7 Silicone Mold Care Mistakes You Can Easily Avoid

silicone mold care mistakes to avoid
Using silicone molds to make resin crafts? Awesome. You can use them to make an artsy dice set or a bangle bracelet. Now that you’ve invested in resin silicone molds, you want to make sure they last. Silicone mold care isn’t tricky, but there are a few things you can do to keep your molds like new.  Here are the silicone mold care mistakes to avoid:

Mistake #1: Not storing your molds in a single, flat layer.

Stacking them in a pile will cause them to bend and buckle. Once a silicone mold warps, it won’t go flat again.

💡 Pro tip: To create more space within a box, place a piece of cardboard on top of a layer of molds to create a new layer. Then, evenly distribute the molds on the next layer.

Mistake #2: Skipping the mold release.

Resin mold release makes it easier to demold resin. Plus, it prolongs the life of your mold. It protects against microtears that cause your molds to rip.

⭐️ BONUS: Here are three reasons why I always use a mold release.

Mistake #3: Keeping your silicone molds in the heat and sun.

Excessive heat and UV light dry out the silicone. Your mold will crumble and stick to your resin.

Mistake #4: Not thinking about long-term storage.

Even when you’re careful about storing your molds, sometimes they don’t stay in shape. If you’re not using your silicone mold for a while, care for it by placing a casting in it to help it keep its shape.

You can use one of your resin mistakes in the mold to help it stay even and formed.

💡 Pro tip: If it’s an intricate mold, pour warm candle wax into the mold. The wax will easily demold later.

Mistake #5: Piercing holes in your mold.

Your mold will stretch and lose its shape. Not to mention there’s a hole in your mold. Like resin can run through a hole… #justsayin

💡 Pro tip: If you need to mark your molds, use your favorite marker pen.

Mistake #6: Not washing your molds.

When finished resin casting with your mold, wash it with warm water and mild soap.

Good silicone mold care means not using use solvents to clean your mold and not running it through the dishwasher.  Don’t ever put epoxy in your dishwasher.  Not only will it ruin your dishwasher, but it might also ruin your marriage.  (Name withheld to protect the poor husband that will NEVER make that mistake again.)

Make sure your molds are completely dry before storing them.

⭐️ BONUS: Three steps to getting uncured resin off your silicone molds.

Mistake #7: Applying too much heat.

You don’t want to warp or burn the mold. Use a heat gun to gently apply heat instead of a torch or lighter flame.

New to resin and unsure where to start?

I’ve helped thousands of aspiring resin artists worldwide, and I would love to help you too. It’s why I wrote the book Resin Fundamentals.  I’ve condensed my seventeen years of experience into an easy-to-follow ebook for resin novices. You can be successful crafting with resin from day one. Buy the PDF book now and get a download link to your inbox in minutes.

Unpublished Blog Posts of Resin Obsession, LLC © 2023 Resin Obsession, LLC

Like this post? You may be interested in  How To Make A Silicone Mold For Resin Or Clay

62 thoughts on “7 Silicone Mold Care Mistakes You Can Easily Avoid

  1. Hi im very new to resin but recently purchased a few flower molds just to try it out and i cannot get them to come out without several bubbles around the edges of the pettels. i dont think its a reaction of any kind i am just not pouring it in there right i think as they look like bites taken out of the edge of the pettels. Please help! Any info is appreciated!

    1. Two things you can do: 1. Warm up your mold with a heat gun before pouring the resin. (be careful not to melt your mold — especially if it is plastic) 2. Pour a small amount of resin into the mold and roll it around. This will help to break the surface tension and less likely that these bubbles will occur.

      1. Hi, I have a few molds and after a couple of uses they’ve lost their shine and have gone white. Now when I demold my resin isn’t shiny, how can I fix this?

  2. I just got your clear silicone cone pendant mold and the opening is so small I can’t imagine how I’ll get a cured piece out without cutting the mold. How do I do this? Thanks.

  3. Hi Katherine,
    I’d like to know if you don’t mind sharing what product you use to make your silicone bangle bracelet molds. Thank you

  4. Katherine

    HELP ppplllleeaasee

    Recently purchased a shredder and being of a creative and art background, really liked the recycled cardboard packaging that protected the shredder from damage etc.
    I remembered I had bought some silicone and catalyst and resin to have a go with. My silicone mold came out a treat however before I can create my resin cast I need to remove the thin layer of brown recycled packaging which remains stuck to the silicone even after 24hrs of cold water soaking in our bath lol!

    Have you ANY idea how I could acheive this. I do have imagery should you need to see my DIY silicone mold cast into recycled reformed protective Cardboard packaging

    1. I got alcohol ink on my silicone mold. is there a way to get it off/will it come off on my next resin piece if i dont

  5. Hi katherine
    I have a question, I solved liquid soap in water and I soaked my molds in it for about an hour . after that some white powders appeard in my molds that made my works turbid. Do you now how can I remove that powders without hurting my molds??

  6. Hi, I need help and advice. I got my mold for giant cupcake today, but the top is crushed aside. What can I do to fix it? The seller doesn’t want to replace it. Please help me!

    1. I’m afraid once a silicone mold is crushed like that, it’s almost impossible to get it back to its normal shape without the original template.

  7. Hello.

    I’ve made a bunch a ArtResin coasters. My last batch got a bit stuck… I did follow your tips and I did end up getting the resin out of my silicone mold. After getting them out they did leave a bit of a mark that csng be cleaned out. I think it’s just from them gettjng stuck. I’ve sprayed agent on them twice… as usually. Do you think I would be safe to use them again or should I get new molds?

    1. That’s happened to me several times. Do you use a heat gun to get out bubbles or a torch on low?
      I’m pretty sure that’s what caused my resin to stick to the mold, I let it get too hot (have the heat gun too close to the resin/mold. I finally got it apart and it ripped the mold. The mold is useless now, I tried fixing with silicone but it didn’t work.

  8. Hello everybody hope everybody enjoys the New Year be safe out there I am new at this resin and epoxy stuff on the inks with the alcohol and them can I use the white with the alcohol and mix it with the acrylic paint for arts and crafts and still get the same results as you would using all alcohol inks

  9. Hello that was not what I was trying to ask but that is a very good idea what I need to know is can I mix the white alcohol ink with acrylic paint with no alcohol

  10. Is there ANY possible way to fix a warped mould? I’ve only used it 4 times with resin , and now when i cast its either un even or pours out a side 🙁 bummed!!! maybe i can heat it and place under heavy books? Does that make sense? Thanks!

  11. Hi please can anyone help me … i started making coaster and I don’t no why but my moulds keeping going a funny shape like lifting like a hill ( bowing ) and they if i pour resin i end up with a very bumpy bottom . Any idea ? I seem to be forever replacing them .

  12. Hi! I have a bunch of molds that I want to keep in the best shape as long as possible. However I live in Florida, so it’s very humid and extremely hot and I rescue cats/kittens who if given the opportunity would have a field day with them. So what kind of safe, but somewhat accessible storage options are there that you know of? I appreciate your time! Thanks so much! Lauren

  13. Hi, please can you tell me if there’s any way to rescue warped silicone molds?

    I have some heart coaster molds that aren’t very old, but for some reason have ‘dished’ slightly and do not sit flat, even when filled with resin. This means the top surface of the coaster has a dip in it.

    Do you have any advice or tips please? 🙏

  14. Hello,
    I have several silicone molds that I ushally use for concrete but also resin. They’ve been used a few times and are developing white marks on it. This is coming off on the concrete. Do you know what they are and what I can do? I wonder if it’s the silicone drying out?
    Thanks

  15. Gday,
    i have some molds that havent been washed right after use (at least a week).
    What solution should I use to remove excess cured resin from the molds?
    Thankyou.

  16. Hi, i used a liquid colour to pigment my white mold when making it but when i used my resin on them the colour transfered what should i do?

    1. Hi Amanda, there isn’t a way to flatten out the mold again, but you may be able to apply a final layer of resin to smooth out any minor blemishes.

  17. I have a huge of number of molds my problems is how to store them. I have SKUs for them but pens and markers wont stay much longer and stickers just come of

    1. Hi, I’m hoping this feed is still be monitored ☺️ I’m just starting epoxy Resin. I have purchased pretty much any and everything I need except for a pressure pot. My question is if I want to paint the inside of an intricate mold before pouring in the resin. What kind of paint(s) should I use to do the inside paint part?

  18. I am fairly new to working with resin, I used a heat gun to get the bubbles out of some coasters I made and little resin drops splashed onto my laptop. Is there a way to remove cured resin from unwanted surfaces? Any help is greatly appreciated.

  19. Hi Katherine, a custom mould I had made has started to ‘stick’ when I demould my items and the bottom of my pieces isn’t so shiny as when I got it. Does it sound like time to replace it?

  20. hey!!! my mold is popping out from center after 4-5 use.. how this is happening, and what can i do to regain its original shape??

    1. Hi Madhu, are you using a mold release? Unfortunately, there isn’t a way to get it back to its original shape.

  21. Not sure if this is the right article to ask, but I made Let’s Resin brand molds. They are tacky on the top (now the bottom) side that was exposed to air, and the inside of the mold itself. The company isn’t helping, they said “send a pic”. Not sure how to take a pic of sticky, lol. Is there a product to use to remove the stickiness? And, I made sure that I followed the instructions to a T. I didn’t undermix or anything like that. The side that was down, (now the top) is perfect.

    1. Hi Sheila, I’m not clear on what’s going on. Your mold is sticky or resin you poured into the mold is sticky?

  22. Hi, I’ve had a few silicone molds for maybe a year now, some have just been sitting and collecting dust. What is the best way to clean the molds in order to remove that? Also, is it ok if they have a yellow tent to them? I was wondering if the yellow tent would effect any craft I do within the mold.

    1. Hi DeAnna, you can wash and use them. The yellow color shouldn’t impart onto your resin.

  23. Hello,

    My bookmarker molds are starting to lose their shape. I have use a fire torch and I know now this is a mistake. Is there something that I can do to help them reshape?

  24. I want to make butter molds using my silicone molds. If I melt the butter and let it cool, can I pour it into my molds?

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