Page 3
1 2 3 4 5 6
Viscousity
Gravity Casting
Air Bubbles
Air Traps
Air Paths
Suction

Chapter 3: Go With The Flow
The physics of fluid behavior in lifecasting.

Air Bubbles Continued:
2. Mold Bubbles:
These are mixed into the ArtFORM™. They also appear as bumps on the final casting. However the only mold bubbles that really matter are the ones on the "skin" of the mold, right? The ones we can see, that can affect our work. These can be controlled.
These are minimized by correct BlendBag™ and/or wire whisk mixing. (Earthium(f/x)™ methods can eliminate virtually all mold bubbles.)
Remember, bubbles only go straight up from the bottom. Once they have all floated to the top, that's it, there are no more. There is not any little factory at the bottom of the can making more bubbles.
After squeezing the fluid ArtFORM™ into your container, jiggle it so the bubbles float to the top where you can pop them.
White:
This will take a little time and is only effective during the Working Time, before the ArtForm™ begins to set.
Another approach is to keep the model moving around in the fluid ArtForm™ until it begins to set. When it gets too thick for the bubbles to move any more, the model then holds still.
Mold bubbles can usually be "popped off" very easily right after unveiling the LifeCast™, while the cement is still soft.
Mold bubbles appear as bumps, identical to the Skin Bubbles described on the previous page.
3. Cast Bubbles.
These are mixed into the ArtCast™ and are actually surrounding each particle of the powder to begin with. That's why, if you sift the cement powder into a bucket of water a riot of bubbles appear on the surface.
Cast Bubbles appear as holes in the sculpture. But, like an iceberg the largest part of a cast bubble is below the surface as the illustration shows.
Again, the only ones we care about are on the surface between the skin and the mold, where they will show. Once all the bubbles from the bottom have floated up there are no more. They float straight up until something stops them, usually a lateral or horizontal area inside of your mold.
White
Correct soaking and mixing procedure will get rid of most cast bubbles before you even pour the fluid into the mold. Refer to the BODY PARTS™ kit instructions.
Make sure you tap and jiggle the mold thoroughly at each stage of the casting process (Gravity Casting above).
Cast bubbles can usually be filled easily with a drywall, spakeling paste right after unveiling your LifeCast™, while the cement is still wet. There are also several modern epoxy putties that work very well, even after the LifeCast™ has dried but, the color may not match and must be covered.
Copyright © 1987 through 2003 by MSWinn. Thank you for visiting www.lifecast.net!
ToP
1/18/03

LifeCast™ & MSW Creative Works Legal Information:

Contents of this web site (lifecast.net) and all life cast materials and other art and sculpture products or lifecast kit packaging, art techniques and sculpture instructions copyright © 1986-2002 by Mark S. Winn. All rights reserved. The terms BODY PARTS™, LifeCast™, ChildCast™, StudioPack™, ArtForm™, ArtCast™, Earthium™, Earthium(f/x)™, ShrinKast™, PolyART™, WaterTrap™, BlendBag™, Successful Creativity Guarantee™, LifeMask™, FastMask™ as well as the phrase "Make YourSelf Immortal!™" and any other art materials product or craft item denoted by a small 'TM' (such as in LifeCast™) are trademarks. The phrases life cast and life casting or the words lifecast and lifecasting are generic.
Our LifeCast™ products or other sculpture, mold making and art materials products are are entirely safe within the context of arts & crafts when used as directed. Other arts & crafts materials shown here each carry their own warnings and degrees of safety. They are available for use as creative mediums AT YOUR OWN RISK and since we cannot control the actual use of these art products, we disclaim any responsibility for damage or injury caused by incorrect or experimental life cast, sculpture, life mask, erotic art or other mold making or creative applications.
NOT FOR USE BY CHILDREN: These arts & crafts materials may be used with children of any age but should never be used by an unsupervised child. A "child" is defined by law as anyone under the age of 18 years. Our art, lifecast or sculpture product prohibitions against unsupervised use by children therefore applies to all persons under that age. "Supervised" by definition means at all times, through each step of any use of our life cast or other art materials. Such supervision must be by an adult over the age of 18 years while using the BODY PARTS™ LifeCast™ kits or other life cast, sculpture and art materials.
Our life cast, sculpture and other art materials should never be used by anyone who cannot read, understand and apply the language in which the lifecast, sculpture or art materials' instructions appear. The terms of said language are exclusively defined in any standard, widely accepted and comprehensive dictionary of that language and are meant to be construed in no other manner.
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