There are really only two ways to get foam latex into the mold: pouring it in or injecting it into the negative mold. For molds that are no larger than a face, pouring works very well. If there are deep areas in the mold, such as a long nose for the character of Cyrano de […]

Foam can be run in a variety of molds, including Ultracal to fiberglass. Ultracal is porous, so it needs to be properly sealed and released to prevent the foam latex from adhering to the mold. Every bit as important as sealing and releasing the mold is making certain that there is no moisture left in […]

A typical batch of foam latex consists of 150 grams of high-grade latex base, 30 grams of foaming agent, 15 grams of curing agent, and 14 grams of gelling agent. There are other ingredients and quantities that can be added for different foam characteristics, but this is a good place to begin. As I mentioned, […]

I love foam latex! As a material for making prosthetic appliances for special makeup effects, foam latex is, in my opinion, unrivaled for performer comfort. Materials such as silicone might mimic the appearance and feel of human skin more believ­ably and realistically, but silicone does not breathe, and an active actor wearing sili­cone appliances will […]

1. Allow the mold to slowly cool enough to handle (90-100°F) —if the mold is gypsum, it may crack if cooled too quickly—and carefully demold the appliance. 2. Wash off any release residue and trim the injection and bleeder sprues. 3. Cover the trimmed sprue points with fresh encapsulator material and allow it to cure. […]

The hand-fill method for making a GFA is similar to the injection method, though the injection hole and vent hole are not necessary. 1. Release the mold sections the same way you would if you were going to inject the silicone. Make sure the release is completely dried before the next step. 2. Brush or […]

To inject silicone into your mold, at least two holes must be drilled in the mold positive: one to inject silicone through and the other to allow air to escape as the mold fills. The syringe for injecting the silicone should be made of polyethylene or polypropylene and should not have a latex rubber end […]

Prepping the mold is the first order of business. Depending on how long it’s been since the mold was made, it might need to be cleaned again to ensure that no contaminants such as dust and stray hairs have found their way onto the negative surfaces of the mold interior. Once the mold pieces are […]

If you’ve every held a silicone breast implant in your hand (pre-implantation), you know how soft and squishy they are, or can be. Squeeze your cheeks (gently) or feel your (or someone’s) love handles. . . that’s the consistency and softness a gel-filled appliance (GFA) should have. The best GFAs are made with a gel […]