Shine showdown: Mine vs. Theirs

Hi friends,

Let’s talk about ✨shine✨ - the kind that lasts.

If you're a resin artist working with floral preservation, you know how important a shiny mold is, especially when showcasing meaningful bouquet details.

With so many mold options out there, it’s important to know what you’re really getting for your money. And I’m not talking about the cheap Amazon ones. We all know those don’t last.

Among high-quality molds, not all are created equal.

I’ve tested more silicones than I can count before settling on the one I use today. It’s the perfect combo of durability and long-lasting shine because I know how much time and effort goes into your work.

Here’s what matters most when it comes to shiny casts:

 1️⃣ A mold’s initial shine

This comes down to the finish of the master. I spend a lot of time sanding and polishing every single master so that the molds, and your casts, come out smooth and shiny from the start.


 2️⃣ How long that shine lasts

This is where silicone quality makes all the difference. And this is also where my molds really stand out.

To show you exactly what I mean, I did two comparison tests: between my mold and a mold made from another widely used “high-quality” silicone, between my mold and another mold maker's mold. These tests were done with floral preservation artists in mind because when you're working with such sentimental blooms, you want the cleanest and glossiest results possible.

 Test 1: Make as many casts as possible until a mold fails

  • Molds used: small ring holder molds
  • Silicones: mine vs. another popular high-quality silicone
  • Resin: 1:1 casting resin (iCoat CE4100 HV), 1–2 layers per pour, no heat used

Results:

  • My mold: yielded 24 casts; the 24th cast was still shiny, though silicone stuck slightly at the opening
  • Other mold: yielded 26 casts, but the shine started to lose around cast #10. The 26th and final cast was completely matte.

Test 2: 10 casts using harsh 2:1 resin

  • Molds used: AaJMolds round coaster mold, another mold maker’s round coaster mold
  • Resin: 2:1 resin (iCoat TP21), single-layer pours, no heat

Results:

  • My mold: Shine remained through the 10th cast, with only a small reduction from the first
  • Other mold: Shine faded by the 3rd cast and was fully matte by the 10th

The takeaway?

My molds are built to last, in durability and shine. That lasting shine means less sanding, less polishing, and more time creating. And let’s be honest, nobody loves post-processing. I put in the work upfront, so you don’t have to later.

Whether you're preserving wedding flowers, memorial blooms, or casting resin art, I hope these test results give you confidence in the value of my molds. They’re made with care, precision, and the goal of making your workflow easier and your results more beautiful.

Warmly,

Phi

 

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