HOME

TheInfoList



OR:

Liquid latex is a compound often used for
special effect Special effects (often abbreviated as F/X or simply FX) are illusions or visual tricks used in the theatre, film, television, video game, amusement park and simulator industries to simulate the fictional events in a story or virtual world. ...
s
makeup Cosmetics are substances that are intended for application to the body for cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness, or altering appearance. They are mixtures of chemical compounds derived from either natural sources or created sy ...
,
body painting Body painting is a form of body art where artwork is painted directly onto the human skin. Unlike tattoos and other forms of body art, body painting is temporary, lasting several hours or sometimes up to a few weeks (in the case of mehndi or ...
, mask making, and casting applications.


Composition

Liquid latex is usually made of 33%
latex Latex is an emulsion (stable dispersion) of polymer microparticles in water. Latices are found in nature, but synthetic latices are common as well. In nature, latex is found as a wikt:milky, milky fluid, which is present in 10% of all floweri ...
, 66%
water Water is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula . It is a transparent, tasteless, odorless, and Color of water, nearly colorless chemical substance. It is the main constituent of Earth's hydrosphere and the fluids of all known liv ...
, and less than 1%
ammonia Ammonia is an inorganic chemical compound of nitrogen and hydrogen with the chemical formula, formula . A Binary compounds of hydrogen, stable binary hydride and the simplest pnictogen hydride, ammonia is a colourless gas with a distinctive pu ...
(to increase its shelf life and to control the pH of the solution). Liquid latex is sold in volumes ranging from 2
ounce The ounce () is any of several different units of mass, weight, or volume and is derived almost unchanged from the , an Ancient Roman unit of measurement. The avoirdupois ounce (exactly ) is avoirdupois pound; this is the United States ...
s to 1
gallon The gallon is a unit of volume in British imperial units and United States customary units. The imperial gallon (imp gal) is defined as , and is or was used in the United Kingdom and its former colonies, including Ireland, Canada, Australia ...
, and its consistency is similar to latex house paint. Its consistency can be augmented with the use of additives. For example, water can be added to thin the latex, and Aerosil can be added to thicken it. Cosmetic liquid latex contains approximately 0.3% ammonia, while craft and mould-making liquid latex can contain more than double this amount, giving the latter a much stronger odour. Liquid latex is naturally clear, and dries into a translucent amber colour. Manufacturers add pigments to the product to provide opaque paint choices of multiple colours. The colour of the paint in the jar may initially look chalky or pale, but as it dries, it develops into a rich colour (for example, grey becomes black).
Acrylic paint Acrylic paint is a fast-drying paint made of pigment suspended in acrylic polymer emulsion and plasticizers, silicone oils, defoamers, stabilizers, or metal soaps. Most acrylic paints are water-based, but become water-resistant when dry. Dep ...
can be mixed with liquid latex for custom colours, but may not be suitable for use in cosmetic applications. In these situations, liquid makeup or
food coloring Food coloring, color additive or colorant is any dye, pigment, or substance that imparts color when it is added to food or beverages. Colorants can be supplied as liquids, powders, gels, or pastes. Food coloring is commonly used in commercia ...
can be used. As the latex dries, it becomes quite sticky and will stick to itself if accidentally folded over. Most manufacturers offer a slick spray for latex once it is dry to remove tackiness, allowing the movement of the model's limbs. Alternatively, powders can be dusted over dried liquid latex to create metallic effects. One advantage to the tackiness of liquid latex is that it can act as an
adhesive Adhesive, also known as glue, cement, mucilage, or paste, is any non-metallic substance applied to one or both surfaces of two separate items that binds them together and resists their separation. The use of adhesives offers certain advantage ...
for attaching items such as
zipper A zipper (N. America), zip, zip fastener (UK), formerly known as a clasp locker, is a commonly used device for binding together two edges of textile, fabric or other flexible material. Used in clothing (e.g. jackets and jeans), luggage and oth ...
s. Unlike most other body and
face paint Body painting is a form of body art where artwork is painted directly onto the human skin. Unlike tattoos and other forms of body art, body painting is temporary, lasting several hours or sometimes up to a few weeks (in the case of mehndi or "he ...
s, liquid latex is removed by peeling it off, since water does not reactivate it.


Use


Cosmetic/special effects makeup

One jar of liquid latex can typically cover an average human body. It is typically applied using a disposable sponge and takes about five to ten minutes to dry depending on how thick it is applied. As it dries, it solidifies to a rubbery consistency and in the process ends up shrinking by approximately 3%. Removing latex from skin can cause pain or pull body hairs out, similar to
waxing Waxing is the process of hair removal from the root by using a covering of a sticky substance, such as wax, to adhere to body hair, and then removing this covering and pulling out the hair from the follicle. New hair will not grow back in the pr ...
. Even though latex is non-toxic, some people can have an
allergic reaction Allergies, also known as allergic diseases, are various conditions caused by hypersensitivity of the immune system to typically harmless substances in the environment. These diseases include Allergic rhinitis, hay fever, Food allergy, food al ...
to it. The most severe of these happen immediately and are categorized as an immediate
hypersensitivity Hypersensitivity (also called hypersensitivity reaction or intolerance) is an abnormal physiological condition in which there is an undesirable and adverse immune response to an antigen. It is an abnormality in the immune system that causes Imm ...
reaction. Fumes from the ammonia in liquid latex can irritate the eyes when it is used on the face. For this reason, it is recommended that liquid latex be allowed to vent for several minutes before being applied in this way. Appropriate liquid latex safety guidelines should be followed before the cosmetic use of liquid latex. Liquid latex used for special effects makeup projects like scars and gashes incorporate flesh-coloured latex that is applied to the skin and then built up using materials such as
tissue paper Tissue paper, or simply tissue, is a lightweight paper or light crêpe paper. Tissue can be made from recycled pulp (paper), paper pulp on a paper machine. Tissue paper is very versatile, and different kinds are made to best serve these purposes ...
and
cotton Cotton (), first recorded in ancient India, is a soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a boll, or protective case, around the seeds of the cotton plants of the genus '' Gossypium'' in the mallow family Malvaceae. The fiber is almost pure ...
.


Mold making

Liquid Latex is useful for molding due to its flexibility once dried, which allows for the casting of undercut sculpture. There are several methods for making a latex mold, each with numerous variations. Below is a general outline of several methods. In any method of mold making, care must be taken to avoid air bubbles on the first layer of applied latex.


Brush method

First, the original object to be molded (master) is cleaned and dried before being placed onto a non-porous substrate. Next, liquid latex is painted onto the master, leaving the bottom uncovered, but painting out around the base on the substrate. Latex must be painted on in multiple layers, allowing the latex to dry between each one. The drying process can be expedited with the use of a fan or hair dryer. The number of layers applied typically ranges from 8 to 20, though more may be necessary depending on the size of the mold. A latex mold of a chess piece 15cm in height would normally take 8 - 10 coats. Reinforcement, such as burlap, string, or cheesecloth, may be added between layers to strengthen the latex, and prevent tearing during removal from the casting.


Dip method

If your master is porous enough to draw moisture from the latex, you can simply dip the master into the liquid latex to make your mold. After dipping, bubbles may form on the surface of the master. If this happens, pop the bubbles with a brush and re-dip immediately. Allow latex to dry in between dips.


Removing the mold

Once the latex is completely dried, the latex mold is then peeled off, turning the latex mold inside-out in the process. Talcum powder or soapy water should be applied to the outside of the mold before removal, to prevent the latex from sticking to itself. After popping the latex back into its original shape, you can then use the mold to cast the item in your casting medium of choice.


Safety

Due to the presence of
ammonium hydroxide Ammonia solution, also known as ammonia water, ammonium hydroxide, ammoniacal liquor, ammonia liquor, aqua ammonia, aqueous ammonia, or (inaccurately) ammonia, is a solution of ammonia in water. It can be denoted by the symbols NH3(aq). Although ...
, liquid latex may cause skin irritation and eye irritation. The amount of
ammonium Ammonium is a modified form of ammonia that has an extra hydrogen atom. It is a positively charged (cationic) polyatomic ion, molecular ion with the chemical formula or . It is formed by the protonation, addition of a proton (a hydrogen nucleu ...
varies greatly, and depends on the latex's intended use. Liquid Latex intended for mold-making may cause serious eye irritation. If liquid latex gets in your eyes, rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do, and continue rinsing. Latex is also a common
allergen An allergen is an otherwise harmless substance that triggers an allergic reaction in sensitive individuals by stimulating an immune response. In technical terms, an allergen is an antigen that is capable of stimulating a type-I hypersensitivi ...
, and may trigger an allergic reaction in some people. Should liquid latex start on fire, water fog,
foam Foams are two-phase materials science, material systems where a gas is dispersed in a second, non-gaseous material, specifically, in which gas cells are enclosed by a distinct liquid or solid material. Note, this source focuses only on liquid ...
, dry chemical powder, and carbon dioxide are suitable extinguishing media. A water jet should not be used, as this will spread the fire.


See also

*
Latex allergy Latex allergy is a medical term encompassing a range of allergic reactions to the proteins present in natural rubber latex. It generally develops after repeated exposure to products containing natural rubber latex. When latex-containing medical d ...
*
Latex mask A rubber mask is one made of Natural rubber, rubber such as latex or silicone, or a soft plastic like polyvinyl chloride, as a form of theatrical makeup or disguise. Typically, such masks are designed to be pulled over the head, or cover only the ...
*
Prosthetic makeup Prosthetic makeup also known as special makeup effects or FX prosthesis, is the process of using prosthetic sculpting, molding and casting techniques to create advanced cosmetic special effects, effects. Prosthetics are used on stage and screen ...
*
Special effect Special effects (often abbreviated as F/X or simply FX) are illusions or visual tricks used in the theatre, film, television, video game, amusement park and simulator industries to simulate the fictional events in a story or virtual world. ...


References

{{Reflist Body art Rubber Special effects