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Reduc-It™ Shrinking Mold CompoundWhat is Reduc-It™?Reduc-It™ is a unique positive casting material that uniformly shrinks 50% to create replicas to scale from most models. In a single stage of reduction, a Reduc-It casting shrinks to approximately half its original volume or two-thirds its original size in linear dimensions. You can make further reductions by repeating the pouring and drying process with a mold from the reduced model. Important: Please read the following instructions carefully.

Pouring the Reduc-It™ Model1. Combine two parts water with one part Reduc-It by volume (a rubber

mixing bowl works best for this). Add Reduc-It to the water and blend the mixture.

2. Mix Reduc-It powder and water clockwise and counter-clockwise, occasionally scraping the mixture from the sides of the bowl. It is important to introduce as little air as possible into the mixture to reduce the occurrence of trapped air bubbles. Mix for at least one minute until absolutely smooth. Achieving a smooth mixture is critical for the reducing process. Reduc-It is only workable for up to 10 minutes after contact with water.

3. After mixing, check with a spatula or stirring rod for any remaining lumps of powder. Undetected lumps cause surface defects on your castings as /'they dry. The consistency of the mixture should be thick but fluid enough to pour into your molds.

4. Pour the mixture quickly and carefully into your molds. As you pour, push the mixture against the surface of the mold with your fingers or a brush to ensure good contact with the mold and to avoid trapping air bubbles in fine, detailed areas. • For two-piece molds with intricate detail, coat each half of the mold

separately, then join them and fill the cavity to the top. You can also reach into the mold with a brush to coat the surface of the design.

• Wait at least one hour before unmolding for either large or small pieces.

PleaseNote: Whenever possible, pour Reduc-It™ into a non-porous mold (made of rubber, urethane, silicone or latex). If you must use a porous mold (made of plaster, wood or an organic material), it must be sealed before casting to prevent Reduc-It from sticking to the surface of the mold.

PleaseNote: Reduc-It is only workable for up to 10 minutes after contact with water.

Mix Reduc-It with water (steps 1–3).

Pour into an RTV mold (step 4).

Reduc-It Mold Compound shrinks about 50% by volume, to two-thirds of its original size.

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Drying the Reduc-It Model Either air-dry your newly poured model or place it in a dehydrator to dry. Air-drying works best; however, if time is a factor, a dehydrator provides a fast, controlled method of shrinking Reduc-It™ models. PleaseNote: Do not use an oven or microwave to dry models, as heat distorts Reduc-It.

Air-DryingThe speed of air-drying depends on the relative humidity of the environment. In very humid conditions, mold may grow on the model as it slowly air-dries. To prevent mold from forming on the newly poured model, use a mold inhibitor.

Drying with a DehydratorA dehydrator speeds the drying process (food dehydrators are good for this process). Position your Reduc-It casting upright in the dehydrator. If necessary, lay small wedges of wood under the sides of the model to stabilize it.Once your piece is in the dehydrator, carefully monitor its progress, as it will dry quite rapidly. On castings with variable-size parts, the smaller parts shrink first. Water evaporates more quickly from these smaller parts, but larger areas shrink soon after. Once the entire model has assumed fairly accurate proportions, remove it from the dehydrator and allow it toair-dry for about eight hours. During this time, you may rework the mold to fine-tune details. Periodically check the model at room temperature until it reaches the proper proportions, or put it back in the dehydrator for a couple of hours to complete drying. To avoid over-drying, watch the new model closely while it is in its final stages in the dehydrator.Thin, medallion-type forms may warp as they dry. To avoid warping, build a wall around the edge of the mold about 2" high to add thickness to your model. Please note that adding additional Reduc-It compound to the mold will increase drying and reducing time. An alternative method of preventing warpage is to pour Reduc-It beyond the edge of the mold to create a lip about 1/2" thick. After removing the model from the mold, you may weigh down the lip to keep the model from warping while it dries.

800.545.6566 www.riogrande.comSharing your passion for making jewelry.

Products. Service. Know-how.

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