How To Use Dragon Skin™ Silicone to Reproduce Antlers
Overview
James Edgar of Authentic Taxidermy Supply is an experienced, award-winning taxidermist who knows all the tricks of the trade. From his years of industry experience as both a working taxidermist and a taxidermy educator, Edgar knows that accurately reproducing antlers is one of the most common yet often difficult tasks in the business. He has spent years refining his process, testing countless techniques and mold making materials in a search for the perfect reproduction.
Smooth-On's Dragon Skin™ is a high performance platinum cure silicone rubber that can be mixed 1A:1B by weight or volume and cures at room temperature with negligible shrinkage to a Shore 10A. Cured Dragon Skin™ is very soft, very strong, and very “stretchy”. It will stretch many times its original size without tearing and will rebound to its original form without distortion.
Complex antler specimens require a mold making material that is flexible and strong enough to be removed without tearing. James Edgar, and many other taxidermists around the world find Dragon Skin™ to be the perfect choice.
For more about Authentic Taxidermy Supply, including information about Edgar's own taxidermy school, visit their website at: www.authentictaxidermy.com
Materials Used in this Tutorial
- Ease Release 200
- Dragon Skin 10
- Silc Pig
- Plasti-Paste
- Universal Mold Release
- Mixing Sticks
- Mixing containers
- X-Acto Knife
- Drill
- Drywall Screws
- Smooth-Cast 300
Step 1: Applying Dragon Skin
Once the antlers have been secured to plywood, apply Ease Release® 200 to the antlers. Apply the first coat of Dragon Skin® in a thin layer to help prevent air bubbles. For the second coat, apply pigmented Dragon Skin® evenly over the first coat. Then, apply a final layer of Dragon Skin® that is also pigmented.
Step 2: Applying Clay Shim Walls and Plasti-Paste
Apply shims to provide separation of the sections of the mother mold. Apply the first section of the Plasti-Paste® mother mold. Use Universal Mold Release® to prevent the second part of the shell from sticking to the first. The final section of the Plasti-Paste® mother mold is completed. When fully cured, separate and remove the sections of the mother mold.
Step 3: Demolding and Casting Replica Piece
Then, cut the mold along one side. The super soft and stretchy Dragon Skin® silicone can then be pulled away from the antlers. Seat the rubber mold in the mother mold to prepare it for casting. Use drywall screws to tightly close the shell and secure it to the board. Mix and pour Smooth-Cast® 300 liquid plastic into the mold. The casting is an exact replica of the original antlers.
