Releasing
STEP ONE
Before you start make sure you have ALL the items (1) within reach and ready to go.
Make sure the mix is dry enough to take out of the mould. Using a nail or similar item, try scratching a line into cement...If you can't then it SHOULD be dry enough.
STEP TWO
Press down onto the sides of the mould. This will help release the product and break off any loose cement from the edge. (2)
STEP THREE
Making sure you have a flat surface, lay the mould right way up. (3,4)
Be careful, and make sure you support the product as it is turned over as it probably will drop out.
Pull back on outer edge to once again help release the mould. (5)
Carefully lift the mould off. (6) Sometimes they can be a bit stubborn, so a little bit of light flexing, shaking or lifting by the outer edge may be required.
Cleaning
STEP ONE
The following part is optional, but we have found it to be the easiest and safest way cleaning and sanding your product without causing too much damage.
Leave the product sitting on flat surface of sand.
Run your metal file around the outer edge to remove rough or "daggy" edges. (7,8)
Once you have removed the bulk of rough edges, carefully turn the product onto its side and continue filing the edges until they are smooth or fairly close too it. (9,10)
Try to avoid doing any of these steps on hard or uneven surface. Although the product appears to be dry, it is still very soft and easy to damage.
Try also, to do these steps as soon as you remove from mould. If it is left too long, the product will dry a lot quicker, once removed from the mould, making cleaning and sanding much more difficult.
SANDING
STEP ONE
We have placed our product onto a soft polystyrene block and covered it with polythene plastic sheet but any soft surface will do. (12)
You can even use an old pillow or cushion and cover with plastic sheet...
With the 80 grit sand paper, sand and round off the edges. If the edges are left sharp or not rounded off adequately , it will be prone to chipping. It also looks a lot nicer. (13, 14 ,15)
Also give the base a light sand to get rid of any high spots (16)
Lastly, rinse off product with clean water. (17) Any sand or grit could still adhere to the surface so it must be removed.
If there are any unsightly lumps or rough areas on the surface of your product use the 120 grit sandpaper and lightly sand away. Re-rinse with water if needed.
Lastly, leave your product to dry completely. Usually between 3 - 5 days depending on time of year and temperature. (18)
Your product is going to set a lot quicker in the Summer time. It is very important that ,for a least 10 hours after pouring, you keep the setting mould out of direct sunlight. If cement sets too fast it WILL crack. After taking your product out of the mould you CAN leave to dry in direct sunlight if you wish without the risk off cracking.
Cleaning your Mould
To clean the mould we use a dilution of hydrochloric acid (19)
We use a 80 Ltr plastic bath with a lid for storage. We will be using more of the acid later on so we want to keep it stored in safe place away from pets and children...
Make sure you wear rubber gloves when using acid. Also you will need a respirator / face mask and eye protection in case of splashes.
The mix ratio is 1 part acid to 15 parts water. In this case we are using 2 litres of acid and thirty litres of water. (21, 22)
The acid is at its strongest when first mixed. It releases a visible vapor cloud which is VERY unpleasant to inhale, so make sure you do this in well ventilated area and wear the appropriate safety equipment. Sometimes it is better to mix and then leave to sit for half an hour before using. This gives it time to settle and slows the release of vapor.
Place your mould into acid dilution. This will completely dissolve any cement residue left behind inside the mould. (23)
After about 5 - 10 minutes, give the mould a quick brush to ensure it is free of cement.
The acid will not harm the plastic mould.
If you prefer you can use warm soapy water and a scrubbing brush, but you risk scratching the mould if you're not careful.
Lastly, rinse the mould with clean water. (25)
Store the mould in cool place and never leave in direct sunlight! This will cause your mould to distort, especially in the summer when temperatures can be most extreme.
STEP ONE
Before you start make sure you have ALL the items (1) within reach and ready to go.
Make sure the mix is dry enough to take out of the mould. Using a nail or similar item, try scratching a line into cement...If you can't then it SHOULD be dry enough.
STEP TWO
Press down onto the sides of the mould. This will help release the product and break off any loose cement from the edge. (2)
STEP THREE
Making sure you have a flat surface, lay the mould right way up. (3,4)
Be careful, and make sure you support the product as it is turned over as it probably will drop out.
Pull back on outer edge to once again help release the mould. (5)
Carefully lift the mould off. (6) Sometimes they can be a bit stubborn, so a little bit of light flexing, shaking or lifting by the outer edge may be required.
Cleaning
STEP ONE
The following part is optional, but we have found it to be the easiest and safest way cleaning and sanding your product without causing too much damage.
Leave the product sitting on flat surface of sand.
Run your metal file around the outer edge to remove rough or "daggy" edges. (7,8)
Once you have removed the bulk of rough edges, carefully turn the product onto its side and continue filing the edges until they are smooth or fairly close too it. (9,10)
Try to avoid doing any of these steps on hard or uneven surface. Although the product appears to be dry, it is still very soft and easy to damage.
Try also, to do these steps as soon as you remove from mould. If it is left too long, the product will dry a lot quicker, once removed from the mould, making cleaning and sanding much more difficult.
SANDING
STEP ONE
We have placed our product onto a soft polystyrene block and covered it with polythene plastic sheet but any soft surface will do. (12)
You can even use an old pillow or cushion and cover with plastic sheet...
With the 80 grit sand paper, sand and round off the edges. If the edges are left sharp or not rounded off adequately , it will be prone to chipping. It also looks a lot nicer. (13, 14 ,15)
Also give the base a light sand to get rid of any high spots (16)
Lastly, rinse off product with clean water. (17) Any sand or grit could still adhere to the surface so it must be removed.
If there are any unsightly lumps or rough areas on the surface of your product use the 120 grit sandpaper and lightly sand away. Re-rinse with water if needed.
Lastly, leave your product to dry completely. Usually between 3 - 5 days depending on time of year and temperature. (18)
Your product is going to set a lot quicker in the Summer time. It is very important that ,for a least 10 hours after pouring, you keep the setting mould out of direct sunlight. If cement sets too fast it WILL crack. After taking your product out of the mould you CAN leave to dry in direct sunlight if you wish without the risk off cracking.
Cleaning your Mould
To clean the mould we use a dilution of hydrochloric acid (19)
We use a 80 Ltr plastic bath with a lid for storage. We will be using more of the acid later on so we want to keep it stored in safe place away from pets and children...
Make sure you wear rubber gloves when using acid. Also you will need a respirator / face mask and eye protection in case of splashes.
The mix ratio is 1 part acid to 15 parts water. In this case we are using 2 litres of acid and thirty litres of water. (21, 22)
The acid is at its strongest when first mixed. It releases a visible vapor cloud which is VERY unpleasant to inhale, so make sure you do this in well ventilated area and wear the appropriate safety equipment. Sometimes it is better to mix and then leave to sit for half an hour before using. This gives it time to settle and slows the release of vapor.
Place your mould into acid dilution. This will completely dissolve any cement residue left behind inside the mould. (23)
After about 5 - 10 minutes, give the mould a quick brush to ensure it is free of cement.
The acid will not harm the plastic mould.
If you prefer you can use warm soapy water and a scrubbing brush, but you risk scratching the mould if you're not careful.
Lastly, rinse the mould with clean water. (25)
Store the mould in cool place and never leave in direct sunlight! This will cause your mould to distort, especially in the summer when temperatures can be most extreme.
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