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I found this Instructables a little while back on making your own homemade version of Sugru. The author calls his version "Oogo".
Sugru is a pliable, waterproof silicone coating that comes in little packages. When mixed, it can be used to create little items, coat surfaces, and more.
However, I am cheap and did not want to pay the price they are offering, so that's where the Instructables comes in.
The idea is to use the Silicone that comes in tubes (available at hardware stores, walmart, etc) to use for molding. However, regular silicone has some set time issues. Straight out of the tube, the silicone that is not exposed to air/moisture will not set for a long time (ever, if thick enough).
However, by mixing in corn starch (and a little paint if you want to color it), you can control the set time. Mixing at a 1:1 ratio, you have a couple minutes of workable time. After a couple more minutes, it becomes claylike. In 10-15 minutes it takes its final form and can be demolded safely. Using less starch will extend the working time. 5:1 cornstarch gives you about 2 hours, according to the article, but I've not tried that myself.
I've used this to cast ears from my model (my daughter). I did an impression with dental alginate of the ear, then packed the mold with the Oogoo and got some good results. I used popsicle sticks to manipulate the Oogoo when it is pliable (it is very stickly), packing it into the alginate.
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After 10-20 minutes (I'm conservative about set times), I was able to easily demold the impression. The set Oogoo is very pliable and I would have no issues with using a plaster mold in the future without fear of breakage.
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Had a gap in the above image on the edge of the ear. Also on the above picture I had cut the mold for when I tried casting plaster in the alginate. I did another impression of her ear using just the Oogoo and did not need to cut the mold or even need any type of mold release.
This stuff is easily colorable too when mixing it up. The author of the instructable recommended using old-based paints, as water will trigger the set process of the silicone, but I was able to successfully use water-based paint. That being said, when I mixed in the paint, the Oogoo was less pliable initially, I might want to use less corn starch when I color in the future.
You want to use the Silicone I type of silicone. Silicone II is available at stores and apparently it is not the correct time. Not sure of what would happen.
There is a strong smell of Acetic acid that is released by the silicone (vinegar) so you might want to be well ventilated. I did get a headache after doing this in my kitchen and it sting your eyes a bit, but nothing we all haven't had to deal with doing other projects, I'm sure!
I wanted to pass this along to fellow haunters to use and enjoy. I've seen this type of silicone being used to create fake wounds before, and this might make that process easier as well. :jol:
TLDR: Silicone I + Corn starch = quick and cheap silicone casting substitute.
Enjoy!
Sugru is a pliable, waterproof silicone coating that comes in little packages. When mixed, it can be used to create little items, coat surfaces, and more.
However, I am cheap and did not want to pay the price they are offering, so that's where the Instructables comes in.
The idea is to use the Silicone that comes in tubes (available at hardware stores, walmart, etc) to use for molding. However, regular silicone has some set time issues. Straight out of the tube, the silicone that is not exposed to air/moisture will not set for a long time (ever, if thick enough).
However, by mixing in corn starch (and a little paint if you want to color it), you can control the set time. Mixing at a 1:1 ratio, you have a couple minutes of workable time. After a couple more minutes, it becomes claylike. In 10-15 minutes it takes its final form and can be demolded safely. Using less starch will extend the working time. 5:1 cornstarch gives you about 2 hours, according to the article, but I've not tried that myself.
I've used this to cast ears from my model (my daughter). I did an impression with dental alginate of the ear, then packed the mold with the Oogoo and got some good results. I used popsicle sticks to manipulate the Oogoo when it is pliable (it is very stickly), packing it into the alginate.
After 10-20 minutes (I'm conservative about set times), I was able to easily demold the impression. The set Oogoo is very pliable and I would have no issues with using a plaster mold in the future without fear of breakage.
Had a gap in the above image on the edge of the ear. Also on the above picture I had cut the mold for when I tried casting plaster in the alginate. I did another impression of her ear using just the Oogoo and did not need to cut the mold or even need any type of mold release.
This stuff is easily colorable too when mixing it up. The author of the instructable recommended using old-based paints, as water will trigger the set process of the silicone, but I was able to successfully use water-based paint. That being said, when I mixed in the paint, the Oogoo was less pliable initially, I might want to use less corn starch when I color in the future.
You want to use the Silicone I type of silicone. Silicone II is available at stores and apparently it is not the correct time. Not sure of what would happen.
There is a strong smell of Acetic acid that is released by the silicone (vinegar) so you might want to be well ventilated. I did get a headache after doing this in my kitchen and it sting your eyes a bit, but nothing we all haven't had to deal with doing other projects, I'm sure!
I wanted to pass this along to fellow haunters to use and enjoy. I've seen this type of silicone being used to create fake wounds before, and this might make that process easier as well. :jol:
TLDR: Silicone I + Corn starch = quick and cheap silicone casting substitute.
Enjoy!
aint. Thanks for the info!
