I have a wax figure I want to cast into metal, what material do I use to coat is with?

Question

I took a class a long time ago and we made wax figures then coated it in what I think was Silica and water? We kept on putting layer after layer onto the wax then melted the wax out. We then had a perfect copy mold to pour metal into. Anyone know what that white stuff is or where I can get it?

Answer 1

Unless you think this is going to be a constant project for you - ie: not one or a few items - I suggest you let the professionals do it for you.  

There are so many material issues and refined skill and experience and quality equipment you should have to do this without risk of hurting yourself or your project.

Decide what material that you want to cast (bronze, resin, lava) and get a foundry who does it for you.

It's a bit expensive, but will give you the best professional looking project without major investments in time, body and materials

Answer 2

you used ceramic shell. Which is slurry (colloidal silica) which is then coated with sand of various grit, left to dry and the process repeated until a thick enough coat is created. If not frequently agitated slurry will set and become hard. So left to itself it will spoil fairly quickly. You also must wear a good dustmask, better a respirator, otherwise you risk silicosis down the line.

What kind of burnout facilities do you have? It's easier and quicker to do a plaster/sand investment, but you have to burnout much longer. Don't know where you buy slurry, but if you search ceramic shell supply you should find some companies, one example link below.

I would suggest you ask an art foundry if you can use their facilities. Check your local yellow pages for one. You probably will get better results and you won't have to worry to maintain the slurry in a workable condition.

They also cast your figure for you. A least some art foundries allow sculptors to do part of the work and charge a lower price for castings than if they do everything for you. They will also check your spruing system, for if your do this wrong you cast may not come out. And you have your spruing system set up before you invest it. And for ceramic shell it has to be extra sturdy.

Answer 3

You were doing casting and you were using an investment.

You would probably want to check with a foundry to do the casting part.

Here is a link to Ransom & Randolph.  They manufacture investment materials

http://www.ransom-randolph.com/

Answer 4

um im going to be honest ive never dont it before but ive made wax figures!!!!

So i did a little research and i narrowed my search results down to 1 site it looks really helpful for what ur trying to do with your figure!!!!

So here it is!

http://www.castofcharacters.com/lostwax....

I really hope i helped!!!