Plaster painting
and decorating
using the
varied latex moulds/latex molds from Aldax is easy and great deal of
fun. Suitable
for all ages, for you and for your children. From the simplest plain
design to the most complex highly detailed mould you will find it a
most enjoyable experience.
Aldax supplies
the latex moulds/latex molds, you
have to
supply the decorating skill to make this your own personal project. It
will be all your work, a finished piece that you will be proud to
display in your home or give as a gift. Aldax can even provide the
Moulding latex if you wish to create your own unique pieces.
Briefly, to
cast the latex mould, it
must be
supported to hang upside down where it is filled with liquid plaster
that will turn solid in a matter of 10 to 20 minutes. The latex mould
is then
stripped off the plaster
mold casting or whiteware as it
is known and let dry before decorating. The latex moulds/latex molds
may be used for
casting plaster, soap, candles and resin.
The
following casting
materials may be used in latex moulds/latex molds.
General
Casting:
Aldax Moulding
Powder.
This is a superfine casting plaster that has a harder surface than
normal casting materials, to prevent chipping and assist decorating.
Chess
& similar
projects:
Aldax
StonePlast Powder. This is what is called a gypsum cement type plaster.
Very, very hard and difficult to break, making it ideal for often
handled pieces such as chess set pieces or lamp bases.
Casting
Resin:
Aldax CraftCast.
This is
resin that sets up hard in 3 minutes and can be taken from the mould in
10 minutes. It is opaque white in colour and may be easily decorated
with acrylic craft paints.
Clear
Casting Resin:
Aldax
CrystalCast.
This yields a clear colourless, glass like finished piece. It can be
stained any colour with transparent dyes or left as it is.
Candle
Wax:
This is usually a
mixture of
paraffin wax and stearic acid or stearine. We make the latex candle
moulds of thicker latex to help withstand the heat.
Concrete:
These, mainly garden
moulds, are
specially made to withstand the abrasive nature of sand and cement
being cast into them. They are usually larger moulds many requiring a
back-up mould of fiberglass or resin to support the latex when casting
the heavy weight of concrete into them.
Soap
Compounds:
All types of soap
may be
cast in latex moulds. Most professionals prefer silicone or metal
moulds for continuous use, however latex moulds/latex molds are
suitable for short runs.
KIDS
MODELLING
Primary school children have reached an age when plaster casting, model
making and other 3D work is within their capability and is of great
interest to them. During their younger years they have fully explored
crayons and paints and other 2D projects and are ready for a new
challenge.
The process
teaches them to follow
a set of
instructions, it involves measuring, estimating and calculating. We
include a full set of instructions with all latex moulds/latex molds.
We recommend
the Supercast series
of latex moulds/latex molds
which we import from England for classroom activities. The activity is
designed to take 2 separate lessons of about an hour. The hour is used
to make the model and the second is used to paint it. At least a day
must separate the lessons to allow the models to dry.
A six pack of
the "green series
moulds" is
suitable for children up to 9 years. Each mould requires 200gm of
Moulding Powder. Full instructions are provided. For children 10 and
above the Supercast Wildlife series would be of more interest.
As a rough
guide a 5kg bag of
moulding
plaster will be sufficient for 25 children to make their own "green
series" model. The latex moulds/latex molds used in this activity
should be washed
after every use and stored in a cool dark area for re-use time and time
again.
PLASTER
PAINTING FUND RAISING
Plaster painting using latex moulds/latex molds is an easy stall to set
up and run at any school,
church or club run fund raising fete or similar activity. Invariably it
attracts much attention and excitement and as a plus it is usually the
most profitable. The cost of the whiteware for children to paint costs
cents to make and can fetch multi dollar prices.
We can provide
the brushes
required at very
low cost and have arranged for a basic colour range of Acrylic paint in
2 litre containers that may be equipped with paint pumps. The pumps may
be used for dispensing onto paint palettes or separate paint containers
that can be sold for $1.00 each. We provide instructions on how to make
the whiteware and decorating ideas with all latex moulds/latex molds.
D-I-Y
PLASTER PAINTING PARTIES
How to entertain your child's friends is a problem that every parent
faces when the time comes for your children's birthday party? The
expense can get quite out of hand particularly if you employ someone to
run the party for you or to entertain the guests.
Many parents
have been finding
that a
really absorbing pastime to introduce to a party is a self run painting
party concept. Many use a theme such as a pirates party for the boys or
a fairy party for the girls Give prizes for the best painted piece.
We provide
latex moulds/latex molds, brushes and
paint, tuned
to the theme of the party and give you full instructions. You have
everything ready before the party at a fraction of the cost of a
catered party.
The good part
is the children
really enjoy
the activity with the plus factor that the very nature of plaster
painting is that it keeps them quiet and engaged, while it allows you
to catch your breath.
PLASTER
PAINTING AS A SECOND INCOME
While I do not suggest renting a shop for plaster painting activities
without putting your toe in the water first, markets are providing a
low cost entry for selling plaster whiteware for use in
plasterpainting. Many an entrepreneur has gone on to bigger things
starting off in this fashion.
However,
starting off from home is
certainly the best idea of all. No rent, no travelling, all profit. We
are happy to talk any proposal through with you, based on our own 25
years of practical "setting up home studios" experience.
We have created a starter kit to get you
started casting for either a party or for your own business. It can be found here.
Copyright 2008 AldaxEnterprises Pty Ltd
