FAQ
Is moulding easy?
Yes!
Moulding ornaments with our home craft moulds is very simple. You’ll be amazed how you can create such beautiful pieces and valuable stock so easily. Essentially, all you have to know is how to mix cement or plaster, pour it into a mould, leave it to set, and then peel off the mould. It’s that easy!
A simple step by step guide is available from us on ornament making. We are also available to answer any questions on manufacturing techniques. With the good quality and tidy finishings, our moulds are easier than most to prepare for pouring. This also saves you production time, so you can really start pumping out the ornaments! This sets moulds.co.nz apart from its competitors. Many mould manufacturers produce rubber moulds that do not even come with outer casings. Instead, they advise that you support them in a trough of sawdust or similar!
Will I be able to get raw materials?
Yes, without a doubt. The main fillers for the moulds are common sand, cement and plaster, which are readily available worldwide. Specialty finishing materials should be available locally (e.g., hardware stores, paint stores, cement suppliers, etc).
What are the moulds made of?
All our moulds are made from latex rubber with an outer supporting case of fibreglass. We use latex as it is stretchable, strong and reproduces designs for concrete use extremely well. The outer casing, which supports the rubber liner, is made from strong and durable fibreglass. The fibreglass case is held together by a series of bolts and wing nuts.
Sometimes the mould may be made from fibreglass only, meaning that the casing works as the mould into which you pour the cement. We use moulds like this only if the ornament design is a very simple form and if we believe the ornament will come out looking better that way.
How long do the moulds last?
Your moulds should last you a very long time and you should get many castings (ornaments) from them. We will tell you how to care for your moulds with a list of dos and don’ts. With moulds.co.nz, you start off with Grade A moulds. Our moulds are carefully checked for quality when coming off the production line, and you will never have to work with an inferior product. We pride ourselves on our quality and mould-making ability.
How do I get special finishes on the ornaments?
Simple painting is often enough to produce a great looking home or garden ornament. For the more ambitious, there are many publications available online, in book stores, in libraries and in craft shops to give you advice and ideas on other techniques for finishing your ornaments. Local cement suppliers are also often able to provide advice.
