How to create a foam latex puppet? Part 2: Foam Latex

Now your mould is complete it is now time to make the foam to go into your moulds.

Kane Duncan one of our assistant second years, helped us greatly with this particular part of the project. Images mainly showing him completing the different aspects of creating the foam puppets. 

Step 1

Firstly apply a release agent to both halves of the mould, allow the solution to dry and then remove any excess bits from the mould. 

Step 2

Shake all the bottles before mixing, as the solution may have congealed and therefore may make the mixing process go wrong. 

Step 3

Measure exactly 12 grams of Gelling agent, into a separate container (this solution will be added later on)

Step 4

Add 150g of High solid latex (the base of the entire solution) into the mixing bowl.

Then add 30g of foaming agent, and then 15 g of curing agent all into the same bowl. Ensuring you have all the correct measurements for each compound. 

Step 5

For 30 seconds gradually increase the mixers speed to maximum, leave at this level for about 3 minitues. Need to make sure the timing for each aspect is correct, again so the mixture doesn't go wrong. 

Step 6

When 3 minutes of mixing is complete now reduce the mixing speed to the lowest gage, and leave for about 4 minutes. 

Step 7

Once the 4 minutes is complete add the 12g of gel agent to the mixing bowl, over a 30 second period time.

Step 8

Once complete remove the whisk and scoop around the bowl to ensure you have all the mixture in the middle. 

WARNING: Do not scoop the mixture excessively as adding vast amounts of air will create large air bubbles. Creating gaps in the foam latex puppet in the end.

Step 9

Now apply the foam mixture into both halves of the mould, ensuring there is enough mixture in all the different areas. Now place your armature into the mixture, ensuring all the limbs and more importantly the finger joints are in the correct place.

Step 10

Now place the two halves of the mould together, applying some pressure to make sure the halves  meet correctly. Don't be alarmed if some of the mixture seeps from the sides, this suggest there was enough foam solution.

Step 11

Now place the moulds into a pre-heated over (160F) and leave to cook for about 2 1/2 hours to 3 hours, if your mould is particularly large leave in for about 3-4 hours.

Step 12

Once the time has past, take out the moulds and leave until they are at a comfortable heat to handle. Once cooled down, generally try to prise the two halves apart. Once open your puppet show look something like the image above.

Step 13

Now carefully peal the foam away from the moulds, the end result will look something like the image above. 

This is the end of 'How to create a foam latex puppet?'
Stay tuned for more post about this current project.