How to Use Latex as a Moulding Compound

Fill any holes that pass through the statue, sculpture or item you intend to mold with modeling clay. This allows the latex to peel away like a glove. Holes that go straight through will render the latex mold useless and potentially break the item.

Clean the statue, sculpture or other item you intend to mold with warm water and allow it to air-dry thoroughly. You can pat it dry with paper towels, but ensure you do not leave any particles on its surface. Once dry, use your fingertips or a paintbrush to coat the item in a thin layer of liquid soap to prevent the latex from sticking. Allow the soap to dry for at least an hour.

Open the liquid latex rubber and mix it with a paint stirrer or wooden dowel rod. Pour the liquid latex into a clean bucket large enough to accommodate the item you plan to mold. If you plan to mold an item that is too large to lift easily or a shape difficult to dip, you can leave the latex in its original container.

Grasp the item you plan to mold by its base and slowly dip it into the latex. Once the item is submerged in the latex completely, shake it gently to remove potential air bubbles. Slowly pull the item out of the latex and hold it over the bucket, allowing excess to drip away. If it is too heavy to lift or if it is an odd shape, dip a large paintbrush into the latex and use that to coat the object. Ensure you get latex in all of the item's crevices.

Set the latex-coated item on a flat surface and allow it to dry for 10 to 24 hours. You can reduce this time to one or two hours with the use of a hairdryer set to high heat. If you opt for the hairdryer method, always work in a well-ventilated area and hold the dryer at least 3 feet from the item. Cover the bucket of latex while you allow the mold to dry.

Stir the latex upon opening the bucket. Repeat the dipping or painting process, coating the item in a second layer of latex, and repeat the drying process. Coat the item in a third layer of latex, repeating both processes a final time to finish the mold.

Allow the mold to dry for an additional 24 hours and coat it with a thin layer of liquid soap. Lift the edges of the latex off the base of the item and slowly peel the mold back as though you are removing a glove. Work slowly and carefully to avoid tearing the latex. Once you have peeled the latex completely off the item, coat the exposed surface of the mold in a layer of liquid soap. Turn the mold right-side out; it is now ready for use.