Cool, I'll do that. Modeling clay would be easier to work with anyways

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hum.....
1987 300TD 311,000M Stolen. Presumed destroyed

Ok, I did a cast with modeling clay and I'm noooot really happy with how it came out. they shrunk more then I thought they would. on a happier note. I have the plates here with me. Soooooo. I want to do a plaster cast. How can I make sure when the plaster dries I can release the metal without breaking said plaster? can I spray something on the plates like whites grease or cooking spray?

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hum.....
1987 300TD 311,000M Stolen. Presumed destroyed

It's a shame the modeling clay didn't work. In art school we used a thin layer of latex to stop Plaster of Paris from sticking to stuff.

I still don't really understand why you're making castings though 'cos you know that once you make a mold and then cast metal in it the metal reproduction will come out smaller.

If you want an exact match then I'd be doing some sort of tracing - grave stone rubbing / digital photo and then copy with a CAD program... ???

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1992 W201 190E 1.8 171,000 km - Daily driver
1981 W123 300D ~ 100,000 miles / 160,000 km - project car stripped to the bone
1965 Land Rover Series 2a Station Wagon CIS recovery therapy!
1961 Volvo PV544 Bare metal rat rod-ish thing

I'm here to chat about cars and to help others - I'm not here "to always be right" like an internet warrior



Don't leave that there - I'll take it to bits!

how quick do you need them? I have access to a laser scanner but time on it is hit or miss.

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1982 300CD Turbo (Otis, "ups & downs") parts for sale
2003 TJ with Hemi (to go anywhere, quickly) sold
2001 Excursion Powerstroke (to go dependably)
1970 Mustang 428SCJ (to go fast)
1962 Corvette LS1 (to go in style)
2001 Schwinn Grape Krate 10spd (if all else fails)

I will only have the plates this week. going to do a wax casting. turns out I have the supplies to do that.

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hum.....
1987 300TD 311,000M Stolen. Presumed destroyed

Check out rubber casting. A friend reproduced a number of parts in plaster using a flexible rubber mold he poured himself.

Like the dental stuff?

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hum.....
1987 300TD 311,000M Stolen. Presumed destroyed

It's very similar. An easily disassembled box contains the part and the mold. After the rubber cures the box is removed and the rubber can be pulled away from the master.
I might meet with the guy tomorrow, I'll ask for particulars.

I am intrigued, Do you know of any kits? what's the shrink factor on it?

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hum.....
1987 300TD 311,000M Stolen. Presumed destroyed

AFAIK there is no shrinkage. But let me get back to you tomorrow.