How to harden Epoxy clay in 5 Minutes

[Gerald_PP]

Hello guys!

After a little bit of research I found out some forums talking about the fact that heating the epoxy clay could potencially accelerate the curing process of epoxy clay (Apoxie Sculpt, Magic Sculpt, Milliput, Green Stuff, ProCreate, etc). That was a huge deal for me, because before this discovery, I was sculpting my miniatures and having them sit for a day in order to have them hard and ready.

Then, (I kind of) confirmed this on youtube, seeing Boring Simiano (Boris Woloszyn) videos on how to sculpt miniatures. The truth is, you can not only accelerate the process, but also make it in just 5 minutes!

Here is a little video after my discovery, putting this mith to test. (I also found out that in order to have the propper setting for your sculpting workshop, you might need a "Clay Oven". If you see the video you might be able to follow the link on how to build it!).

Enjoy!

 

[1969]

I normally use a 60watt (incandescent) bulb in a flexible lamp to speed cure my Magicsculp, can be used for all apoxy putties, I have been doing that for years and takes minutes to cure so no hold up with sculpting, I use a ceramic wall tile to place the work on then position bulb about 4-6 inches away for about 5 minutes.
Warning regarding greenstuff it can burn and melt when using this method with too much heat, found that out the hard way.

Steve

 

[rossbach]

I am a 60 watt lamp man too. I use Aves A & B putty and it works perfect on metal figures. I use the same technique for accelerate driying oil paint. I don't have an 'oven' but use an Ikea lamp and place the figure underneath. With some pigments and the use of mediums its possible to reduce the drying time of oils to soemwhere between 1 - 2 hours. Also depending on the amount of heat of course ( 60 - 100 -120 watt bulbs)

 

[Gerald_PP]

Wonderfull!
To me it was kind of a mith. I didn't have that as a fact. Once, before, I tried to harden epoxy with a conventional oven, and the putty got burned.

It is always a pleasure to see things working from ourselves experimentating. And for those who still have the doubt, it is totally doable.

 

[Andreas K.]

No doubt at all , it works . Sometimes i do it too .
Andreas

 

[1969]

For me at the moment being as it is winter and the heating is on when sculpting with magicscup I just pop the piece on top of the radiator for about 15 minutes to speed harden the putty.

 

[hypertex]

Has anyone ever had any problems with the putty cracking after applying heat? I know with polymer clays, you can sometime get cracks and splits if you heat or cool too fast. I was just wondering if the same precautions apply to heating your epoxy putty.

 

[Gerald_PP]

Has anyone ever had any problems with the putty cracking after applying heat? I know with polymer clays, you can sometime get cracks and splits if you heat or cool too fast. I was just wondering if the same precautions apply to heating your epoxy putty.

Polimer clay is always trickier when it comes to baking. Because the baking time depends on how thick your figure is. With putty oven I have never had problems with epoxy clay, but haven't tried polimer clay still.

 

[1969]

Has anyone ever had any problems with the putty cracking after applying heat? I know with polymer clays, you can sometime get cracks and splits if you heat or cool too fast. I was just wondering if the same precautions apply to heating your epoxy putty.

No issues with cracking when using heat with epoxy putties including magicsculp, milliput, aves etc.

 

[Wayneb]

Interesting post...I use Aves, Magicsculpt and Milliput.....They all have their place...but as far as the quick cure goes; that has it's place also. There are times when I'm glad the putty is still workable when I get a brain fart and there is still time to make an adjustment. To each his own I guess......The moral of the story is "too many brain farts make for stink'n think'n".

 

[martin tabony]

I use a 100 watt lamp over a metal plate to cure milliput. Also if you've mixed a bit too much, you can slow down the cure by sticking it in the freezer.

Martin

 

[Gerald_PP]

That's an interestin theory you brought there Martin.

I think this whole matter of making the clay cure faster depends on your technique and how your sculpting workflow is.

Me myself like to work in ridiculous small bits, and whenever I am 100% sure of what I've done, I put it in the oven. If then, I want to change the direction I was going, I do it by sanding out with a hobby file the area I need to modify.

Weyneb is totally right, sometimes is good not to have it totally cured, but that goes along your sculpting style.

-------------------------------------------

On other news, I did an upgrade to the putty oven:

I replace the light bulb with a ceramic heater. You can get those on pet shops. They are use to keep reptiles warm. Here are some pictures. I am still trying to identify if it really is an upgrade or just something I can live without.

Pros:
-It concentrates directionally the heat, so the figure will receive it, not the hood of my oven.
- Having the heat in one place, small plastic parts don't have the risk of melting (my rocker switch and wires)
- You are using less power consumption because now you don't have light + heat, just heat.

Cons:
-Takes around 3 minutes to get the a stable temperature.
- Even if the heater is 100w it will heat like a 40w bulb