DIY Level Up: Beginner's Guide to Making Molds with Food-Grade Platinum AB Silicone

Compared to traditional industrial tin-cure silicone (which smells pungent and requires complex catalysts), Platinum Cure Silicone (Addition Cure) is the modern gold standard. It is eco-friendly, odorless, resists aging, and cures with a simple 1:1 mix. Here is YiKe Studio’s guide to avoiding common mistakes.
1. Preparation: Beware of "Cure Inhibition"
Platinum silicone is chemically sensitive. If it touches heavy metals, sulfur, tin, or amines, it will not cure (leaving a sticky mess).
• Danger Zones: SLA/DLP 3D printed resin models (must be sealed!), sulfur-based sculpting clay, or un-dried super glue.
• YiKe Advice: If your prototype is a UV resin 3D print, wash it thoroughly and spray it with a high-quality primer/sealer. Let it off-gas for 24 hours before molding.
2. Precision Ratio: Weight > Volume
YiKe Studio’s platinum silicone is designed for a 1:1 mix ratio.
• Action: Always use a digital scale, not measuring cups. Component A and Component B may have slightly different densities.
• Tolerance: Keep errors within 1%. Poor mixing leads to soft spots or tear-prone molds.
3. Mixing: The "Double Cup" Method
• Technique: Mix Part A and B vigorously for 2-3 minutes, scraping the sides and bottom of the cup.
• The Trick: Pour the mixed silicone into a second, clean cup and mix for another minute. This ensures that unmixed material clinging to the walls of the first cup doesn't get poured into your mold.
4. Pouring Technique: The High Stream
• Action: Do not dump the silicone directly onto your object!
• Correct Method: Pick the lowest corner of your mold box. Hold the cup high to create a thin, stretched stream of silicone. Let the silicone flow like water, slowly rising up and around your object. This pushes air out naturally and prevents bubbles from getting trapped in the details.
Conclusion: Mold making is an art of patience. By using YiKe Studio’s premium platinum silicone and following these steps, your first mold will be a success you can be proud of.