov 11818@/discussions ]]> MOLD MAKING PROBLEM SOLVING https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/discussion/11649/mold-making-problem-solving Tue, 03 Sep 2024 22:14:21 +0000 Lab work Tom Luca 11649@/discussions
]]> Questions About Latex (Sealing Clay and Adhesion) https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/discussion/11493/questions-about-latex-sealing-clay-and-adhesion Sun, 18 Aug 2024 23:53:49 +0000 Lab work Alexander H 11493@/discussions
I've watched a few courses here on molding/casting latex so I've got some idea of what I'm doing - I'll learn more as I make mistakes - but I'm wanting some extra help before I get started.

Firstly, from what I remember, people seal their clays before making the plaster molds, to protect the surface of the clay and make it easier to demold later. I've got a tub of Monster Clay I was hoping to use to sculpt the creature, but I don't want to have to throw that clay out if I have to add contaminants to it. Is there a way to create the mold without sealing it? The mold wall for the flange is also a concern. If it is best to seal it, what's a decent sculpting clay that isn't too painful on the budget, that I could toss out afterwards?

If for some reason I need to glue latex to itself, does it adhere to itself (with some fresh latex as a glue) or will I need an adhesive like Pros-Aide? And if I needed to glue the latex to plastic (such as PETG or PLA), is Pros-Aide good for that too?]]> Vacuum pump model recommendation https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/discussion/11401/vacuum-pump-model-recommendation Tue, 16 Jul 2024 19:07:52 +0000 Lab work Rottweiler 11401@/discussions Bity Mold Supply has closed https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/discussion/11389/bity-mold-supply-has-closed Wed, 26 Jun 2024 20:07:23 +0000 Lab work Jeffrey Mahon 11389@/discussions
Mitch announced it a few weeks ago. I don't know about the rest of you but they were my go-to. 

Evidently it was because of Polytek, whom Mitch calls "The Retillians". 😔

]]> George Barrows style Gorilla teeth https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/discussion/11386/george-barrows-style-gorilla-teeth Mon, 24 Jun 2024 17:10:33 +0000 Lab work Jeffrey Mahon 11386@/discussions
Hollywood Gorillas are different in that everything is exaggerated. They were cinemas first monsters so they tend to be unrealistic even though the gorilla suit pioneers thought they were realistic. 

George Barrows was my 2nd favorite Hollywood Gorilla man (behind Crash Corrigan). Trying to replicate George's suit has been a blast. 

Here is my attempt at his style of teeth. They are made from Dental acrylic. I tried using dental stain but didn’t like it. I ended up using basic art acrylic paints. George's gums were a deep red so they showed up on camera and were a bit menacing. I sealed them in Gorilla glue. A local mask maker turned me on to using Gorilla Glue as a high gloss. Works FANTASTIC! 

I also ended up using Colortone guitar stain mixed with a little monomer to darken the teeth and to make cavities. Sorry that the pictures are out of sequence. 

First time doing any of this but would not have got this far without SW school!!! Thanks Matt and team!



 


]]> Mask Process Failures and takeaways! https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/discussion/11372/mask-process-failures-and-takeaways Fri, 17 May 2024 16:24:22 +0000 Lab work Almudena Soria sancho 11372@/discussions
- I modified the cast of my face to remove undercuts from nose, lips etc... I created 3 cores. 2 from that stone material another one with  polyurethane resin.


- Started Sculpting. I learnt so much with the videos from this Course but also other resources online. The most difficult part for me was adding detail that made sense, pores, skin detail, small wrinkles, I re-did the detail so many times and still wasn't 100 percent happy with it but I moved on.

- I created my own Gelatin and stored it in cubes so I could melt it later to cast. I added flocking and some pros-aid to strengthen the mix.

- So yesterday I was ready to mold the mask... I used my own mix of plaster of Paris with Vinyl cement and burlap. I started with the detail layer. The cement has some grainy aspect to it so not sure that was going to work. But I continued... I made the mold and let it cure for a bit. I worked on Layers. 

- When I was ready to open the mold.... something really bad happened!!! My core detail layer peeled off with the Clay!!!! I was like... what just happened...Instead of giving up I wanted to see what was under the layer of peeled off plaster and the clay. So I started peeling off plaster and clay... I wasn't hopeful but as I was peeling some detail was revealed! I started thinkin.,. oh may be I could save something.  When I finished peeling off the clay I ended up patching up some holes and air pockets with epoxy. I wanted to continue the process even though it wouldn't be very good but would give me information about the rest of the process. So I continued.

- Over night I let the mold dry and cure a little bit more. For the casting of the mask I used another core from the same face I sculpted  (doesn't match the mold perfectly but it fits somehow) I melted some of the Gelatin I made and I poured it... I put the core but the Gelatin didn't spill out. It didn't end up capturing all the detail? I should have added more? I will try later on with more.

- I let it cure for an hour or so. When I opened I was surprised with the result... wasn't super terrible and I think It will give me something to paint on and may be do an application to learn that part too! With a good wig and some dark lighting who knows.

I am exciting about learning so I wanted to share my journey of failures. Next time will be better.

For my next mask I am thinking using my urethane core and follow the same process with real Ultracal. 

Now I need to re-watch some mask painting videos and application! 
 




]]> Making a mold of a polymer clay sculpture https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/discussion/10206/making-a-mold-of-a-polymer-clay-sculpture Thu, 26 Jan 2023 13:03:02 +0000 Lab work conlevhof 10206@/discussions I was going to make a concrete mold of it and then paint on the foam latex skin, however I was told that wouldn't work. I want the mold to reflect the detail in the alligator, and I need the skin to do the same. I'm unsure however, of where to start. I've tried researching for multiple hours and can't find many good posts on instructions on how to continue. I was considering making a silicone mold but I was told that foam latex won't adhere as good to it as it would to concrete. Any suggestions on how to make a flexible skin for such a large piece? Any suggestions help.
]]> Mask Mold with undercuts advice. https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/discussion/11338/mask-mold-with-undercuts-advice Sun, 24 Mar 2024 16:49:58 +0000 Lab work Almudena Soria sancho 11338@/discussions
I've attached pics of the sculpt and the core.
k
]]> Can't remember name of product https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/discussion/11343/cant-remember-name-of-product Mon, 01 Apr 2024 22:43:37 +0000 Lab work Troy Mccombs 11343@/discussions ]]> Painting urethane soft foam? https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/discussion/11337/painting-urethane-soft-foam Sun, 24 Mar 2024 09:22:10 +0000 Lab work Paolo Giovani 11337@/discussions  I have recently tried flex foam-it 3, and it's a very interesting material, for stuff that doesn't need to stretch it can be really useful, and I'm already thinking about uses for other foams with their different consistencies, from props to costume parts, but...
Isn't there a way to paint it easily? I mean, I know there are urethane rubbers that you can use as paint medium for it, but they have the drawbacks of being two parts, so you have your timer going, hard to clean and I wouldn't risk running them through an airbrush.
I tried to see if silicone caulk sticks, as I've seen the lesson where it's used as plat silicone paint, and in general sticks to most surfaces, but of course it doesn't stick, as silicone doesn't stick to urethane.
I've read people saying flexible acrylic paint works, but I've tried liquitex heavy body and it will just rub off the shiny outer skin very easily.
I've also read that if you powder the mold beforehand with starch it will yield a better surface for painting, is that true?
Do you guys have any advice on this topic? It seems that it isn't a material used widely enough to make it easy to find info on it...]]> Epoxical Alternative https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/discussion/11332/epoxical-alternative Wed, 13 Mar 2024 17:27:47 +0000 Lab work Izzy DSP 11332@/discussions Molding resin master for Latex casting? https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/discussion/10894/molding-resin-master-for-latex-casting Wed, 08 Nov 2023 06:21:10 +0000 Lab work Jeffrey Mahon 10894@/discussions
I am in the process of building another Hollywood Gorilla Suit in the style of George Barrows' Konga. 



I thought I'd go a little more realistic with the hands and got resin castings of a Male Gorilla. 

What would be the best process to go from resin masters to Ultracal molds for latex castings?

Thank you!
Jeff



]]> Casting sand instead of clay? https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/discussion/10918/casting-sand-instead-of-clay Sun, 17 Dec 2023 03:33:30 +0000 Lab work Jeffrey Mahon 10918@/discussions
Was wondering if anyone has ever used casting sand instead of clay for lay-up base in mold making? 
]]> Dulling Spray https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/discussion/10892/dulling-spray Sat, 04 Nov 2023 22:29:33 +0000 Lab work Tim Peirson 10892@/discussions
Thanks
Tim]]> Shop Space https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/discussion/10594/shop-space Thu, 24 Aug 2023 11:09:36 +0000 Lab work John Terebetsky 10594@/discussions
john]]>