In this article, we’ll show you how to release epoxy resin from a mold. Epoxy is a great material for making molds and casts, but it can be difficult to remove the final product from the mold once it has been cured.
There are a few ways that you can make the process easier though!
What Is A Good Release Agent For Epoxy
Since epoxy is a two-part resin, it requires an appropriate release agent in order to prevent the part from being stuck.
Waxes:
wax is the most common and affordable release agent for epoxy resin. You can apply it manually or by using adhesive tape to make sure that no excess accumulates around the mold surface.
Simply rub a candle on your tools with moderate intensity, this will leave behind some residue which you should then wipe clean with a cloth before use.
To create even more of a barrier between your tool’s surface and epoxy, sprinkle in some talcum powder into melted wax, when cooled down, simply peel off and discard away any surplus material from hardened parts as they come out of their molds.
Oil:
oil works well for releasing polyurethane resins since it’s compatible with the polyurethane base, but it’s also not recommended for epoxy since its properties can potentially dissolve the resin.
Table of Contents
- What Is A Good Release Agent For Epoxy
- How Do You Get Resin Out Of Mold
- How Do You Keep Resin From Sticking To The Mold
- Why Is My Resin Sticking To My Mold
- Can I Use Wd40 As A Mold Release
- Can I Use Vaseline As Mold Release
- What Kind Of Mold Do You Use For Resin
- How Do You Clean Silicone Molds After Using Resin
- Will Vaseline Keep Epoxy From Sticking
- Does Resin Stick To Saran Wrap
- What Material Will Resin Not Stick To
How Do You Get Resin Out Of Mold
There are two main types of mold that you might use for casting epoxy resin: a box or flat top.
A good way to release the cured epoxy from the mold is with a knife, but make sure it’s sharp and clean! If your molds have removable bottom pieces (like on our double-sided frame), this can be used as well.
You may need to scrape some areas like corners or around holes in order to get any stubborn spots out if they don’t pop right off using one of those methods.
You will also want something small enough so that it fits into tight spaces where water doesn’t normally go.
We recommend just getting an old toothbrush at first until you know what works for you. Some people have also had success using a damp sponge, just make sure it’s not so wet that water is dripping from it.
If your mold has any hard-to-reach spots or details, sometimes the best option is to spray some WD-40 onto them and let them sit for about 15 minutes before trying again with one of the above methods.
We don’t recommend this method on molds where there are delicate parts sticking out though!
How Do You Keep Resin From Sticking To The Mold
First, you can try rubbing some baby powder on the inside of the mold. This will help prevent it from sticking to itself and make it easier to pop open.
You could also try spraying cooking spray or silicone lubricant onto the inside of your mold before pouring in resin.
That way, any excess resin that does spill over should come right out when you pull off the rubber mold.
Why Is My Resin Sticking To My Mold
Epoxy resin, like most plastics, has a high affinity for releasing other plastics. This means that it will stick to anything made of plastic.
If you put epoxy resin into your mold and let it cure, the end product may never come out due to issues with sticking!
There are many ways to release cured epoxy resins from molds, some require special tools or chemicals but one simple solution is using boiling water.
Can I Use Wd40 As A Mold Release
Yes, but it may leave oil marks on your product. However, if this is not an issue for you then go ahead and try using WD-40 because it does work in most cases.
The only downside of using WD-40 is that It will have to be cleaned properly before further processing can take place so consider yourself warned!
Another option would be to soak the entire thing overnight in hot water which should do the trick too although we don’t recommend soaking these molds for several days consecutively since they are made out of plastic and therefore could get warped or deformed under such conditions.
Warn also that WD-40 is not a mold release agent and therefore should never be used as such!
We recommend using cooking spray as it has worked for us in the past. Simply apply a light coating to both sides of your molds and then let them dry naturally after which they should easily pop out without any hassle, just remember that you can’t use cooking spray on PETG or other soft plastic so this would only work with PLA.
If none of these options work, there are always superglue techniques if all else fails because those have proven very effective so far but we don’t recommend trying those unless absolutely necessary.
Can I Use Vaseline As Mold Release
No! Vaseline is not a good choice for mold release. It might work with some materials, but it can also cause problems.
What Kind Of Mold Do You Use For Resin
There are many kinds of molds available on the market for making castings with epoxy resin.
Casting resins come in different levels of hardness that affect how difficult it will be to release your casting from its mold the harder the resin, the more difficult it will be to separate your casting from its mold.
How Do You Clean Silicone Molds After Using Resin
Often, you can simply wash your silicone mold with soap and water. For stubborn stains, use a mild abrasive cleaner like baking soda or Barkeepers Friend powder.
If you used a two-part mold release, make sure to scrub the silicone with an old toothbrush.
Don’t use dish soap or other detergents that are oily or have scents added! The oils can interfere with your castings.
If you have time, let your molds air dry overnight before using them again. If you are in a hurry, use paper towels to dry your molds.
If you used an aerosol mold release spray or gel, make sure to wipe the entire surface with a clean paper towel before using it again.
Will Vaseline Keep Epoxy From Sticking
There is no known way to keep the epoxy from sticking. Vaseline does not prevent it but may protect your skin if you get some on it.
Does Resin Stick To Saran Wrap
Although it is possible for epoxy resin to stick to saran wrap, the process has a few steps that must be followed in order for the release of the mold to be successful.
The first step involves making sure that there are no contaminates on either side of the saran wrap sheet by wiping down both surfaces prior to applying pressure with any type of tool.
Once the surfaces are clean, place a layer of saran wrap on top of your epoxy resin mold and then press down with a flat surface that is made from wood or rubber to ensure that there will be no damage done to either side.
If you have access to an automatic caulking gun at this point, it would greatly help in the release of your epoxy resin from its mold.
The next step would be to place a layer of Saran wrap on top of that and then apply pressure by laying down something heavy, such as bricks or cinder blocks onto areas where you want more pressure applied while leaving other areas open for airflow.
After this is done, allow the epoxy resin to sit for a minimum of 12 hours. Once the epoxy resin is released from its mold, it can be set out in a well-ventilated area and allowed to dry completely before beginning any other steps that may need to take place with your project.
What Material Will Resin Not Stick To
Glass, metal, and other epoxies.