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August 15, 2011
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Trying to learn how to cast fish bodies for replicas. Which gel coat works best for you guys? Also, what do you use for bedding material?
Thanks for any info!
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May 6, 2012
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MNM, as per your question, AIMO, depending on the species and size, in order to “bed” a fish for molding, Hi Fiber, #1 Molding Plaster, and fine washed sand can be used. One of the big miss conceptions of gel coat is that many call a mix of resin and bondo a gel coat. it IS NOT! bondo and resin are both effected by moisture, where true gel coat is not. although it sure has it’s place in taxidermy, it is my last choice for molding a production mold. true gel coat contains titanium dioxide, and come with wax or without wax. for molding from a fish, make sure you buy wax free gel coat, or your build up layers will not bond to your print coat. also use a high grade MEKP. I use Hi Point 90. feel free to pm me if you have any questions. hope this helps
September 26, 2011
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I agree with marshy creek. I use bondo/resin mix for making a temporary mold, but it will never hold up to the abuse a production mold goes through.
One way to do it is to make a mold out of bondo/resin, chase it ( clean it up) then make a mold out of a high quality tooling gel coat from that cast.
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August 15, 2011
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Thanks for the replies. Huge help.
Life Member of the National Taxidermists Association
Life Member of the National Rifle Association
May 6, 2012
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Aaron, thanks! for a one off mold, 5 or 6 pull’s are max for a none production mold, if it was made correctly, and you prep it correctly. however, for most taxidermists unless you plan to build a mold collection, bondo and resin is the way to go. if you understand the principles of your material, and the right choice of material, you can mold a fish into a production mold without having to do any chasing, or re casting. roto molders, like Lake Country chase, re work, and recast in Silicone and RTV material. A hard shell, like tooling resin, is used for a support blanket, yet has no strength or flexibility for a production mold. The expense of the chase is not worth the effort for one op molding. understanding the properties and how you can manipulate them is key to making your mold, not only cost effective, yet fast, right off the fish.
