Help Needed

[Skydivermel]

All,

I've been trying to cast some snakeskin. The main issue is that using CA or Elmers turns the skin dark. See photos. The other issue is air bubbles. Even thou I'm pressure potting them at 50psi.

Any ideas?

 

[Paul hd]

Have you tried double sided sticky tape?

 

[Skydivermel]

Have you tried double sided sticky tape?

No, it's a thought thou.

 

[wm460]

Don't you use pressure to shrink the bubbles?

 

[Skydivermel]

Don't you use pressure to shrink the bubbles?

Yes In the pot at 50psi

 

[Penpal]

Some probs come from loose scales to be sure double check the skins.

Peter.

 

[wm460]

Yes In the pot at 50psi

I meant to say vacuum.

 

[Phil Dart]

Are you sure that the discolouration comes from the glue and not the resin?

 

[Skydivermel]

Are you sure that the discolouration comes from the glue and not the resin?

It's deffo the glue. The moment I put CA on to the skin (either front of back side) it turns dark. When using elmers on the backside it still turns dark.

I did think about using wallpaper paste or as someone else suggested double sided tape.

It's driving me mad.

 

[Phil Dart]

That implies then, that it's due to absorption. You could try sizing the back first, but actually I think that Paul has already solved the problem - you need to use double sided tape instead of glue. Next time you cast anything, put a wee offcut of the snakeskin in there somewhere where it won't matter to the blank, to see if the resin affects it without any glue.

 

[Skydivermel]

I seem to have solved the problem with the snakeskin.

I glued it to the tubes using pritt stick left it an hours to dry. I then coated the skins with modge podge again left for an hour to dry.

Mixed up a batch of resin and into the pot at 40psi. Result is perfectly clear resin and no discolouration of the skins.

Thanks to all for your input.