If you are working with silicone molds to create decorative items using epoxy resin casting, you will certainly be interested in how to properly clean and maintain your silicone molds to ensure they serve you well for as long as possible.
Why use silicone molds for working with resin?
Silicone molds are an excellent tool for resin casting because they are made from a non-stick, non-absorbent material. They can be used repeatedly and, with proper care, have a long lifespan.
Cleaning silicone molds
Silicone molds are great helpers and are relatively low maintenance, but even this material occasionally needs cleaning. How to clean silicone?
Cleaning before casting
Molds often become slightly dusty due to storage and may accumulate other impurities, so they need to be cleaned before each use.
Do not clean silicone molds with water, as it could leave water spots. Additionally, epoxy resin reacts poorly with water; any residual water or moisture in the silicone mold could irreversibly damage the resin product. You can clean the molds with a special NanoTech cleaner or by using adhesive tape to remove impurities such as dust.
Can’t I wash the molds with water?
You can, but it is generally not recommended because it cannot be guaranteed that the user will allow the mold to dry properly before casting. Additionally, using a kitchen towel can be problematic as it may leave fine fibers on the surface that could end up in the resin during casting.
If you really need to wash the molds with water, use lukewarm water with a small amount of detergent. After thoroughly rinsing, shake off all the water using a towel laid on the table. This method helps remove all droplets that could form water spots after drying. Allow the washed mold to dry completely before use.
Do not place the molds on any hot surfaces such as stoves or hot plates. While this may speed up the drying process, it could also damage the mold.
Storing silicone molds
Store silicone molds for resin in a way that they do not bend or have anything touching their shiny parts. Any dents that occur cannot be removed from the mold.
VIDEO: How to clean molds
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