Our mold release agents help productivity by improving or eliminating sticking parts, cracking, build-up, and more. While these release agents are a fundamental mold solution for the manufacturing process of molded parts, they can sometimes leave a residue, mainly when using a conventional silicone or sacrificial wax coating.

To clean any remaining residue from a completed part, you’ll need to know which mold release agent you are using and the resin being molded. Talk to an expert today at Stoner Molding Solutions to learn more about how our mold release agents are designed to reduce post-mold prep work.

Choose the Right Mold Release

When using a mold release agent from Stoner Molding, there are three primary types.

• A silicone or sacrificial wax coating will transfer the mold release agent onto the product after unmolding, meaning you may need to clean the product before a secondary application.
• A semi-permanent mold release cross-links and cures to the mold for multiple releases per application, significantly reducing the need to clean a part before proceeding to the next step in the manufacturing process.
• Finally, if the part needs post-production applications, like gluing, painting, and welding, you’ll need to use a mold release designed for that secondary decorating step.

To eliminate the need for cleaning molded products after production, choose a semi-permanent mold release or use one designed for the next post-production activity, like a paintable release.

If you use sacrificial mold release agents and want to clean those parts after the molding process, we have various solvent- and water-based cleaners to consider. Be aware that if there is a lot of mold release on your finished product, you likely applied too much of it.

Use a Paintable Mold Release for Plastic Parts

Stoner Molding recommends using a paintable mold release for the plastics industry, like Stoner E302 Rocket Release. This product is the most paintable release available, allowing the molded parts to proceed to secondary painting, stamping, bonding, or other applications without the need to clean the piece.

If your molded part doesn’t require a secondary application, use a silicone-based mold solution. If there is a residue that needs cleaned on the molded part, use mild dish soap and a hot water bath. Immerse the molded parts into this bath, which will cause the silicone to rise to the top of the surface. Skim away the silicone and give the pieces a final hot water rinse. Let them air dry or use compressed air for drying. You can also use isopropyl alcohol to remove silicone-based mold release.

Removing Mold Release from Rubber Parts

Like plastic parts, we recommend using a mold release that doesn’t require cleaning before rubber parts head to a secondary application, like metal bonding. A water-based mold release, like Stoner Molding Solutions’ TraSys® water-based release products, is a semi-permanent mold release. Therefore, you shouldn’t require additional cleaning before the molded products head to a secondary application.

However, if you find a remaining mold release residue on your molded products, it may need extra curing time or more heat for the mold release to evaporate entirely. Read this Knowledge Base article for more information on making the switch to water-based mold release from a solvent-based release.

If you use a sacrificial mold release for your molding process, clean any extra residue left on the molded part with Stoner’s A320 All Purpose Mold Cleaner. It quickly cuts through the mold release, grease, oil, and other residues to leave your molded part clean.

How to Clean Composite Molded Parts

Composite molded parts typically don’t need cleaning before a secondary application. Manufacturers of composite parts will often use a semi-permanent mold release to eliminate the need to clean the piece before painting. Sometimes, they include paint in the molding process, or the part needs sanding before curing.

Other times, composite molds use a wax-based mold release. Since it is a sacrificial mold solution, it can transfer some of the wax onto the molded product. Any extra residue on the molded part after the molding process can be removed using a degreaser and following the instructions from the manufacturer.

If you use a high-quality wax release, like Stoner Molding Solutions’ P52314 Honey Wax Mold Release Premium Paste, you’ll find that it is effortless to wipe off both the mold itself and the molded product.

Cleaning Polyurethane Molded Parts

A mold solution for polyurethane products is Stoner’s P53601 Kantstik Mold Cleaner. Apply the cleaner directly to the part and wipe it off thoroughly with a paper towel. Tear off a piece of masking tape and test adhesion to the molded product.

If excess mold release remains on the product, the masking tape won’t stick. In this case, apply additional cleaner and use a soft abrasive pad to scrub the surface while wet. Don’t reuse paper towels, as you’ll wipe the residual mold release back on the product.

Choose the Right Mold Solutions Products

When you choose the right mold solutions for your molding process, you’ll find you can reduce the time needed to clean molded parts before heading to secondary applications. The industry-leading products Stoner Molding Solutions provides are specifically designed to minimize prep work before beginning post-molding operations. Use Stoner E408 Dry Film Mold Release a sacrificial mold release containing no silicone, oils, or waxes. This mold release is great for molding silicone rubber, and most molded parts don’t require cleaning before heading to secondary applications in the molding process.

Another product is the Stoner E436 Mold Release & Ejector Pin Lube, which is a paintable release agent. You can use it for plastics or rubber molds. This mold release agent allows the parts to be painted, plated, hot stamped, or decorated after molding. Remember, choosing the right mold release product will help minimize the amount of cleaning needed before heading to post-molding applications.

Talk to an expert today at Stoner Molding Solutions to learn more about our practical, high-quality mold solutions to improve your company’s molding process.