casting tires

[Lownslow]

ive used smooth on 45d with mild results im hoping theres something better that doesnt take 2 days to cure anyone got ideas?

[impcon]

I'm getting ready to make a 13" 5.20 in black flexible resin with a snap in white wall. My suggestion would be to call Don Holthaus , at Modelhaus. I asked him last year what he uses put I can't remember what it was. Maybe place a small order to show him some interest in he's products. He makes the best replacement chrome for kits. Just a suggestion.

Don makes just about the best with everything that he produces!! I just received my second batch of replacement bumpers and trim for some old annuals and the pieces are simply spectacular - as good as original if not better!!!!!!!!! I have several of his resin bodies too and they are as good or better than anyone elses!! No complaints from me on anything that I have received to date. I'm grateful that we have him and others like him to supply us with our needs.

[cnaind]

ive used smooth on 45d with mild results im hoping theres something better that doesnt take 2 days to cure anyone got ideas?

I use Alumilite flex for my stuff & it comes out pretty good. You can de-mold in a couple hours.

[george 53]

I use Alumilite flex for my stuff & it comes out pretty good. You can de-mold in a couple hours.

An this ol boy KNOWS of which he speaketh!

[Monty]

I use Alumilite flex for my stuff & it comes out pretty good. You can de-mold in a couple hours.

Al, what do you recommend as a black dye for Alumilite flex? A friend of mine is trying to make his own semi tires, but he's convinced that the dye MicroMark recommends is screwing up the process. (Non-dyed castings turn out fine).

[jeffb]

ive used alumilite dyes i got from hobby lobby in smooth on resin and it works pretty well, and theyre cheap tooo

[cnaind]

Al, what do you recommend as a black dye for Alumilite flex? A friend of mine is trying to make his own semi tires, but he's convinced that the dye MicroMark recommends is screwing up the process. (Non-dyed castings turn out fine).

I only use Alumilite dye with their resin/rubber. Mixing 2 different brands is hit or miss as far as the results go based on my experience. The black is very dense so you don't have to use very much.

Hope this helps

[jeffb]

als right.. the dyes go a long long way. i use the red in my taillites and it only takes a very small drop to tint them. a large drop, and the clear resin wont cure to complete hardness.

[crazyjim]

Jeff - I have a Smooth-On starter kit. What resin & dye do you use to make taillights? Are they translucent? I'd like to try '59 Caddy lights. This molding and casting stuff is all new to me.

[jeffb]

i use smooth on 202 clear and sm's red dye. the amount of dye afects the translucent-ness(?). too much red in the clear will cause it not to cure fully.if you put the dye in the resin, it just changes the color but not the hardness

[crazyjim]

I was looking at the Smooth-On 202 clear but the Smooth-On rep told me it's for industrial use only. Maybe Aluminite has something.

[jeffb]

not very industrious here.. works well for me

[crazyjim]

Looks like Smooth-On only sells the 202 in gallon size - way too much. Alumilite clear will work with Smooth-On molds (RTV) so I'm planning to buy some clear and red dye from Al Raab - Ma's Resin.

[jeffb]

i get 202 in a quart size

[RyanSilva]

"The engineer guy" carries the trial kit of 202 http://www.theengineerguy.com/cgi/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=CRYSTAL-CLEAR-202-TR

They are located in georgia, I use to buy from them all the time, till I found reynoldsam.com has a warehouse in boston, so my items get shipped ground..and actually arrives next day!

[Mark]

I use Alumilite flex for my stuff & it comes out pretty good. You can de-mold in a couple hours.

Which hardness? I'm guessing either 60 or 70, leaning towards 70

[cnaind]

Which hardness? I'm guessing either 60 or 70, leaning towards 70

I use 60 for most of my tires. Sometimes 70 & sometimes 40 depending on the geometry of the tire.