REUSABLE BEESWAX COMPOSITE MOLDS
In the Light of a Shadow, Mass Moca | 2021
This technique is an excellent alternative to what are commonly referred to as 'waste molds'.
For this project, we had 13 boulders that need to be hollow cast. It's a very straight forward process that should give you high surface fidelity, and the ability to re-use most of your mold making supplies. I used a beeswax and Microcrystalline mix. It allowed for some flexibility in the wax while I removed the molds.
I used cheesecloth to reinforce the molds, which can be extracted and reused from the melter once the mold has broken down. To reinforce the castings, we used burlap.
Making the Mold:
- Seal your object. I used Shellac followed by Sonite wax.
- Prep your wax melter (if possible I'd recommend a beeswax/Microcrystalline mixture)
- Pre-cut cheesecloth to dip into your wax (You may need multiple sizes/shapes)
- Splashcoat your first layer of wax. move quickly, the wax will cool rapidly.
- Apply your cheesecloth, use a chip brush to tamp out as many bubbles as you can.
- After you've achieved even coverage, allow the mold to cool.
- Once cool, using a razor you don't mind getting wax on, cut the desired seams.
- Slowly start to open the mold. Make sure your seams address any undercuts.
- Once the mold releases, you can start to weld the seams back together.