Masilla modelar Fimo Air, secado microondas, color

Water based modelling materials „harden“ through the drying process – i.e. through the removal of the water it contains. This is usually accomplished at room temperature by means of evaporation into the air, a process that, depending on the size of the model, can take at least 24 hours to fully complete. Any attempt to speed up the drying process of air-dried modelling materials by means of a microwave or baking oven is not recommended because the material will dry out at the surface thereby making it impossible for the water vapours on the interior to escape (diffuse) and this can lead to cracks, bubbles or even a complete deterioration of the object being formed.

Microwave-hardening modelling materials are also water-based. But these contain additional fillers, salts and evaporation retardants that prevent the outer surface from curing first in a microwave and therefore allow a thorough curing in a very short space of time (about 10 minutes for every 100 grams of material). Microwave-hardening modelling materials can also be air-dried.

Fimo Air Microwave is a ready-to-use, very lightweight water-based modelling material that can be cured in a microwave or in the air and subsequently reworked, as you desire.

When model making or doing particularly delicate work with this clay, tools like WOOD MODELLING TOOLS or A MODELLING KNIFE are very helpful. It is best to employ a sheet of foil as a working base because this will make removing your modelled piece from its substrate that much easier while at the same time keeping your workbench clean. When taking a work break it is necessary to moisten your partially finished model with water and cover it in an airtight manner in order to prevent it from drying out in the interlude. Even when attaching pieces or during any other model making work it is advisable to keep both the surface and your hands wet for the whole time.

It is important to note that if you plan on curing your Fimo Air Microwave model in the microwave, you should NOT employ any extraneous materials like styropor or chicken wire (for stabilization purposes)!

Fimo Air Microwave must be cured within one hour of the model’s completion (in a microwave this will take about 10 minutes at 600 watts for every 100 grams of modelling material). A model that has already dried in the air may not be then cured again in the microwave. You must put a microwave-safe plastic bowl of water in with your model during the curing process in order to assure an even curing result and to avoid any overheating. You should not exceed 20 minutes at a time in the microwave. In the case of larger models you will have to repeat the curing process as needed, making sure to make 5-minute pauses between sessions. If a white coating appears on the surface of your object after the curing (salt), it can be removed with a wet cloth. The salt will, in the case of a terracotta coloured model, affect a natural looking clay appearance if left in place. The resultant model will be dimensionally stable and will have shrunk very little (<5%).

Further work on your piece (drilling, gluing, painting, varnishing) can begin after your piece has completely cured and cooled down. Painting work can be done with HANDICRAFT PAINTS, refining or finishing work with METAL LEAF if you desire.