How would one "re-mold" a tiny amount of TPE?

dullahan · Post by **dullahan** » Wed May 10, 2017 8:26 am

So I will need to trim my TPE inserts a lot to get them to fit my doll's insert cavity. This means I'll have some unused TPE at my disposal. Thought I'd try molding some TPE areolas and nipples.

What kind of material would be needed for the mold? It needs to be pretty heat resistant while being easy to work with, I'd wager?

How much heat will it take to get the job done?

I am aware of the toxicity of TPE. I can ventilate the house pretty well by opening 2 big windows to create a breeze that sweeps through the apartment. I also have a big tower fan that I can use to direct the bulk of the fumes out the giant window.

amytyl · Post by **amytyl** » Wed May 10, 2017 11:07 am

Don't try to melt it, that will make a mess. Soak it in mineral oil, then heat it to 240° F with a heat gun. If it smokes it's too hot. It will be soft enough to form until it cools to about 160° F. I don't need to tell you to be careful not to burn yourself, of course. Good luck!

dullahan · Post by **dullahan** » Wed May 10, 2017 11:15 am

amytyl wrote:Don't try to melt it, that will make a mess. Soak it in mineral oil, then heat it to 240° F with a heat gun. If it smokes it's too hot. It will be soft enough to form until it cools to about 160° F. I don't need to tell you to be careful not to burn yourself, of course. Good luck!

Thanks! Just the info I wanted to know. Temperatures that low also give a lot of options as to what to use as a mould.

abracadabra · Post by **abracadabra** » Wed May 10, 2017 11:19 am

ok I can help, but I'm on my first cup of coffee this morning. give me a few and I will share what I have had success with

dullahan · Post by **dullahan** » Wed May 10, 2017 11:31 am

abracadabra wrote:ok I can help, but I'm on my first cup of coffee this morning. give me a few and I will share what I have had success with

Yeah it's best to drink coffee first before doing anything. I'm the same way. I'd be glad to hear your thoughts when you've got your day going. Thanks in advance!

abracadabra · Post by **abracadabra** » Wed May 10, 2017 11:38 am

ok let's talk about mold making materials. for what your wanting to do a clay mold ,or plaster of paris would work. what will be your casting model? are you duplicating an existing one,?

dullahan · Post by **dullahan** » Wed May 10, 2017 11:50 am

abracadabra wrote:ok let's talk about mold making materials. for what your wanting to do a clay mold ,or plaster of paris would work. what will be your casting model? are you duplicating an existing one,?

I was thinking of just sculpting one by hand. Clay would probably be easier for me to handle. I have a fabric doll that has some sort of fabric nipples. I'd be trying to make an areola and nipple that could be put on top of that so it's non-damaging but tight enough of a fit to stay on.

For this I need to make a "hole in the middle" to the mold so the doll's nipple would go inside the TPE nipple.

Picture:

: Screenshot 2017-05-10 18.48.18.png (245.43 KiB) Viewed 1842 times

abracadabra · Post by **abracadabra** » Wed May 10, 2017 12:01 pm

ok, I used a deep fryer to melt my tpe. in a laboratory flask, I've done several castings of various body parts.the level of success depends on a few things. but here's a pic that shows some of what I've done. apparently I deleted some others.
If you look at the breast there's a ring about half way around the casting that is from two separate pours what you would call a cold joint

abracadabra · Post by **abracadabra** » Wed May 10, 2017 12:04 pm

tpe Bonds with fabric very easily, and it's next to impossible to remove from once it's made its way into the fabric.

dullahan · Post by **dullahan** » Wed May 10, 2017 12:10 pm

Wow that is a nice result for a DIY project! Deep fryer and a laboratory-grade flask is an interesting idea.

What material is the mould made of?

dullahan · Post by **dullahan** » Wed May 10, 2017 12:12 pm

abracadabra wrote:tpe Bonds with fabric very easily, and it's next to impossible to remove from once it's made its way into the fabric.

Oh yeah, hadn't thought of that. Maybe I should just give up and buy some silicone areolas. Then modify them a little bit to make them work. Though the TPE inserts seem to be working just fine with a fabric doll.

abracadabra · Post by **abracadabra** » Wed May 10, 2017 12:16 pm

it's plaster, it comes in a roll, and can be bought at most hobby stores. but for your size project I don't think you would need that much. make your clay nipple, and in a small dish pour some plaster of paris and place your clay nip on top and alow to cure.
remove model nip and and allow any excess moisture to dry from your mold and then you're ready to cast

abracadabra · Post by **abracadabra** » Wed May 10, 2017 12:21 pm

Using a silicone nipple for your model nipple might be cool too.
With such a small amount of material for the project you're working on I think it will boil down to personal preference I personally preferred tpe feel over silicone

abracadabra · Post by **abracadabra** » Wed May 10, 2017 12:24 pm

I'll be honest none of it's an easy process especially if you're going for precise detail. I do special effects at a haunted house here locally on a volunteer basis and so I have experience and exposure to Casting and molding and working with the tpe is new to me, alot of trial and error

abracadabra · Post by **abracadabra** » Wed May 10, 2017 12:39 pm

the fryer and flask works rather well. I turn the temp to 350, the flask keeps a rather even heat, stirring frequently helps for an even melt. the material cools and solidifies quickly, I've had it literally solidify in the middle of a pour. get it too hot and it really becomes noxious. You will definitely know when it's burning as it has a unique smell of its own that tells the brain that something is not right