Introduction:
The best way to clean resin molds comes after excellent research. Resin art is always fun. The tricky part of your resin project is not the crafting but the cleaning part of the molds. The material is always sticky, and you must clean it quickly. Let’s explore the ways that help in cleaning the resin mold.
The significance of opting for the best way to clean resin molds
After accomplishing the resin project, you will get a beautifully crafted project and the contaminated resin mold. The effort you put into creating a beautiful project shatters after seeing the stuff left out for cleaning. If you think throwing away the sticky and used mold is the best solution, then you are wrong. The material of resin art, including the molds, are costly. Hence, throwing away your stuff is not a wise decision to make. Instead, look forward to the ways to offer cleaning resin molds.
After finding the solutions to clean the molds, your life will be at peace. Experts often share that they use the molds repeatedly in their projects instead of throwing the used ones. Also, one more thing to consider is that you cannot use the unclean mold in the next project. The sticky residues left in the mold wouldn’t make the next project neat. Therefore, cleaning the resin mold is the key to starting the next project.
The resin art is mainly based on how carefully you use the tools for the project. Taking care of the silicon mold is the primary aspect of this hobby. It is a costly kind of art, and the tools you purchase are also costly. Similarly, you cannot re-purchase the tools multiple times. Hence, offer proper cleaning of the tools like the mold you use.
Let’s now find ways used for cleaning silicone molds.
How to clean resin molds?
Below you will find helpful techniques for cleaning the resin molds. Following the techniques according to the requirement will increase the resin molds’ longevity.
Wet wipes:
Hold the resin mold and examine it to see how dirty it is. Usually, the shimmer, glitter, and residues stick to the edges of the mold. How do you clean resin molds? It often clicks your mind. It is very simple. If you find light traces of dirtiness on the mold, then the wet wipes will do this job. Hold the mold tightly and clean the mold with wipes. Although it is not a thorough cleaning, it at least cleans the visible impurities.
Brush cleaning:
If you find resin traces in the crevices of the mold, then use a brush. Whatever brush you find, you can use it. The brush could be a small toothbrush or a paintbrush. Remember that its bristles should be soft, not hard, as a stiff brush would leave scratches on the mold. So, you have to do the rubbing of the mold. Then put the mold upside down to remove the dust of the resin.
A diluted solution with soapy water
The best way to clean silicone molds is with a soapy solution. To prepare the solution, take half a beaker with warm water. Make sure to use warm water only, not hot water. Then, add a few drops of dishwashing liquid or shampoo. Mix them, and a solution is ready. Now, you have to fill this mixture in the resin mold. Leave the mixture in the mold for some minutes. Thus, it makes the hard resin residues soft. You can then take these out quickly with a scrapper or something like that.
Afterward, rinse the mold thoroughly with water. Make sure no soapy water residue is left on the mold.
Tape for hard resin stains
The best way to clean resin molds is to use tape. Well, it is very simple. To implement this technique, you must cut the tape to a size bigger than the mold size. Paste it on the mold and gently press it down using your fingers. You have to wait for five seconds, then pull it off in the opposite direction you paste the tape. Hence, you would find the resin sticking on the peeled-off tape.
Removal of stubborn resin using freezer
If resin sticks to the mold and you cannot easily remove it, follow this technique. Take off the remaining resins from the mold that can quickly get off. However, if some stains are tough and you cannot remove them, place the mold in a freezer. Yes, a freezer is a place where your resin mold gets solid. Keep it placed in the freezer for a few hours.
After your resin achieves solidity, take it out. Pull the resin out of the mold using your hand or a spoon. Another way is to tap hard on the back side of the mold. The residues will get out of the mold. Hence, you will come across a cleaned mold.
The use of acetone
How to clean resin molds after use? It is possible with the chemical solvent called acetone. The acetone removes the stubborn resins and other greasy particles from the surfaces. Spray the acetone on the resin mold. Make sure you wait for some time until you feel a difference in the resin particles. When the stains become loose, it is the right time to wipe them.
Soak a cloth in the acetone solvent. Then, wipe the resin with the damped cloth. The double action of the acetone helps you remove the toughest stains of resins.
How to clean silicone resin molds?
As you know, it doesn’t get off the surface when resin dries on the silicon mold. You have to try different ways to get it removed. The best way to clean resin molds; is a silicon mold; try to heat the mold. For example, you can use a blow dryer and press the hot air button. The flow of hot air would blow the resin off the surface. The heat will melt the hard resin. Use a damp wipe to wipe it off.
The following technique is to place the mold in the preheated baking oven or microwave. The slow heating would change the resin’s temperature and make it easier for you to remove it.
The process of cleaning the sticky resin mold
To start the cleaning process of how to clean sticky resin molds, follow the steps. It is a complete guide for properly removing resin from its mold. Once you go through the steps, you will find them more accessible. So, after every resin project completion, visit the blog to go through the cleaning of resin mold process.
1. Extract the resins from the mold
The initial step is removing the large resin pieces from the mold. Use a scrapper or brush to dust off them slightly. Be very gentle for this step. Similarly, any strenuous effort would damage the mold’s smoothness.
2. Place the mold in water or a solution
Dipping the resin mold in water soap or water and a chemical solution softens the remaining resin. Hence, it will loosen the bonds of tough resins.
3. Rub the surface
Using a sponge or brush, rub the surface of the mold. It will take off the residues very fast.
4. Wash off the resin mold
Rinse the surface with regular tap water to know how to wash resin molds. Then, slightly rub the surface to remove the most negligible traces of resins effectively.
5. Let the resin mold dry
After rinsing it, take a paper towel to dry the surface properly.
How to clean epoxy resin molds?
As you know, epoxy resin is an adhesive material. Therefore, it sticks to the surface when you use it in the molds. To release the sticky residues from the mold, use chemicals acetone. You have to place the mold in the acetone solution for 20 minutes. Let the mixture do its job correctly.
Now heat the mold containing the residues of resins. Heating will make the epoxy resin so soft you can easily remove it. You can use a lighter to heat the mold. Then use a scrapper or a sharp tool to extract the soft epoxy resin from the mold. Guess what? This technique is often considered the best way to clean resin molds. You will eventually get a clean and perfect mold of resin back.
How to clean resin molds- The precautionary measures
Cleaning a resin mold is an essential requirement after completing your resin project. However, take preventive measures before you start cleaning. Direct contact with raisins might become a danger to your health. For example, you could get irritation in your eyes and nose. Your skin can become sensitive to it.
The following are the precautions you have to follow when cleaning silicone molds.
- Do wear a mask and gloves when starting the cleaning process.
- It is best if you do the cleaning in an open space. Or you could even do this task in a properly ventilated room.
- Avoid the use of chemicals like ammonia or other harmful chemicals. The chemicals release dangerous gases that, when you breathe in, damage your respiratory system.
Conclusion:
It is hard to decide the best way to clean resin molds. You will come across many different techniques, and every technique has different results. Make sure to choose the method that would give you effective results.