Radioactive Taco

Just finished the final Toyota emblem that glows in the dark.
Made from clear 2 part epoxy, fluorescent and glow green powders.





Taken at night with slow shutter speed (looks bright outside but it was rather dark.




WARRING ALWAYS WHERE PPE :
- SAFETY GOGGLES OR FACE SHIELD : IF RESIN HARDER GETS IN YOUR EYES YOU WILL BE BLIND
- Respiratory Equipment : some brands of resins and silicone emits gas when curing (specifically polyester or polyurethane resin) these should be used outside unless you have proper ventilation.
Steps to make silicone 2 piece mold (6oz to 8oz for front side)
- Gloves

1. place the master in clay (the clay has to be sulphur-free or the silcone will not cure)
a. make sure only to place the master half way in the clay and smooth out.
b. registry keys (acorn nuts) this will align the finshed mold halfs)
c. make a box using corrugated plastic sign (Take a lawn sign from your least favorite political douchebag) hot glue works well as a sealent.
Note make the box as small as you can as not to waste any silicone)


2. Mix the A+B silicone according to manufacturer instructions
a. when mixing try not to get much air in the silicone while mixing
b. pour the silcone at the lowest part



3. wait about 24 hours and break apart the box and remove the clay.
NOTE: the clay is dark blue the silicone is light blue.
a. DO NOT REMOVE THE MASTER
b. remove the acorn nuts from the silicone
c. make a new box using corrugated plastic sign
d. use hot glue to seal the area between the cured silicone and plastic box
e. use a very light coating vaseline over the entire master and cured silicone half
NOTE: if you do not use vaseline the 2 silicone parts will bond together. locking in your master.



NOTE: nothing sticks to silicone except silicone (so make sure to seal between the box and cured silicone mold with hot glue and use vaseline over the entire cured silicone half)
4. again mix the A+B silicone according to manufacturer instructions (about 12 - 16 oz for backside)
a. when mixing try not to get much air in the silicone while mixing
b. pour the silcone at the lowest part

5. de-mold
now you have 2 halfs
a. I had placed many holes in the backside of the emblem mold as to release gas (if not the gas bubbles will affect the part)
b. I had also drilled 2 holes through both molds and used 2 long bolts to lock the mold together


6. time to create the postive (2 part epoxy) (you need a total of 3 oz for a Toyota emblem)
a. in the A side (resin) mix powder dye and glow.
b. mix in hardner B
c. I used a old turkey injector instead of pouring (make sure not to get air in the mix)
d. depending on the epoxy, it may take anywhere from 1 day to 4 days to cure.
De-mould time is usually 24 - 48 hrs. after mixing.
e. the postive once removed will have many pegs on the backside (from the vent holes).
just use a diagonal cutter to remove and sandpaper or dremel to make smooth.

Note: epoxy shrinks so fill the mold to vent holes are full.




parts
Glow and color powder
http://glowinc.com/SearchResult.aspx?CategoryID=3 for a emblem you need about 1/8 oz
http://glowinc.com/SearchResult.aspx?CategoryID=14 for a emblem you need about 1/8 oz

Molding Silicone
http://www.alumilite.com/Category.cfm?Category=Silicone Rubber
http://eti-usa.com/easymold-silicone-rubber/ (low odor) (get the 2 lb kit)

Casting Resin (need about 3oz)
http://eti-usa.com/easy-cast/ (low odor)
http://www.alumilite.com/ProdDetail.cfm?Category=Casting Resins&Name=Amazing Clear Cast

 

Nice to see something cool and different, nice job.

 

Thanks NoRemorse and scottalot

 

Is there a write up for this.
I dig it!!!!

 

Thats sexy for sure! Is it possible to have a Red that glows in the dark?

 

yes

you can do a candy red with red glow powder.
http://glowinc.com/detail.aspx?ID=19
I recommend getting the largest particle size as it glows brighter and longer.

The red will only glow for about 10 mins vs the Green will glow for 24 hrs.

you can also install several 3mm UV LEDs behind the emblem and connect to your parking light. (this is next on my list) This will make the emblem super bright when driving and the UV charges the phosphorescent.

 

I had taken several pics during the process, I can do a write up..

 

I bet you could sell these

 

Looks really nice Mike. I think I am going to do this in Red for mine! I should get the horned emblem first though

 

That would be bad ass!!!

 

Then an Intel- Satan Inside decal on the rear window.

 

hahahaha
Then go to church on Sunday and park in the pastors spot...

 

that would be nice, if you can post up a write up =)

 

this is awesome! definitely interested in doing it red for mine

 

Pretty sweet! I work rad material so I might be biased! I would be interested if you do sell some...