Mold Release Guide – The best Epoxy Release Agent

Artists and people who like to do things on their own can make any shape they want with epoxy resin. Especially if you want to use your own forms, there are no limits to what you can come up with. When the epoxy resin has hardened, the casting needs to come out of the mold well. To do this, you need a release agent. We talk about the pros and cons of the different epoxy resin release agents and how to use them to grease your silicone mold.

What are release agents for epoxy resin needed for?

Release agents are usually thought of as substances that keep different materials or things from sticking or sticking together.

If you use epoxy resin to make things like everyday and art objects, you need more than just the resin, the hardener, and the right mold. You also need a release agent in every case. The silicone mold you use should be sprayed with cooking spray before you put it in the oven. Because the hardening epoxy resin doesn’t stick, this helps it not to. People who make small castings, as well as furniture where epoxy resin is embedded or worked into other materials, like wood, need to be aware of this.

When making molds with epoxy resin and glass fiber mats, it is also important to process the negative mold with a release agent for epoxy before you start making the mold. Otherwise, the mold won’t come out and all your work was for nothing.

In order for this to work, the epoxy resin release agent must completely cover the mold. There must be no contact between the epoxy resin and the mold at all. resin can stick to molds when they are cured, which usually means the mold is damaged and the casting can’t be used.

When epoxy resin is mixed with polyester resin, the same release agent can also be used with polyurethane resin.

Note that there isn’t a good epoxy resin release agent for wood because it’s a porous, which means that it’s going to soak up epoxy. In order to use a release agent on these types of surfaces, they need to be sealed first. Otherwise, the release agent will be mostly absorbed by the surface. Among them: Wood, plaster, and foam are some of the things. It’s already been sealed when we talk about a good epoxy resin release agent for wood in the next part of our guide.

Release Spray

There are two ways to use a release agent when you cast epoxy resin: a spray or wax. Your choice depends on what you’re going to use it for. For small and detailed molds, a release spray for epoxy resin is better than a wax because it doesn’t need to be rubbed in.

The spray works with wax and aerosols. Then, the wax layer is put on the mold by the carrier material. While the wax layer is still on the mold, the aerosols evaporate in a short amount of time.

Fields of application

A release spray is good for molds with a lot of small edges and corners, because the spraying process makes sure the release agent is spread out evenly. If you want to get a very even surface when casting epoxy resin with the release agent, you can polish the spray afterward. This isn’t a must, but it can help.

Application

There must be no grease, oil, or dirt left on the surface at all. For example, this is true for both release sprays and waxes and lacquers made of PVA, which are also called “release lacquers.” Oil and grease, in particular, make it hard for the release agent to stick to the surface. It floats on a kind of oil slick and can’t do its job. In fact, the casting material does stick to the mold after it has cured. This means that the mold and the casting could be broken.

After a thorough cleaning, shake the can well with the spray that comes out of it. It’s now time to use the release spray to make sure that the mold isn’t too thick. Keep a distance of 20 to 30 cm from the mold when you spray it. During this time, you should not do anything. Now you can use a lint-free, soft cloth to clean the release film if it needs to be cleaned.

It’s best to treat new forms this way several times, at least three times. Afterward, let the mold dry off for a few hours.

Recommendation: Stoner mold Release Spray

The Stoner Release Spray with Wax is a mold release agent that can be used for many different things and different materials. It makes it easier for the user to get the casting off and gives them a more pleasant experience. The Stoner Release spray also has a lot of other benefits:

Release Wax

Release wax doesn’t come in a spray can like the release spray. Instead, it comes in wax. So, you can just wipe it out of the container with a cloth. As soon as you open the container, a cloth is held in front of it and wax is poured on it. Then, you can use it to grease your silicone mold with it, as well. But the wax can also be used on surfaces that aren’t made of silicone.

Afterwards, the wax leaves a matte finish that can be cleaned with a clean, lint-free cloth. In this way, the surface is very shiny.

Fields of application

For large and flat surfaces, release wax is the best thing to use. Instead of using a cloth to spread out the wax evenly in small areas, use a release spray. It can be hard to spread the wax evenly in small areas with a cloth.

In most cases, you should clean the mold once to get rid of any wax residues that have built up. Steel wool and warm water can be used to make this happen. This can be done.

Application

In order to use the release wax, you first need to shake it up a lot. This lets the wax and solvent mix together again, which can happen after a long time. To get rid of the wax, a spatula is used to scrape it off. The wax is then spread on the cloth with clean, lint-free cloth. Wait for about five minutes, then use a clean cloth to remove the wax from the surface. New molds need a second coat of paint. In the same way, you should wait at least one night between each release coat.

To make the surface shiny, you should also treat the wax release layer with a PVA release lacquer, as well.

Recommendation: Orca Shimmer mold Release Wax

This wax can also be used with all types of resin. People who use it get a lot of benefits.

PVA Release Lacquer

PVA Release Lacquer is also used to make it easier to get castings out of the mold. It is sprayed on the negative mold, like release spray. This makes a film that looks like a film on the mold. Polyvinyl alcohol is used to make the release lacquer, and it promises to make a good release layer.

Fields of application

PVA release lacquer is often used with a wax to help epoxy resin come off of the surface of a piece of wood. As the last layer between the wax and the epoxy resin, it is called the “last layer.” It not only makes it easy to remove from the mold, but it also has a high-gloss surface. Following the application of PVA, the surface does not need to be buffed.

In addition, PVA release lacquer can be used to treat porous or sealed surfaces, like melamine resin press plates that have been sealed or plastered.

Application

There are many ways to apply the release lacquer for epoxy resin. You can use a spray gun or a sponge, brush, foam, or other tool to help. In this case, the best way is to do it crosswise, which means that you should start by applying it lengthwise. Then crosswise, and then again lengthwise. New paint should not be put on in between coats of old paint. Keep the paint thin and even, then let the mold flash off for between five and 10 minutes.

The release lacquer is very easy to remove with lukewarm water and a sponge.

Recommendation: Partall PVA Release Agent

Partall’s PVA release lacquer is the best epoxy resin release agent for wood, silicone, and other materials. It’s also good for other things. It has a lot of benefits for the person who uses it:

Tips and Tricks for easy Demolding of Castings

There is no way to get a casting out of the mold that is the best way. The size of the mold and the design of the part play a big role in how the part is released.

Every time you cast something, always start by loosening up the edges. All it takes to get most parts out of the mold is to turn it over. Simple parts already fall off as soon as the mold is turned over.

If the release doesn’t work on the first try, you can help with the removal of wedges. These plastic wedges can be bought at any hardware store or online. They can also be used to open two-part molds.

If you have the chance, you can blow compressed air between the mold and the cured part. Make a noise with a rubber mallet if it doesn’t come out.