How to Make Fiberglass Dinosaurs

A fiberglass dinosaur is not difficult to craft.

Fiberglass sculptures are lightweight, weatherproof and durable. When making sculptures, fiberglass provides a simple and cost effective material to work with. Any design can be made from fiberglass with a little work and creativity including, for example, a fiberglass dinosaur.

Things You'll Need

• Oil Based Clay
• Plaster Mix
• Paint Brush
• Liquid Fiberglass Resin
• Rubber Gloves
• Dust Mask
• Cardboard Box
• Vaseline
• Handheld Razor
• Belt

Instructions

Fiberglass Dinosaur

1. Sculpt a dinosaur from the oil based clay. It is helpful to base the sculpture off of a picture or model to help get all of the elements correct.

2. Put the dinosaur sculpture on a work table and clear the area.

3. Put on your rubber gloves, dust mask and some older clothes that you do not mind getting dirty; working with plaster will get messy.

4. Mix half of the plaster according to the manufacturer's instructions.

5. Fill the cardboard box half way with the plaster mixture and place the dinosaur sculpture into it. Only submerge half of the sculpture into the plaster, this will be a two part mold; you are making the first half.

6. Allow the plaster to dry completely, according to the manufacturer's instructions.

7. Coat the exposed plaster with a generous layer of Vaseline. This will keep the two halves of the mold from sticking together, so be sure that the layer is thick.

8. Mix the second half of the plaster as per the manufacturer's instructions.

9. Pour the plaster into the box, covering the other half of the dinosaur sculpture.

10. Allow the plaster to dry completely, according to the manufacturer's instructions.

11. Tear away the cardboard box and pull the two halves of the mold apart, exposing the clay sculpture.

12. Remove the sculpture from the mold; it is not important to keep it intact while doing so.

13. Use the paint brush to paint a thick layer of fiberglass resin onto the inside of both halves of the mold. Also, paint some of the resin onto the area where the two halves meet so that the halves of the mold bond to each other when pressed together.

14. Quickly place the two sides of the molds together and secure them tightly with the belt.

15. Allow the fiberglass to dry according to the manufacturer's instructions.

16. Remove the belt and use the hammer and break away the plaster mold to reveal your fiberglass dinosaur.

17. Use your handheld razor to cut away any excess fiberglass material from the dinosaur as a finishing touch.

Tips & Warnings

• If you would like to make a multiple use mold, consider using silicone instead of plaster to make the dinosaur mold. The silicone can be pulled away from the fiberglass dinosaur.

References

• Savanna Leigh Art: Casting With Fiberglass