Evil Eye Posted March 3 Share Posted March 3 I recently discovered a rather nifty tutorial on how to make pourable moulding silicone on a budget, using bathroom sealant/caulking silicone mixed naphtha to thin it out into a pourable consistency/quantity. I've seen this method used multiple times so I know it works. There is, however, a slight issue- from what I've seen over here in Merry England, naphtha is mostly used for lighter fluid and is not really obtainable in large quantities. I'm pretty sure you don't have to use naphtha, in fact the tutorial said as much, but just said "similar solvents and thinners will also work". Would white spirit do the trick? I know you can use IPA to smooth out the stuff (North of the Border does this for water effects) but as someone with a 3D printer I'd rather reserve my alcohol for print cleaning. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/382449-alternative-to-naphtha-for-thinning-silicone-yes-really/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Solution Guest Posted March 3 Solution Share Posted March 3 2 hours ago, Evil Eye said: I recently discovered a rather nifty tutorial on how to make pourable moulding silicone on a budget, using bathroom sealant/caulking silicone mixed naphtha to thin it out into a pourable consistency/quantity. I've seen this method used multiple times so I know it works. There is, however, a slight issue- from what I've seen over here in Merry England, naphtha is mostly used for lighter fluid and is not really obtainable in large quantities. I'm pretty sure you don't have to use naphtha, in fact the tutorial said as much, but just said "similar solvents and thinners will also work". Would white spirit do the trick? I know you can use IPA to smooth out the stuff (North of the Border does this for water effects) but as someone with a 3D printer I'd rather reserve my alcohol for print cleaning. How large of a quantity do you need? 2l Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/382449-alternative-to-naphtha-for-thinning-silicone-yes-really/#findComment-6026004 Share on other sites More sharing options...
sbarnby71 Posted March 3 Share Posted March 3 Can you post the link to the tutorial, be interesting to see how it works?. And also how much would you need based on a standard 310ml tube of sealant? Evil Eye 1 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/382449-alternative-to-naphtha-for-thinning-silicone-yes-really/#findComment-6026039 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evil Eye Posted March 3 Author Share Posted March 3 Well, damn! Thanks Arkley! Here's the tutorial- first half is on using cornstarch for quick low-detail pressmoulds, second half is what we're after. Aarik 1 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/382449-alternative-to-naphtha-for-thinning-silicone-yes-really/#findComment-6026074 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 3 Share Posted March 3 (edited) 36 minutes ago, Evil Eye said: Well, damn! Thanks Arkley! Glad to help man... I know the pain of the ISO supply LOL. Get it for £18 for 5l if you need some. Edited March 3 by Brother Captain Arkley Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/382449-alternative-to-naphtha-for-thinning-silicone-yes-really/#findComment-6026079 Share on other sites More sharing options...
sbarnby71 Posted March 5 Share Posted March 5 (edited) So what you need is something to smooth the silicone that will evaporate quickly so my guess would be rubbing alcohol would be cheaper and easier to buy in large quantities and should do the same, maybe even white vinegar would do it. Update: I tried it with rubbing alcohol and it went badly wrong! Tried again with White Spirit and it looks ok, will see once it's cured. Edited March 5 by sbarnby71 tinpact, Aarik, Firedrake Cordova and 1 other 4 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/382449-alternative-to-naphtha-for-thinning-silicone-yes-really/#findComment-6026335 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evil Eye Posted March 7 Author Share Posted March 7 Thanks for your experiments, fellow magos! Good to know, may go for white spirit as that is available incredibly cheaply. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/382449-alternative-to-naphtha-for-thinning-silicone-yes-really/#findComment-6026540 Share on other sites More sharing options...
sbarnby71 Posted March 8 Share Posted March 8 Friday update, it's still not set, I made the mould in a small 1.5cm across tub and my mixture is about 1cm deep. Aarik and Firedrake Cordova 2 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/382449-alternative-to-naphtha-for-thinning-silicone-yes-really/#findComment-6026754 Share on other sites More sharing options...
sbarnby71 Posted March 10 Share Posted March 10 Sunday update, still has not set. I can see thr appeal of a cheap way of doing this, but it's a no from me. I still have no idea if the test piece I used is going to be gummed up with silicone. Firedrake Cordova 1 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/382449-alternative-to-naphtha-for-thinning-silicone-yes-really/#findComment-6026997 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evil Eye Posted March 10 Author Share Posted March 10 Ah, that's a shame. I might try with the recommended thinner (naphtha) and try it out myself. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/382449-alternative-to-naphtha-for-thinning-silicone-yes-really/#findComment-6027011 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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