How do you Seal a Hand Casting?

Sealing 3D Baby Casts: A Comprehensive Guide

Are you an aspiring lifecaster with questions about sealing 3D baby casts or hand casts? If so, you've come to the right place. Our Professional Life Casting Courses are designed to teach you how to create top-notch 3D baby hand and feet casts and kickstart a successful lifecasting business.

Preserving the longevity and sentimental value of your customer's 3D baby casts is crucial. Sealing hand and foot casts not only shields them from wear and tear but also enhances their visual appeal. In this guide, we will delve into the importance of sealing hand casts and explore various methods to achieve optimal results.

To Seal or Not to Seal Hand Casts?

Before delving into the methods of sealing hand casts, let's address a common query: "Do I need to seal my hand casts before painting?" Surprisingly, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. It depends on the type of plaster used for casting baby hand and foot molds. Many self-taught life casters use low-grade plasters found in mass-market hand-casting kits, which have a looser surface, making them more porous and prone to absorbing liquid.

In such cases, it is crucial to seal your hand casts with either diluted PVA Glue, Casting Plaster Hardener, or a de-waxed Shellac-based primer before painting. This prevents the paint from being absorbed into the plaster and ensures it adheres to the surface properly.

The Importance of Sealing:

1. Durability: Sealing your hand casts safeguards them from dust, moisture, and minor physical damages, ensuring their longevity for generations.
2. Preservation: It maintains the original appearance of the hand and foot casts, preventing yellowing, fading, or deterioration over time.
3. Safety: Sealing eliminates the risk of plaster particles shedding, making the hand cast safer, especially if displayed unframed or freestanding in a child's room.

However, if you're using high-quality plaster as recommended in our Ultimate Life Casting Training Series, which has a tight surface that acrylic paint adheres well to, sealing before painting may not be necessary. Nevertheless, applying a sealant after painting is highly recommended to preserve the cast and protect it against UV light, regardless of whether the plaster was sealed before painting.

Methods to Seal Plaster 3D Baby Hand and Foot Casts:

These methods assume you are using a high-quality casting plaster such as Herculite II which is less porous and which paint adheres well to:

1. Painting: If you wish to Hand Paint and Wax your 3D Hand Casts:

• Allow the 3D Hand Casts to dry thoroughly before painting or sealing. (Bone dry)
• Choose a black fluid acrylic paint for your base paint.
• Apply a base coat of acrylic paint before applying any further layers.
• Set aside to dry thoroughly.
• Apply gilders paste to create an antiqued faux-metal finish and accentuate the detail.
• Once painted, you can seal the hand and foot cast with a clear (matte or gloss) non-yellowing sealer for added protection and to achieve a polished finish.

2. Airbrushing: If you wish to Airbrush your 3D Baby Casts:

• Set the Plaster Baby Cast aside to dry thoroughly before painting.
• Apply a de-waxed shellac-based primer before air-brushing.
• Follow the recommended ratios for mixing your Airbrush paint and thinner.
• Ensure proper functionality before starting your project by testing on a sheet of paper.
• Begin airbrushing by applying light, controlled strokes, building up layers gradually.
• Ensure each layer is completely dry before applying the next.
• Apply a clear sealant to protect the finished work.

3. Clear Sealants: If you wish to Leave the 3D Hand Casts White/Natural (without painting)

• Allow the 3D Hand Casts to dry thoroughly.
• Prime with a diluted white fluid acrylic paint of your choice.
• Set aside for paint to thoroughly dry.
• Seal with a clear sealant designed for plaster or porous surfaces.
• Apply the sealant evenly covering the entire surface of the hand cast.
• Let it dry thoroughly according to the manufacturer's instructions.

4. Diluted PVA Glue: (Alternative method)

• Dilute PVA glue with water (1 part glue to 4 parts water).
• Lightly brush the diluted glue mixture all over the surface of the hand and foot cast.
• Ensure even coverage and let it dry completely. The glue will create a protective layer over the handcast.

Tips for Sealing 3D Baby Hand Casts:

1. Ventilation: Ensure proper ventilation when using sealants, paint, or glue to avoid inhaling fumes.
2. Precision: Take your time and work meticulously to achieve an even seal.
3. Testing: Always test the chosen sealant on a small, inconspicuous area or sample hand cast, before applying it to the entire hand cast.

Conclusion: Ensuring the longevity and durability of your plaster 3D baby hand and foot casts is a crucial undertaking. By adhering to appropriate methods and employing suitable materials, you have the opportunity to craft an enduring keepsake that encapsulates the precious memories of a baby's formative years. While the decision to seal the plaster before painting may vary based on the quality of the material used, this guide has equipped you with the knowledge to make an informed choice. Whether you opt to seal before painting or not, approach the process with patience, meticulous attention to detail, and revel in the experience of creating a cherished memento destined to be treasured for a lifetime.

If you found this tip helpful and would like to learn more about how to become a professional Life Caster and start your own successful Baby Life Casting Business, please download our FREE Guide below.

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