Lecture1 ES

Fine props and artifacts can be produced and decorated with a material called Epoxy Putty. This material can be found in the Auto Supply Stores and is relatively inexpensive. It is designed for repairing tailpipes and mufflers on the automobile and comes in flat strips about four inches long. It is sandwiched between two pieces of thin plastic and when a section is cut and kneaded, it becomes quite like modeling clay and can be worked with small tools and moulded into a variety of shapes. You have about 20 minutes to work with it before it begins to harden. It dries solid over night and can be sanded or filed to smooth the material to a nice shine. At this stage, you can use an antiquing material called "Rub and Buff". This is available in gold, silver, copper and patina (green). When applied lightly to the material, it takes on an antiqued look that is great for Magical Props. I have used these materials for several years, they are fun to work with and produce wonderful results.

The pictures shown on the pages below represent several different applications. It can be used on heavy card, glass, plastic, wood or stone.

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I appreciate that not everyone has the talent for working with modeling clay and many might be apprehensive in using this epoxy resin, especially because of it’s quick drying time and permanent results, good or bad. However, here is a way for you to easily and cheaply practice.

Lets presume your project is to cover and decorate a small box with a pull off lid. Take the lid off and cover it completely with a layer of ‘cling film’(that very thin plastic film used for wrapping sandwiches etc), cover the bottom of the box too. Now cover both outer parts of the box with a thin even layer of children's modelling clay (known in Britain as Plasticine) but make sure that you do not put it over the flange and recess where the lid meets the bottom of the box. Keep both parts of the box separate as you now practice your design work in the clay. It is helpful if you equip yourself with a small set of cheap modelling clay tools, easily available from a craft supply shop. These are usually plastic and really just small shaped spatula’s which make it easier to indent fine detail into the clay. Once you have practiced this way a time or two, you will know what end result you want to achieve and how to go about getting it. Strip everything away from the box pieces, make sure they are clean and then go to work with the epoxy resin applied directly to either the lid or bottom. You will have a good idea from the amount of modelling clay you used on the piece as to how much epoxy resin to make up and it is always better to mix a bit too much than too little.

Postscrypt. In Britain, the original version of this type of epoxy putty is available from good hobby and craft shops under the trade name of Milliput and is slightly cheaper than that sold for D.I.Y. It comes in several types and 'fine white' or 'grey' are the ones too choose.

In the craft,
Ed Soloman.