Alright, let’s talk about getting that super clear silicone. I’ve been messing around with different types, trying to get something that’s genuinely transparent, like glass, you know? Not just kinda clear, but crystal clear.
Getting Started
First thing, I had to get the right stuff. Went looking for a two-part platinum cure silicone. Heard those were the best for clarity and didn’t yellow as much over time. Got my Part A and Part B bottles ready. Also grabbed some mixing cups – the clear plastic kind so I could actually see what was going on inside. Stir sticks, obviously. And very important: a digital scale. Measuring this stuff by volume is asking for trouble, trust me. Weight is the way to go.
The Mixing Dance
Okay, so I put my mixing cup on the scale and tared it (zeroed it out). Poured in Part A first. You gotta be precise here, follow the ratio the manufacturer gives you. Usually it’s 1:1 by weight, but always double-check. Poured that in carefully. Then, tared the scale again and slowly added Part B. Watched the numbers like a hawk.
Now, the stirring. This is where the bubbles sneak in. You gotta stir slowly and deliberately. Like folding, almost. Scraping the sides and bottom of the cup constantly. If you whip it up like you’re making scrambled eggs, forget about crystal clear. You’ll just get fizzy silicone. Stirred it for a good few minutes, making sure it was totally combined. No streaks, nothing. It looked pretty good, mostly clear liquid.
Dealing with Bubbles (The Annoying Part)
Even stirring carefully, I still saw some tiny bubbles. The best way I found to deal with them is a vacuum chamber. If you have one, great. Put the cup inside, pull a vacuum. You’ll see the bubbles expand like crazy and then pop. Let it sit under vacuum for a bit. If you don’t have one, well, you can try letting the mix sit for maybe 5-10 minutes before pouring. Some bubbles might rise and pop on their own. Or you can try a very gentle pass with a heat gun on the lowest setting, far away, but that’s risky – you might start curing it too fast.
The Pour and The Wait
Got my mold ready. Cleaned it out completely. Dust is the enemy of clear. Then, I poured the mixed silicone. The trick here is to pour it in a thin stream, from high up. Let it flow into the lowest point of the mold and fill up slowly. This helps break any remaining bubbles introduced during the pour.
Once poured, I covered it loosely to keep dust out. Then came the hardest part: waiting. Cure times vary, could be hours, could be a full day depending on the type and the room temperature. Resisting the urge to poke it is key. Just gotta let it do its thing.
The Moment of Truth
After waiting patiently (okay, maybe not that patiently), it was time to demold. Carefully peeled the mold away. And yeah, the result was pretty darn good this time! It was incredibly clear. Held it up to the light, almost disappeared. There were maybe one or two microscopic bubbles I missed, but way better than previous attempts. It wasn’t cloudy or hazy, just clean, clear silicone.
So, yeah, it takes a bit of care, especially with the mixing and pouring, and maybe some special gear like a vacuum chamber if you’re serious. But getting that crystal clear finish? Totally possible. Just gotta be methodical about it.