How to Make Epoxy Copy of Ring

Use a 2-part silicone rubber to create a mold capable of re-creating a ring with epoxy.

Making an epoxy copy of a ring is an easy process, requiring little more than silicone rubber to create a mold with and the epoxy for the ring. Done correctly, you’ll have an exact replica of the ring, with the epoxy able to be colored however you wish. The actual work of making the mold and casting the ring takes little time, though waiting for both the mold and the epoxy will add hours to the process.

Things You'll Need

• Small plastic container
• Hobby knife
• Double-sided tape
• 2-part silicone rubber
• Wood craft stick
• Mold release agent
• 2-part epoxy resin
• Sandpaper

Instructions

1. Locate a small plastic container with a fitted top that you can use for the mold frame. Choose a container that’s only slightly larger than the ring, about 2 to 3 inches more in diameter and an inch greater in height should do.

2. Cut the base from the container using a hobby knife.

3. Lay a strip of double-sided tape across the center of the container top. Place the ring onto the tape to secure it in place. Make sure that the ring is taped to the cap on its edge so that the ring opening faces upward.

4. Place the body of the container over the cap, snapping the cap in place.

5. Spray the ring with the mold release agent to keep the silicone rubber from sticking to the body of the ring.

6. Mix the two-part silicone rubber in a plastic cup, following the manufacturer’s instructions for the ratio of parts to add into the mix. Use only enough rubber needed to fill the container. Use a wooden craft stick to mix the rubber.

7. Pour the rubber into the container along the side of the ring, allowing the rubber to flow over and cover the ring completely. Tap the side of the container after filling it with the craft stick to knock any air bubbles to the surface. Allow the rubber to harden. Setting times will differ depending on the rubber used; touch the top of the rubber, and if your finger comes away with no residue, then the rubber has set enough to remove the ring.

8. Pull the container from the cap. Cut the side of the container open with the hobby knife, then pull the rubber block free. Pry the ring from the block, taking care not to break the rubber in the center of the ring.

9. Spray the inside of the rubber mold with the mold release agent to keep the epoxy from sticking to the mold.

10. Mix a small batch of epoxy in a plastic cup with a wooden craft stick, following the provided component ratios. Pour the epoxy into the mold, opening the mold slightly with your hands to ensure that the epoxy fills the ring mold completely. Allow the epoxy to set. As with the rubber, set times will vary. Consult the epoxy manufacturer instructions for the length of time to wait.

11. Pull the new epoxy ring from the mold. Use your hobby knife to cut away any excess epoxy sticking to the edges of the ring.

12. Sand the rough edge of the ring covering the side of the ring that was at the top of the mold smooth. Use increasingly finer grits of sandpaper for the sanding process, smoothing the ring further with each pass until the rough edge is as smooth as the rest of the ring.

Tips & Warnings

• Finish the ring by polishing its surface with a low abrasive polish and a microfiber cloth.

• Add color to the epoxy by tinting it to the color desired with a powdered pigment.

References

• Aldax Moulds: Aldax 'How To' Videos -- How to Reproduce a Ring

Resources

• Reynolds Advanced Materials: Everything for Mold Making and Casting