Wax Mold Prop Hands

[dionicia]

Hello everyone.

If your like me, you like to have detail in some of your props. One set of props I'm working on right now had the need for a few pairs of hands.

I checked out the prices for mannequin and latex hands and about fell out of my chair as the price would have cost about as much as I already put into the other parts of the prop. I then looked into the cost of using a disposable mold for hands and not only did the price shock me but the fact that it was a single use product.

This was when the haunter (aka cheapo) in me went to work. I started thinking of the different ways to make a mold of hands when it dawned on me, wax.

Now there was some trial and error in this as I found paraffin wax for those hand baths wouldn't cut it (wax was way to soft). However, candle wax was perfect and reusable.

After several attempts, setbacks, advances, failures, successes and cha chas, I am able to bring to my fellow haunters a way for everyone to make a cheap and reusable hand mold for your props.

Supplies:

-Lotion or Vaseline to help keep the wax from sticking to your hands
-4 pound block of candle wax
-Metal pot or bowl to melt the wax
-Pot a third of the way full of water for the pot or bowl with the wax to sit in while the wax melts. Basically a double boiler.
-Buck or bowl of ice water
-1/2 piece of pvc pipe, wire, or stick to use to attach the hand to the prop (optional, but still recommended)
-Plaster of Paris or Hyrdocal (lightweight plaster)
-A cup or something to hold the wax mold so the plaster can set up.

Pictures to follow...

[dionicia]

First a warning. This has the potential to burn you. Please ask any questions you need to before starting this project as you undertake this project at your own risk.

Now that you have accepted your fate, you will want to set up the double boiler with the wax and start melting it on medium high (you may need to set it higher depending on how fast you want the wax to melt) on the oven cook top (unless you have something else that can melt the wax) and then turn it down low enough where the wax doesn't start to solidify. This is the time you will want to apply the lotion and then place your hand in the bowl or bucket of ice water for 10 to 15 seconds. You will then dip your hand once quickly in the wax in the position you want it to be molded and immediately return it to the ice water to cool. Continue alternating from the wax to the ice water 10 or so times depending on how thick you want the mold.

[dionicia]

Once you have the desired amount of wax on your mold, dip it in the ice water to solidify the wax so that you can remove your hand without breaking the mold. You may find the water will work it's way into the mold around your hand which is OK as it will help with removing the mold. Once it feel firm, start wiggling your hand out of the mold until your hand is free. Take the mold and dip the wrist part of the mold in the wax to strengthen the top. You can then put the mold in the ice water or the refrigerator to further solidify.

[dionicia]

Once your mold is solid, you can use it to mold a hand. Place the mold in a cup or something else to hold the mold upright and pour in the Plaster of Paris or Hydrocal. Tap the cup lightly on a hard surface to remove any bubbles and then let it dry at least 24 hours before trying to remove the wax mold.If you need help with removing the mold, you can score the sides lightly with a exacto blade or butter knife (be careful not to go too deep as it will cut into the plaster).

[dionicia]

Have another warm pot of water on hand to dip the mold into to loosen the wax from the plaster. The wax should then just peel right off. Set them in a safe place to dry for another 24 hours and then decorate them to your hearts content. You will then have a pair of hands you can attach to your prop. Enjoy

[IMU]

Yea ... your hands are everywhere now! Thanks for posting this.

[dionicia]

Just wait to see how the latex ones turn out.

[Jaybo]

Have you tried using Amaco Flexwax?



It's a reuseable wax that melts at low temps, so less chance of burning yourself. It costs about $40 for a 5lb block, but remember you can reuse the material.

DeadSpider uses it to make her prop hands.

[dionicia]

The flex wax looks cool, but it's double the cost of regular candle wax if you bought it at the regular price of $20 (but of course I use a coupon). The frugal haunter that I am needs to watch the purse strings to avoid spending too much coinage.

Thank you for mentioning this though.

[dionicia]

I found that Strong Cast really works well with this project. It's very durable and doesn't break as easily as the plaster does.