What is a Hand Casting Kit Used for?
Looking to make and preserve memories that will last a lifetime? ProMarine Supplies has your back with our newest product! As of September 13th, we have introduced our own Hand Casting Kit. Safeguard precious moments in time by creating a replica of you and your loved ones’ held hands or the hands of a beloved friend or family member.
Here’s some more information on how others have used DIY hand casting kits to make their memories last!
DIY Family Hand Casting Kit
Many crafters want to create something memorable that symbolizes family bonds (whether by blood or by discovery) with a family hand casting kit.
Hand Hold Casting Kit
With this kit comes the opportunity to celebrate a new relationship or a long-lasting one by casting your interlocked hands and displaying the resulting sculpture in your home. The kit can also make for a great wedding gift and DIY experience.
Adult Hand Casting Kit
Whether you’re looking to create unique hand sculptures, ring holders for jewelry or product displays, or spooky seasonal decorations for the holidays, the opportunity to do so is now within your reach! If you’re a movie buff or you work in the industry, you can use this product to create props as well.
Baby Hand Casting Kit
Welcome the arrival of a new family member with this memorable project! First-time parents may be especially interested in celebrating the next chapter of their lives by casting and making a sculpture of their child’s hand.
What Does the Hand Casting Kit include?
- Step 1 mold-making material
- Step 2 casting material
- Sandpaper
- Demolding stick
- Instructions (you can also find a copy of these on the product page)
Some items you will need that are not included in the hand mold casting kit:
- Whisk or large spoon
- Timer
- Measuring cups
- Large mixing bowl (which will be used for mixing plaster)
- Optional: baby oil
We also recommend a mask and safety glasses for personal protective equipment. Always keep safety in mind!
Tips For Using Your Hand Casting Kit
The process for a home hand casting kit may seem intimidating at first, but reading the instructions and following them carefully is the perfect way to ensure your best results.
Here are some tips for helping you succeed! These are especially important to note if it is your first time using a kit like this one.
- You will obtain the best results if your hand is not at an angle when you cast it. Any attempt to cast fingers that are not at the lowest point in the bucket may lead to some mishaps.
- Have someone help you by reading the instructions to you, helping you with mixing, or tending to any children who are a part of the process.
- Put water in the bucket first before the molding powder. The material may set early if there isn’t enough water.
- Use cold (refrigerated) water for mixing your mold-making powder. Cold water will give you a bit more working time to break up clumps of powder. If you decide to use cool water instead (around 70 degrees Fahrenheit), your working time will be around six minutes.
- If you have thin jewelry or long fingernails, tuck a small amount of clay behind your jewelry or under your nails to make them sturdier. This will help prevent them from breaking while you demold.
- Before putting your hand in the molding material, rub it with water or baby oil. Your hand should not be wet, but damp.
- After inserting your hand in the molding material, pull them all the way back out before inserting them again for the final cast.
- Practice your hand position before adding things into the bucket. You’ll have to sit still for a few minutes, so make sure you are comfortable.
Now we’ll go through the basic steps of the hand casting kit process. If you would rather watch a video about how to use a hand casting kit, it’s available below.https://www.youtube.com/embed/8zeNyif7ZeA
First, you’ll want to open the bag labeled ‘Mold-making material’ and start pouring it into a bucket filled with 12 cups of water. Gradually mix together as you pour. Combined, the products should result in a dark, pink-ish mixture.
Before you place your hand into the mold-making mixture, you’ll want to dip it in water. This helps reduce the possibility of air bubbles.
Pour the mold-making mixture into the plastic molding bucket provided with the kit. Once you’ve decided on a pose for your hand—we chose holding a pencil—assume that pose and slowly dip your hand into the mixture.
Remove your hand— coated with a layer of the mixture—before sticking it back in. The mixture will begin to change color after it sets, but be prepared to hold your position for at least 2 minutes after the color has changed to completely white.
Carefully wiggle your hand free. Allow the mold to sit for the appropriate amount of time, as listed in the instructions.
Now it’s time to don your safety glasses and gloves!
Fill a separate bucket with the amount of water instructed. Then, add your casting materials and blend whisk them together with water until they begin to thicken.
Pour a little bit of the casting mixture into your mold and swirl it around to coat the nooks and crannies.
Afterward, continue pouring the casting mixture to fill the mold entirely.
To help release air bubbles that could be trapped inside, gently tap the sides of the bucket.
After about two hours, you’ll need to flip your bucket upside down. It should rest like that for another four hours.
Then it’s time to take out your mold and cast! Gently pry the molding material from the edges of the bucket and carefully flip it back upside down to get the mold out.
Peel the molding materials away from your cast. You can start with bigger pieces on the outside, but the closer you get to the cast, the more careful you’ want to be.
For the more intricate areas, you can use the provided demolding stick to remove material. Or, carefully pick the material away with a safety pin.
Finally, you’ll be sanding away any imperfections, making the surface a smooth and accurate replica of the pose you struck hours before!
And, at last, your cast is complete.
How Long Does It Take to Use?
The estimated time of the hand casting kit process is listed in the instructions provided. It’s split up into three sections: prep time, casting time, and demolding time.
Prep Time (10 minutes): The steps leading up to you casting your hand will take roughly 10 minutes.
Casting Time (30 minutes): The steps that include preparing your casting material and pouring it into the mold will take about 30 minutes.
Demolding Time (Six hours): The process of allowing the cast to harden in the mold will take two hours, and storing the mixing bucket with the mold upside down to help the moisture drain out will take another four hours. Make sure to wait no more than 24 hours to start the demolding process.
A Keepsake and an Experience
Surprise your loved ones with a gift and a DIY experience they’ll remember with the ProMarine Supplies’ Hand Casting Kit!
Take a look at what others have created:
@peaceloveart_ takes inspiration from her garden in this joyful hand cast that has us wishing it were spring!
@jens.paint.and.pour‘s gold-dusted hand cast strikes a powerful pose and serves to support her products for photos!
If you have any questions about this product, reach out to us on our Contact Us page. Answers to common questions about our other products can be found on our FAQs page, as well.
Happy crafting!
