Don't Just start putting layers of Laytex on some rocks.
First you will need a Mold Release or when you try to remove the rubber latex mold from the Rock the mold will destroy itself and rip and tear apart.
Making your own Rock molds.
1st. you need the rock and it can be a chunk you can carry into your work bench or you can make it from a large rock you find while in the mountains or desert or even from your own back yard. Back when you could find it large chunks of coal made great rocks for mold making.
2 nd. Supplies Needed :
A). I use Latex Rubber part #C1204 made by Woodland Scenics. It comes in a 16 ounce plastic Jar and is enough to make 7 or eight 5 X 5 in molds or 3 or four 8 inch X 10 inch molds.
B). Use a stiff 1 inch paint brush with the bristles cut to about 1-1/2 inches long,
C). Get a bucket of clean water,
D). a small cup with about 1-1/2 cups of water and 1/4 cup liquid dish soap to use for a mold release.
E). at least enough Cheese Cloth triple layered to cover the area with at least 1-1/2 inch over size around the whole area. if you cant find cheese cloth go to the neighbor hood pharmacy and buy some 3 to 4 inch wide (or wider if you can find it) Surgical gauze.
Time to start the mold: best to make molds on hot day 70 degrees plus 90 degrees is better
With the shortened stiff brush and the clean water scrub the area you plan to make the mold on to remove all the loose dirt and dust from the mold area & rinse well. make sure you leave the area wet. I then spray or brush on a coat of the water and soap mixture on the area.
With the 2 inch throw away brush start brushing on the first layer of latex Rubber onto the wet rock and make sure you get the latex in all the nooks and crannies. Allow this first layer to dry for one to two hours.
now apply a second layer of the latex rubber & wait another two hours and add a third layer of the latex and while this layer is fresh cover the area with Gauze or Cheese cloth.
If your using gauze roll out as many pieces as needed to cover the area side by side in one direction and press it into the wet latex and add a second layer of gauze at 90 degrees to the first and apply another heavy layer of latex over the Cheese cloth/Gauze and allow to dry over night.
I usually let it dry over night and the next day apply another thick coat of latex let that dry for two hours and apply another double layer of 3 ply cheese cloth and add a final coat of latex ,enough to completely cover the cheese cloth and let this final coat dry for 24 hours.
When you pull the latex mold off the rock start anywhere along the edge and go around the outside edge all the way around lifting a little at a time and once you get a good amount lifted carefully and slowly peel the mold off.
when I make Molds I usually make 4 to 5 at a time so I use up the whole 16 ounces or the whole jar of latex, other wise the remaining latex in the jar will dry in the jar in just a few days.
After you have the Mold removed from the rock wash it with warm soapy water and store in a zip lock bag.
I have some molds that are 30 years old and still work great. Don't store more than one mold per zip lock bag as the tend to become stuck together and become worthless.
Dan
