For some people the thought of working with Silicone is scary. I blame this on the Silicone Supplier, who usually doesn't question the Silicone Manufacturer about the Facts of Silicone.

We've done some research and have learned the basics of Silicone. And here they are:

1) There are 2 basic kinds of Silicone: Tin Based and Platinum Based. The Platinum is usually used in high temperature applications, such as jewelry making. We will only discuss the Tin based, as that is what is most usually used in our Industry.

2) Most Tin Silicones cure against everything. There are a very few that will not cure against sulfur clays, ask your Silicone distributor if their silicone does or doesn't.

3) Silicones come in colors or translucent. There only difference in these Silicones is that the colored catalyst has a pigment added to it, while the translucent doesn't. The color is added to help you see that your silicone is mixed thoroughly.

4) The colored Silicone is usually used for molds. The translucent is usually used for props that need a skin look and feel.

5) You can add just about anything to Tin Silicone to color it. Tin Silicone is very forgiving, it will cure under just about any circumstances. The best pigments to use for translucent Silicone is Artists oils (not waterbased oils) you can purchase at any Art Supply Shop. Texture can also be added to the Silicone in the form of . . .anything. . .pebbles, wood chips, sand. .. anything will cure in Silicone.

6) Tin Silicone is a Condensation cure Silicone. Which means it needs moisture to cure. In more humid weather your Silicone will cure faster than usual. Do not add water to make it cure quicker, you may ruin the silicone.

7) Silicone Base is mixed with a Catalyst which makes the base solidify. There are only a few things that make each Catalyst different from each other. Color, which is just pigment added, different companies use different colors. A pink Silicone can be the same as a blue Silicone, just the pigment added to the Catalyst is different. Some Catalysts make the Silicone kick (set up) quicker than others. The only difference with the quicker setting Catalyst is that you are adding more Tin to the base, which makes the base kick quicker. The Catalyst is just adding Tin to the base, the more Tin the quicker it will set up. The quicker it sets up the quicker you can pull your finished piece.

8) A typical pot life (working time - from the time the Catalyst comes in contact with the base) is about 60 minutes with a pull time (curing of your piece) of 16 to 24 hours. A quicker set is usually about 20-30 minutes with a cure time of 5-6 hours.

9) If you have a longer setting Silicone and want it to set quicker you can do one of 2 things. 1) Add extra Catalyst to the Base. 2) Add a 'Kicker' or Accelerator to the Catalyst and then mix. Remember the only thing you will be doing is adding more Tin to the Base which makes it kick faster.

10) If you want to brush on your Silicone you can add a thickener. Our Thixotropic (thickener) is added to the Silicone Base and then the Catalyst is added. You could use Cabosil (fumed Silica) instead but it doesn't work as well as the Thixo.

11) You can paint Silicone by using a Translucent Silicone. If your piece was made out of Translucent Silicone just mix up a small batch of same, thin it with any solvent, add your pigment then paint. Silicone sticks to Silicone.

12) You can patch Silicone by mixing up a batch you used for the piece. Or purchase at any hardware store Contractors Silicone (made by GE). It's clear Silicone caulking that comes in a tube. Thin down with Naptha or just squeeze into the part you want to patch.

13) You don't need a release agent in most cases when using a Silicone mold. Tin Silicone leaches out oil which becomes it's release. When a release agent is needed, or preferred to none, ordinary Dish Detergent or Bar Hand Soap works well. It washes clean off of released castings with water-no toxic solvents are needed.







Disclaimer: FX Warehouse Inc. will not be responsible for use of misuse of any products you may buy or use from us. Most of our products are for Professional Use only. Use at your own risk.