URE-FIL™ 5
Smooth-On URE-FIL™ fillers disperse easily in Smooth-On materials. They can be added to materials in different proportions to achieve a variety of working properties and effects. Some fillers are designed for cost-savings, others are designed for specific casting effects or improved physical properties. Other URE-FIL™ fillers are designed specifically for thickening materials for brush-on or trowelable application.
URE-FIL™ 5 is your best choice for creating a wood grain effect. Note: your mold must reflect the wood grain pattern of the original model. Mix 1 part filler with 1A:1B of Smooth-Cast™ 320 resin and cast into mold. After demold, apply wood stain or shoe polish to casting surface to bring out wood grain effect.
Gallery
Original wood carving next to Smooth-Cast® 325 casting with URE-FIL® 5.
Piece of driftwood is molded and cast with Smooth-Cast® 325 plastic using URE-FIL® 5 to achieve a wood effect.
Smooth-Cast® 325 casting with URE-FIL® 5 reproduces fine wood texture.
Instructions
URE-FIL™ fillers must be thoroughly dispersed in liquid rubber or resin to a uniform consistency. When adding large concentrations of filler, it is recommended to add the filler to completely mixed rubber or resin - combine both parts A and B of rubber or resin, mix throughly, then add filler. Mix the filler in and confirm that there are no lumps of filler present. Often, employing the ‘double-mix and pour’ technique can produce better results.
Guarding Against Moisture - All powder fillers will absorb atmospheric moisture over time which will react with urethane materials. If you experience bubbling or foaming in your resin/filler mix, your filler probably contains moisture.
Remedy: Line a cookie sheet with foil and spread filler evenly over the cookie sheet at 3/8”-1/2” thickness (0.95 cm-1.25 cm). Place in an oven on warm setting (150°F / 60°C) and bake for 4 hours. Remove cookie sheet from oven (don’t burn yourself!). Let filler cool to room temperature before mixing with urethane materials.
Storage - To prevent moisture absorption, use filler as quickly as possible after purchasing. Decant filler from container and replace lid immediately...do not leave container opened for more than a minute. If filler will be stored for prolonged periods, obtain dessicant pouches at your local hobby/arts and crafts store and place one or two dessicant pouches in container. Replace used dessicant pouches every other time you open container. Make sure container lid is secure before storing.
Related Categories: Urethane Resins, Colorants, Paints & Fillers
Related Series: URE-FIL™ – Powder Fillers, Urethane Resin Accessories – Take Your Urethane Resin Further
How-To Articles
Creating Realistic Wood Replications Using Smooth-Cast™ 320 Resin and URE-FIL™ 5
Milo shows how to cast resin duplicates of wooden models
Moldmaking and Casting For a Woodgrain Finish
In this how-to, Smooth-Cast® 320 resin is cast in a Dragon Skin® silicone mold to reproduce woodgrain