Achieving optically clear parts using resin is not impossible however as anyone with experience will tell you it can be tricky especially if the cast possesses complex detail.

Tricks & Tips for Resin Casting

• Use a good quality resin. Some cheap resins tend bubble more and yellow over time when exposed to light
• Heat the resin and vibrate the mold – this helps relieve surface tension and allows air bubbles to escape easier while filling the mold. Ultimately the heating/vibrating method can yield better results but it is not fail-safe

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Here are few tips & tricks to help you get the best results with Zuri Design moulds when using clays:

Preparation of mold:

• Start by making sure your mold is perfectly clean and dry
• Use a bit of corn starch to help with removing the clay
• Condition your air dray clay

Filling with clay

• Start by filling the mold with little pieces of clay
• Make sure that you’ve pushed it down into the smallest and most detailed areas of the mold
• If the clay sticks to your finger and won’t stay in the mold – just roll your finger off the clay, rather than pulling it straight up
• Add more clay until the entire mold is filled with clay
• Press down with your thumb or fingers to make sure all the bits of clay are fully blended

Remove excess clay

• Removed all excess from the seam lines of the clay pieces – you can use a blade to carefully slice off the excess clay
• It’s better to take several shallow passes with your blade rather than one big slice.
• If your clay pulls away from the mold, just push it back in. Sometimes the drag of the blade can pull the clay out of shallower areas of a mold
• Use a needle tool to dig out excess clay from hard to reach area areas
• Use your fingers to gently “sweep” the edges of the clay toward the center, away from the mold – this ensures that there isn’t stray clay around the edges of your casting.

De-moulding

If your molded piece is fairly shallow and doesn’t have a lot of fine projections, you may be able to easily remove the clay from the mold by turning it upside down and flexing the mold. The clay might very well just fall out easily with no distortion.

If it needs a little more coaxing, avoid using a craft knife or a needle tool to do that, as it’s usually going to create a problem by distorting your polymer clay. Instead, smooth a piece of clear plastic sheet or cling wrap onto the clay, adhering it. Then invert and try flexing the mold again. Use the extra “suction” power of the clay being stuck to the plastic to help pull the clay out of the mold.

If that doesn’t work, get a clean piece of glass or glossy ceramic tile. Invert the mold (and clay) onto the tile. Press down firmly over all areas of the mold, making sure to adhere the clay to the tile. Now try lifting the edge of the mold, flexing it as you pull it off, carefully checking to see if the clay is staying stuck to the tile.

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