So many seemingly unrelated questions!
So. I have plans to (eventually) cast my own silicone pawpads. At the moment I am using Oogoo, which is honestly quite serviceable if not low tech. However, in the future I would like to make more respectable pads for sale.
Questions!
What kind of platinum-cure silicone would be the best choice for making pawpads? I know SmoothOn has a great variety, as well as BITY, but which of their many, many options would be the most suitable for the wear and tear a pair of pawpads, especially footpaws, would be subjected to? I would imagine it would have to be stiffer than what would be used for handpaws and noses, yes? Or does it honestly not matter?
Now, Oogoo. The stuff is cheap and easy to make (if horribly fumy- GET A RESPIRATOR NO JOKE), and takes dyes wonderfully, but I've noticed that my older pieces tend to become very, very stiff. Is this just part of the curing of Oogoo? I tend to use a 2:1 ratio of cornstarch to silicone, and a splash of paint thinner to help things become more spreadable. It's not really a problem for footpads, but I'm not sure how it'll work for handpads.
So. I have plans to (eventually) cast my own silicone pawpads. At the moment I am using Oogoo, which is honestly quite serviceable if not low tech. However, in the future I would like to make more respectable pads for sale.
Questions!
What kind of platinum-cure silicone would be the best choice for making pawpads? I know SmoothOn has a great variety, as well as BITY, but which of their many, many options would be the most suitable for the wear and tear a pair of pawpads, especially footpaws, would be subjected to? I would imagine it would have to be stiffer than what would be used for handpaws and noses, yes? Or does it honestly not matter?
Now, Oogoo. The stuff is cheap and easy to make (if horribly fumy- GET A RESPIRATOR NO JOKE), and takes dyes wonderfully, but I've noticed that my older pieces tend to become very, very stiff. Is this just part of the curing of Oogoo? I tend to use a 2:1 ratio of cornstarch to silicone, and a splash of paint thinner to help things become more spreadable. It's not really a problem for footpads, but I'm not sure how it'll work for handpads.