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4pu no more?

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4pu no more?

Postby chromedog » Wed Sep 16, 2015 8:55 am

OK, so the last time I moulded and cast ANYTHING was about 2 years ago. I got some pinkysil and 4PU from Barnes when I was down in Sydney (yes, I could have had it shipped to me, but I was around the corner at RPA anyway so 2 birds, one stone.)

I've got some terrain pieces that I've made up that I want to cast. I go to their site, and 4PU seems to be no more. I know about the changes they had made to 4pu - and I figured I'd adapt - I've got scales, I've got good "instincts" and I know how to do calculations.

Is it still around? If it isn't, what is the current replacement (similar properties, including pot life).
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Re: 4pu no more?

Postby mangozac » Wed Sep 16, 2015 3:43 pm

That's quite interesting. I haven't even looked at 4PU for ages - perhaps the new formula proved unsuitable for more people than just scale model manufacturers?

I have done a lot of searching from time to time and have stuck with Procast from Barnes ever since the 4PU formulation was changed. It's got a good pot life and Shore hardness but I will admit is a bit on the slow side for curing. It needs to be left for at least 1.5 hours before demoulding for small parts like I do. Larger parts you could get away with 1 hour.

Oh if only we could go back to the original formula 4PU :(

The other resin everybody loves is Smooth On Smooth Cast 305, but it's stupidly expensive here in Oz and more importantly seems to be every aggressive on Barnes silicone products. I tried it out and although it was an awesome resin it destroyed moulds at an insane rate.
Oh yeah I can make that....
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Re: 4pu no more?

Postby johncast » Tue Oct 06, 2015 7:55 pm

Yes the 4PU, totally useless. Have about 1.5 kgs still here to use up. As Barns were short on supplies of the Easycast a few months ago I did a few castings with the 4PU, nothing complex just easy castings in O scale. All cast perfect under pressure but couldn't take the mould apart for over an hour, until the castings cured strong enough, . The next day the castings were still stickie and still a little soft. waste of time the 4PU.

Even a casting I did months ago with 450 grams of 4PU resin I allowed to set in the mould for 5 hours before demoulding , still a little soft when I demoulded and continued to droop sag and distort days after casting.

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