Trying to remember a release agent...

18 years ago

About ten years ago I ran across a small garden-ornament manufacturer, the release agent that was sprayed into the moulds was a mixture of (far as I remember) castor oil and glycerine. A small hand sprayer (like you'd use for misting plants) was used to apply the mix. Unfortunately, the place closed as the woman who ran it got ill, so I've no way of getting info from that source.

Does this ring any bells with anyone? I'd like to experiment with it, as misting the release agent into the mould is easier than painting it on.

Also, I'm wondering if the sugar in the mixture might act very slightly as a retarder on the surface, which would be helpful.

It's unusually cold here at the moment, miserable and raining, 5 degrees centigrade :( so I haven't been motivated to do any experimental work at all.

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Comments (12)

Running_Dog
Original Author
18 years ago
When searching on google for info about castor oil release agents I came across a link describing a specific release agent. One remark in the blurb really rang a bell
"Unsurpassed for eliminating bugholes even with superplasticized concrete." Years ago when I used to wet-cast, I didn't get any bug-holes. I didn't use a super-lasticiser because my brother (who is a concrete foreman) had warned me that they increase bubbles on the surface. In the meantime, reading up on casting, everyone else seems to recommend the use of a superplasticiser, so this time round I've been adding it to the mix.

And I've been getting a lot of bug-holes on the surface :(

I'll be slinging out the superplasticiser, and going back to my old ways - adding more cement than is normal in concrete, making a very liquid mix, vibrating well, and sponging the excess liquid off the surface when it rises.

Here is a link that might be useful: release agent
rhonda2006
18 years ago
I discovered the release agent last week. Can't remember how I found it. I even called them (toll free) and talked to the president of the company. They are so new that the only way you can order it is to call them. They are getting set up to order online in the future. I'm in Illinois, it was the first day of spring yesterday, right now I'm looking at 3 inches of snow with more coming. Eeeee gads!!!!!! So much for pouring concrete.
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If I'm really worried about release I line the mold with a plastic bag; I've used silicone spray or just brushed motor oil on the inside of molds (lion's faces, etc.), or just put some oil in the mold and swirled it around until I felt all the nooks and crannies were covered; then had no trouble with a release. I've had a devil of a time with some big items releasing even with the plastic bag until, like Dave, I got the idea of drilling a hole in the bottom and the thing practically shot out of the mold. Also, in a fit of genius, I made one in a straight-sided, metal mold and with or without the plastic, there it still sits today -- a pan full of crete -- makes a good doorstop tho. :)
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Paws, Never heard about baby powder but Tango talked about using baking powder for the ancient look. Don't remember the exact name/description but it takes up space in the mold and gives an uneven, aged looked. Didn't he use a spray on release and then the baking powder adhered to the spray. Would certainly be cheaper than baby powder. Billie
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I just found my way back a couple of weeks ago! My guys Cooper and Bailey crossed the Rainbow Bridge 5 years ago. And now we have our 4th beloved Golden Retriever, Griffin! loved rereading this thread too. ah The memories!
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linda117-Writing letters to the local board of realtors, regional offices and whomever else isnt going to help you with this. I'm sure that they hear from people every day that are unhappy with their agents. Thanks linda117, Its always nice to hear (from a buyer's agent) how ineffective it is to complain to a realty board. Even when the seller DOES have a point. linda117 wrote-"Ellysas if they are all crappy, why bother with getting another agent at all? What a ridiculous statement." ellysas-Your right, SOME (not all) agents really are crappy. Especially when they suggest that wrongly treated sellers humble themselves to lying, unethical realtors who would hold a clients house hostage so they can get an undeserved commission. The seller should suspend the listing. This sellers agent doesn't deserve a single DIME of compensation for all the aggravation they have caused krista123. Now they are pulling a power play to keep her house OFF them market as long as they can even though THEY were the ones who screwed up? Jeeze. Airforceguy is right. Contact a consumer reporter at your local newspaper. The right publicity will force the realty co. to make this right. Especially with all the negative subprime mortgage news being plastered all over the media. After its over, krista123 should post her negative experience in Craigslist/real estate, CityData, etc. Warn other people so they won't have to go through the same crap that you went through with this lying, unethical, (used car) salesman and their sleazy company. When you hire another agent to sell your house, make sure you have a real estate attorney look over the agreement first. Have him/her put a claus in the listing agreement that says you can cancel your listing ANY time. Make sure you have a list of the specific services you expect, a timeline of when to expect these and a penalty ($) if they DON'T do these things on time (or at all).
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rickharmer
18 years ago
Morning.No snow here(HA_HA!)and am pouring today.
I've been using Crete-Lease for a few years.I've used it on wood,metal,plastic,urethane,my wife....!
Seriously,the stuff works well.An earlier poster(MUCH earlier)had expressed an opinion about the product,saying that she used very little,then wiped that down even more.I blindly followed her advice until last year,then simply ignored that method,sprayed it on lightly(I buy the spraycans in Surrey,BC)and pour away.Few bugholes and easy removal.I'm quite happy with it!
Cheers from here
rhonda2006
18 years ago
Ok Rick, do you like the Crete Lease as well as anything else or is there something that you like better?? Several like the Smooth On.
Thanks.
rickharmer
18 years ago
Nope.After sprayons like Pam,silicone lubricant I found what I needed in Crete-lease.I've been buying it in the spray can(I know they won't ship out of country)and am happy with it.
Cheers from here
paws4pets
18 years ago
For my plastic and rubber molds I use Smooth On Universal Release and for other things like wood or homemade molds I use 8 parts denatured alcohol and 1 part non detergent motor oil. Was told never use motor oil on rubber molds it will harm them. So far this has worked well for me. A little extra water in the mix helps me decrease the bugholes.
Paws
tango88
18 years ago
RD...I have always had excellent results with a product from Reynold's called "In and Out". It is widely used in commercial casting and a very good product. Here is a link to the Reynolds Advanced Materials site. Best of luck. Can't wit to see your latest. Oh...and if you'd like to see a commission I just completed, Email me, as I will no longer post pix here.

Here is a link that might be useful: In & Out Concrete Release
Blooming_Stone
18 years ago
I use your release agent, Running Dog. I like the fact that it is a "proprietary blend of vegetable oils." I've been brushing it on and then wiping it off with a towel. The same towel for five months, actually. I never thought of spraying it...I'll buy one of those pump-up sprayers that we can buy in our big grocery store. They are about $4.00.
I used to scrub my metal molds clean, then let them dry, then re-oil them. Now I clean the metal with a brass curly scrub pad dipped in oil. Wipe it down with a rag, and we're ready for pouring.

Mercedes
rhonda2006
18 years ago
Hey running dog, just thought I would mention to you that Shawnee Molds has a release agent that is made with caster oil. The price is right too!

Here is a link that might be useful: http://shawneemolds.com
Running_Dog
Original Author
18 years ago
lol - I'm on the wrong side of the Atlantic for all of those release agents - that's why I wanted to find a recipe to make my own.

I thought I'd be able to find castor oil anywhere, but it's quite hard to track down.
rhonda2006
18 years ago
Running dog, maybe you need to find a friend in the states that can help you out. :)
rhonda2006
18 years ago
I found some more information on castor oil as a release agent. I can't seem to get the link to work. Type in google
castor oil and methanol release agent. Check out MSP oil.

Trying to remember a release agent...

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Running_Dog
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Trying to remember a release agent...

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Running_DogOriginal Author

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Running_Dog
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