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Reduc-It™ Shrinking Mold Compound
What is Reduc-It™?
Reduc-It™ is a unique positive casting material that uniformly shrinks 50%
to create replicas to scale from most models. In a single stage of reduction,
a Reduc-It casting shrinks to approximately half its original volume or
two-thirds its original size in linear dimensions. You can make further
reductions by repeating the pouring and drying process with a mold
from the reduced model. Important: Please read the following
instructions carefully.
Pouring the Reduc-It™ Model
1. Combine two parts water with one part Reduc-It by volume (a rubber
mixing bowl works best for this). Add Reduc-It to the water and blend
the mixture.
2. Mix Reduc-It powder and water clockwise and counter-clockwise,
occasionally scraping the mixture from the sides of the bowl. It is
important to introduce as little air as possible into the mixture to reduce
the occurrence of trapped air bubbles. Mix for at least one minute until
absolutely smooth. Achieving a smooth mixture is critical for the reducing
process. Reduc-It is only workable for up to 10 minutes after contact with
water.
3. After mixing, check with a spatula or stirring rod for any remaining lumps
of powder. Undetected lumps cause surface defects on your castings as
/'they dry. The consistency of the mixture should be thick but fluid enough
to pour into your molds.
4. Pour the mixture quickly and carefully into your molds. As you pour, push
the mixture against the surface of the mold with your fingers or a brush to
ensure good contact with the mold and to avoid trapping air bubbles in
fine, detailed areas.
• For two-piece molds with intricate detail, coat each half of the mold
separately, then join them and fill the cavity to the top. You can also
reach into the mold with a brush to coat the surface of the design.
• Wait at least one hour before unmolding for either large or small pieces.
Please Note: Whenever possible, pour Reduc-It™ into a non-porous mold
(made of rubber, urethane, silicone or latex). If you must use a porous mold
(made of plaster, wood or an organic material), it must be sealed before
casting to prevent Reduc-It from sticking to the surface of the mold.
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Please Note: Reduc-It is only
workable for up to 10 minutes after
contact with water.
Mix Reduc-It with water (steps 1–3).
Pour into an RTV mold (step 4).
Reduc-It Mold Compound shrinks
about 50% by volume, to two-thirds
of its original size.
Reduc-It™
page 2
Drying the Reduc-It Model
Either air-dry your newly poured model or place it in a
dehydrator to dry. Air-drying works best; however, if time
is a factor, a dehydrator provides a fast, controlled method
of shrinking Reduc-It™ models. Please Note: Do not use an
oven or microwave to dry models, as heat distorts Reduc-It.
Air-Drying
The speed of air-drying depends on the relative humidity of
the environment. In very humid conditions, mold may grow
on the model as it slowly air-dries. To prevent mold from
forming on the newly poured model, use a mold inhibitor.
Drying with a Dehydrator
A dehydrator speeds the drying process (food dehydrators
are good for this process). Position your Reduc-It casting
upright in the dehydrator. If necessary, lay small wedges
of wood under the sides of the model to stabilize it.
Once your piece is in the dehydrator, carefully monitor
its progress, as it will dry quite rapidly. On castings with
variable-size parts, the smaller parts shrink first. Water
evaporates more quickly from these smaller parts, but
larger areas shrink soon after.
Once the entire model has assumed fairly accurate
proportions, remove it from the dehydrator and allow it
toair-dry for about eight hours. During this time, you may
rework the mold to fine-tune details. Periodically check
the model at room temperature until it reaches the proper
proportions, or put it back in the dehydrator for a
couple of hours to complete drying. To avoid over-drying,
watch the new model closely while it is in its final stages
in the dehydrator.
Thin, medallion-type forms may warp as they dry. To avoid
warping, build a wall around the edge of the mold about
2" high to add thickness to your model. Please note that
adding additional Reduc-It compound to the mold will
increase drying and reducing time. An alternative method
of preventing warpage is to pour Reduc-It beyond the edge
of the mold to create a lip about 1/2" thick. After removing the
model from the mold, you may weigh down the lip to keep
the model from warping while it dries.
©2011 The Bell Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
800.545.6566
www.riogrande.com
Sharing your passion for making jewelry.