How To Make Your Own Mould!

Step 1: After finding a template Coca Cola bottle, you need to encase half the bottle in a flat clay bed, take your time and use the line down the side of the bottle as a handy guide (remember to keep the clay covered too so it doesn't dry out!) Don't forget to etch a groove into the bed around the bottle to help the two silicone layers slot together when making your bottle! (see the final pic below for how this should look).

After this comes the important step of applying that all important first silicone layer*. The first layer should be done very thinly, using a soft paint brush carefully apply a thin base layer to cover the bottle and the bed. this needs to be left to set for a while (give it a good 3/4 hours) before applying the second, thicker layer of silicone (leaving a silicone layer at least 3-5mm all around the bottle). This second layer requires a 'thickener' in addition to your normal silicone mix. this will give a toothpaste like consistency and can be applied with a small trowel or similar. Once this is applied, silicone 'teeth' need to be placed around the edges of the mould to help attach it to the plaster outer cast (see picture above). Allow to dry overnight.
*See bottle for how to mix your silicone correctly as this could vary depending on type/source of the silicone


Step2: Once the silicone is dry a protective plaster cast needs to be formed around it, to both help keep the mould in place and stop it from being easily damaged. To do this you will need to mix up some plaster using plaster powder and water. once mixed allow the plaster to begin to set, so it has a syrupy texture and begin to lightly cover the silicone mould (use a trowel) keep slowly applying the plaster building it up more and more, this should get easier as the plaster begins to thicken. then, as it is beginning to become more solid start to trowel on thicker slabs and use the trowel to create a nice, neat finish (as seen above). remember in the latter stages you will need to be efficient as the plaster sets very quickly! Allow at least half hour after finishing for the plaster to dry to a state where you can continue to work on the mould.


Step 3: Once the plaster has set you are ready to begin on the second half of your mould! place the mould upside down and remove your clay bed from around the bottle (being careful not to scratch the bottleor dislodge it from the first silicone mould). Take Your time! you want to remove ALL the tiny pieces of clay as otherwise they will all show up on the final mould so use a damp cloth, brushes or anything you think may help remove all those stubborn clay pieces.

Step 4: Once the clay bed is removed your bottle/mould should look like the image above. The next thing to do is to apply a thin layer of vaseline all around the first silicone mould, making sure to cover every section, but not the bottle itself! the vaseline will help seperate the second silicone mould from the original half, but any upon the bottle itself will only leave unwanted marks on your finished product.
After this is it is a simple case of repeating steps 1 and 2!

Finished Mould: Your finished mould should look just like the image above, if so congratulations! you are now ready to make your own Coca Cola bottles, now, let's make art!

*any questions can be asked in the comment section below...*