GEODESIC FOAM SCENERY™ QUICK HELP GUIDE
BRAGDON ENTERPRISES Technical assistance by phone. (530) 333-1365 8AM to
8PM PST 24 hour FAX (530) 333-1051 |
PROBLEM |
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS |
| HARD SHELL |
| Foam is not completely covering the bubble wrap or screen.
|
Mix a larger amount of foam resin per square foot.
Bubble wrap and screen can vary.
Between 1 ½ and 2 ounces total of A & B
for full coverage is needed for bubble wrap.
¾ to 1 ¼ oz per foot for screen only. After
spreading the foam and covering it with plastic
wrap, press the screen into the expanding foam
with your hands. This will distribute the foam more
evenly over the surface. Spread the foam over the
bubble wrap or screen in the first minute or so after
being mixed with resin. Spreading it after it has
expanded will deflate the foam and limit coverage
and finished strength. Improper measuring.
50/50 ratio is important. More “A” than “B” will
result in weak finished foam. |
| Plastic wrap will not strip off of the shell. |
Remove it 15 to 30 minutes after the foam has expanded. Too soon and
the foam is still sticky;
too long and it will be glued to the shell. |
| Foam sets too fast. |
Cool the resin to between 50 and 70 degrees F.
The warmer the resin the faster the foam sets. |
| ROCK CASTING |
| Resins are setting too fast. |
Resins are too warm. Cool them in a refrigerator or ice
chest to between 50 and 70 degrees F. |
| Casting will not release from the mold. |
No mold release used or improper mold release or not enough
used. Cover the detail surface of the mold with a very thin, even layer of
petroleum jelly, then spray with petroleum solvent based spray paint (lacquer
is best).
Allow the paint to dry to the touch before adding Cast Satin™ resin.
It is best to use the prepared mold within 24 hours of spraying with paint.
Mold release must
be applied for each casting. |
| Casting is tearing when it is removed from the mold. |
Some edge tearing is normal and OK. Wait a minute
or two after the foam is no longer sticky to the touch,
but is still soft and flexible, to begin removing the
casting. Loosen the casting all of the way around the
edge of the mold. Then gently remove it. |
| Casting has hardened and will not bend to shape of hard
shell or blend with other Castings. |
Heat it gently in a 175 degree F oven or with a hot air
gun or hair dryer for a few minutes. It will remain
flexible until it cools.
|
| Cast Satin™ resin has bubbled in the mold. |
Resin was contaminated with moisture or other
impurities or the spray paint in the mold was not dry before the cast satin
was applied. |
| Gesso or paint will not adhere to the casting. |
Too much petroleum jelly was applied to the mold. Do not
apply it with a brush. Rub it in thinly with your
fingers; then spray with paint. Excess jelly can be washed off of thecastings
with paint thinner or soap
and water before adding gesso. |
| Eliminating visible hot glue threads from scenery. |
Blowing hot air from a hair dryer or hot air gun at the
glue threads will melt them into the scenery or castings so that they seem
to disappear. |