Finding the right liquid silicone rubber for mold making is key to achieving precise details, easy release, and durable molds. This guide highlights five top options that balance clarity, flexibility, cure speed, and user-friendly mixing. Each product below is designed for resin, plaster, candle, and craft molds, with varying volumes and hardness to suit beginners and seasoned makers alike.
The table below summarizes the five selected products, including volume, hardness, and ideal use cases to help you compare at a glance.
| Product | Brand | Volume | Hardness | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LET’S RESIN Silicone Mold Making Kit Liquid Silicone Rubber 140oz/1 Gallon | LET’S RESIN | 140 oz | Not specified (platinum cured, clear and flexible) | Large molds, repeat casting |
| LET’S RESIN Silicone Mold Making Kit – Translucent 20.46oz | LET’S RESIN | 20.46 oz | Not specified (platinum cured, clear) | Intermediate projects, detailed molds |
| BBDINO Super Elastic Silicone Mold Making Kit 70.56 Oz | BBDINO | 70.56 oz | Not specified (low viscosity, flexible) | Versatile casting with resins, plaster, candles |
| SHORE RESIN 66oz Silicone Mold Making Kit | SHORE RESIN | 66 oz | 15A (Medium hardness) | Detail transfer, durable molds |
| MITINU Silicone Mold Making Kit 38.8oz | MITINU | 38.8 oz | 15A | Balanced detail and flexibility, beginner to advanced |
Explore the details below to understand how each option performs in real-world mold making, including mix ratios, working times, cure times, and notable design considerations.
LET’S RESIN 140oz Liquid Silicone Rubber Kit
This platinum-cured silicone is marketed as a premium molds making material designed for clear, flexible molds. The liquid silicone rubber is described as non-toxic with low odor, offering high clarity and soft, flexible properties suitable for capturing fine resin details. The kit uses a 1:1 by weight mix ratio (Part A and Part B) and provides a short 5-minute working time at room temperature. Bubbles are said to dissipate within about two hours without vacuum degassing. Complete cure typically occurs in 6–12 hours, depending on mold size and thickness. If the surface feels slightly sticky, extending cure time is advised.
Key considerations:
– 1:1 mix ratio by weight
– Quick initial working time; useful for larger molds after planning
– No vacuum degassing required, bubbles dissipate on their own
– Clear, translucent formulation for visibility of mold details
– Suitable for resin, plaster, and other casting materials
LET’S RESIN 20.46oz Translucent Silicone Rubber Kit
This kit also features platinum-cured silicone with a clear, flexible finish, enabling detailed replica molds. It uses the same 1:1 by weight mixing scheme, with a working window around 5 minutes and a cure time of roughly 4 hours under typical room conditions. Bubble removal happens automatically within about 2 hours, eliminating the need for vacuum degassing. The kit is described as beginner-friendly with straightforward mixing and pouring steps, and it’s compatible with mica powder for color customization if desired.
Key considerations:
– 1:1 mixing, user-friendly for newcomers
– Moderate cure time suitable for iterative work
– Clear, flexible material with good detail capture
– Works with color additives for custom molds
BBDINO 70.56 Oz Liquid Silicone Mold Kit
BBDINO’s kit emphasizes a 1:1 by volume ratio with a self-degassing capability, designed to minimize manual degassing. It comes with additional accessories such as gloves and wooden sticks, improving beginner usability. The low-viscosity formula helps air bubbles rise and escape, supporting easy pourability and better detail retention. Working time is around 30 minutes, with a full cure of about 4 hours at room temperature. The product notes that results are strong and flexible, suitable for a range of casting projects including resin, plaster, and candles.
Key considerations:
– 1:1 by volume ratio; beginner-friendly
– Self-degassing formula minimizes bubbles
– 30-minute working time; 4-hour cure
– Includes basic tool kit for immediate use
SHORE RESIN 66oz Silicone Mold Kit
SHORE RESIN offers a 66-ounce kit featuring a 15A hardness platinum silicone rubber, balancing flexibility with stiffness for durable molds. This Bay-style formulation is designed for fine detail capture and repeated use, ideal for resin casts and craft projects that demand longer mold life. The kit uses a 1:1 ratio by weight and emphasizes simplicity in mixing and degassing, enabling efficient production without heavy equipment. The medium hardness makes it suitable for both intricate and larger molds while maintaining tear resistance.
Key considerations:
– 15A hardness for durable yet flexible molds
– 1:1 mixing; straightforward for both beginners and pros
– Good balance of detail retention and mold longevity
– Suitable for repeated resin casting
MITINU 38.8oz Silicone Mold Kit
MITINU presents a compact kit with 38.8 ounces of liquid silicone and a 1:1 mixing ratio. The formulation uses platinum-cured silicone rated at 15A hardness, delivering a favorable balance of flexibility and shape retention for detailed molds. The kit includes basic mixing tools and gloves, offering a convenient setup for mold making at home. With a working time around 40 minutes and a cure window of 2–4 hours at room temperature, it suits a range of resin, candle, soap, and small crafts molds.
Key considerations:
– 1:1 by weight; easy to measure
– 15A hardness provides good detail and durability
– Moderate working and curing times suitable for iterative projects
– All-in-one kit approach with essential accessories
Buying Guide: Key Purchase Considerations And Comparisons
When selecting liquid silicone rubber for mold making, consider the following factors to align with your project needs:
- Mixing ratio and working time: Most kits use a 1:1 ratio. Shorter working times require faster planning and faster demolding, while longer times give more margin for complex molds.
- cure time and temperature: Room temperature cures widely vary from 2–4 hours to 6–12 hours depending on the formula and mold size. Store environment temperature can shorten or extend cure time.
- Hardness and flexibility: Hardness around 10A–15A provides a mix of detail capture and durability. Softer silicones (below 10A) can capture fine details but may wear faster; harder silicones resist tearing but might be less forgiving for intricate undercuts.
- Bubble control: Some formulations claim self-degassing or bubble-free behavior, reducing the need for vacuum equipment. For very detailed molds or complex geometries, a vacuum chamber may still help.
- Volume and scalability: Large-volume kits (e.g., 66 oz to 140 oz) are cost-effective for multiple molds but require more storage space. Smaller kits suit hobbyists working on frequent, smaller molds.
- Color customization: Translucent silicones can be dyed with mica or pigment powders to differentiate molds or enhance visual effects during casting.
- Included accessories: Some kits include gloves, mixing sticks, and manuals, which can simplify getting started for beginners.
- Intended applications: Confirm compatibility with your primary casting materials (resin, plaster, candle wax, soaps, concrete) and molds you plan to produce.
In practice, users typically select higher-volume kits for ongoing projects and kits with medium hardness for versatility and easy demolding. Beginners often prefer kits with simple 1:1 mixing, longer working times, and dependable bubble management. For experienced mold makers focusing on detail-rich pieces, a firmer platinum silicone with strong tear resistance offers longer mold life and repeated uses.