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Resin molds are made from a soft, flexible material that is easy to use. You should clean them as soon as they are taken out of the oven and cooled.
Resin molds are an investment, and if you learn how to clean resin molds, you can reuse them hundreds or even thousands of times with minimal wear on your end.
Contents
How To Clean Your Resin Molds
Like cleaning your resin cups, don’t use harsh chemicals or solvents on your resin mold. Use only water mixed with simple dish soap, similar to the mixture for cleaning Shungite and cleaning resin cups. You can buy a dedicated cleaner or use baking soda to create your cleaning solution.
Use a baby wipe to remove resin scraps and glue after every use. Clean out your mold before it has entirely hardened-when the resin is still “green” and hasn’t fully cured yet.
Once you’ve cleaned your resin, try to remove any unwanted bubbles or imperfections using a dental pick or pin tool. Please don’t leave your resin molds in direct sunlight for long periods. It can leave them with a yellow or brownish tint.
If your resin molds have tiny grooves or lines, you can use a pin tool to poke them through the area and clear them out. You can also pour hot water into these areas and let it sit for a few minutes to remove anything stuck in these grooves.
You can also brush the affected area with a toothbrush and dish soap to get any stubborn areas of dirt and resin build-up.
As a final option, you can use a drill with a wire brush attachment to clean the mold more thoroughly. This will remove any hardened resin residue or dirt stuck in tiny crevices or grooves.
How To Remove Uncured Resin From Molds
If you have a lot of uncured resin in your mold, place it in warm water and let it sit for a couple of hours.
You can also add a few charcoal briquettes into the water with your resin mold if there is an excess of uncured resin. The charcoal will help to remove the uncured resin within 12 hours.
If your mold is made of plastic, you can use a heat gun to help soften the uncured resin and easily remove it. Just be careful not to overheat the mold as it could damage it!
You can also place your resin mold in direct sunlight to heat it, so the uncured resin is easy to remove. Just make sure not to leave your mold in the sun for too long, or it could warp!
You can buy a specialty product that will remove any leftover uncured resin from your molds. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions, which usually vary from product to product.
Tips For Keeping Your Resin Molds In Good Condition
| Mold Type | Shelf Life |
| Silicone | 6 months to a year |
| Latex | 6 months to 18 months |
| Urethane Casting Resins | 6 months |
| Epoxy Resins | 6 months to a year |
You should allow your resin mold to dry completely before removing it from the object after creating a cast with it. A wet resin mold will probably cause problems when attempting to remove it before time.
- Keep all resin molds somewhere safe where they cant be damaged by heat sources. This will prolong the life of your resin mold and keep it in good condition for future use.
- Put each resin part on a rock after you’ve poured it. This will allow the liquid to dry evenly, causing no damage or residue on the inside of your mold!
- Be sure that everything has been completely cured before removing it from the resin mold. It can take much longer to cure fully. This is especially important if you make significant or thick pieces with resin.
- Wrap the outside of your resin molds with a paper towel before placing them in storage. This will keep the dust off your molds and prevent further problems when pouring or removing your cast.
- Keep your resin mold away from any abrasive materials. It that can scratch up the surface and cause its appearance to change.
- Don’t pour the wet resin into your silicone molds. This will probably damage the finished product and cause problems when releasing it from the mold.
- The thicker or larger you need your parts to be, the longer you will need to allow your resin to cure before removing it from the mold. This is especially important if the part needs support or uses anything other than simple, clear resin.
Related Questions
How Do You Clean Silicone Molds After Resin?
You clean silicone molds like everyday items with soap and warm water. Make sure that you clean it right away after using it.
How Many Times Can You Reuse a Resin Mold?
You can reuse a resin mold as many as 35 times or more. It depends on the resin mold quality. Some can even be reused over 100 times if you properly know how to re-melt them.
How Long Do Resin Molds Last?
Resin molds can last for over a year. While most manufacturers estimate that molds can last around 6 months, resin molds can last longer with good use and care.
Conclusion
It is crucial to know how to clean resin molds. Keeping your resin molds clean is essential to avoid bacteria or residue build-up. We’ve listed some helpful ideas, don’ts, and dos for cleaning your resin molds.
Remember, to store your resin molds, always place them somewhere safe. They won’t be damaged by other objects or elements in their environment. Resin molds should never be soaked for more than a few minutes. They could warp or develop bubbles in the silicone.
