How to Cast Baby Hands & Legs in Silver

Casting your baby's hands or legs is a perfect way to preserve precious memories. Instead of using pricey services to have the casting done, there are several do-it-yourself kits available online at affordable prices. You can find kits as low as $25. The most difficult part will be narrowing down the vast selection of casting kits to one that fit your needs.

Things You'll Need

• 1 (16 ounce) Bag of high quality chromatic impression powder
• Small bowl
• Paint brush
• Metallic silver finishing paint
• 1 (16 ounce) Bag of casting powder
• Wooden spatula
• Sandpaper

Instructions

Preparing the Molding

1. Read directions carefully to ensure accurate measure because it can affect your results.

2. Mix the impression powder, also known as alginate, with cold water to create the molding mixture.

3. Pour the mixture into a clear small bowl. The mixture will change color if you have a color-coded impression powder.

4. Place the baby's hand or leg into the mixture. Make sure you can't see the baby's hand or foot through the mixture.

5. Allow the mixture to set, which usually takes a couple of minutes.

6. Remove the baby's hand or leg once the mixture sets this should only take a couple of minutes.

7. Wash the baby's hand or leg.

Preparing the Hand or Leg Cast

1. Mix the casting powder with water.

2. Allow the casting powder to absorb the water before stirring.

3. Pour the casting powder mixture into the set mold.

4. Allow the casting powder to set for three to four hours.

5. Peel away the mold.

Painting

1. Use sandpaper to level off the hand or foot cast if needed.

2. Allow two to three days for your hand or foot cast to dry before painting.

3. Paint the hand or foot cast with one coat of metallic silver finishing paint.

4. Allow four to six hours for the hand or foot cast to dry.

5. Add another coat of metallic silver finishing paint if necessary.

Tips & Warnings

• To avoid skin irritation make sure the molding powder is non-toxic or biodegradable.

References

• hand castings
• hand casting kits