Demoulding Disasters: Why Your Resin Moulds Tear and How to Prevent It?

You know that mini heart attack when you’re finally demoulding your resin piece after hours (or days) of waiting… and RIP! The mould tears, your design is half stuck, and your soul leaves your body for 2 seconds.

Resin art looks glamorous on Instagram reels, but behind every perfect coaster or keychain is a creator who has silently screamed, “Ye kya ho gaya?” If you’ve been there, welcome to the club. If you haven’t, stick around, you’ll thank us later.

Let’s decode why your resin moulds tear (yes, there are solid science-y reasons) and, more importantly, how you can stop butchering your poor moulds in the future.

The Real Culprits Behind Resin Mould Tears

Let’s not blame "bad luck" every time. Your mould isn’t tearing because it hates you. It’s usually one of these villains at play:

1. Old Mould Syndrome (OMS, if you want to sound fancy)

Silicone moulds age, like all things. With every use, the flexibility drops. Micro-tears build up, elasticity reduces, and one fine day, it just gives up. You can’t expect a mould from 2020 to behave like new in 2025. Life doesn't work like that.

2. Skipping Mould Release – The Classic ‘Chalega’ Attitude

Many beginners skip mould release sprays, thinking, “Arey, nikal hi jayega.” Until it doesn’t. Resin is clingy by nature. Without a release agent, it grabs onto the silicone for dear life. You pull, you tug, and... you know what happens next.

3. The “I Can Eyeball The Ratio” Mistake

Mixing resin and hardener is not andaaz se cooking. Slight imbalance? Boom! sticky, uncured pockets inside your cast. And when you try to unmould, the sticky bits behave like Fevicol ka mazboot jod, tearing your mould in the process.

4. Heat Gun Overkill

Heat guns and torches are great for popping bubbles. But if you get carried away trying to make it “perfectly clear”, you might end up overheating the mould itself. Excess heat weakens silicone over time, making it prone to future tears.

5. Cheap Mould = Costly Mistake

Your mould is literally the foundation of your art. Those random Insta-shop moulds made for chocolates or soap? Not always resin-safe. Substandard moulds can’t handle resin’s exothermic reactions and fail after just a few pours.

How To Prevent Resin Mould Tears (And Save Your Sanity)

Now that we’ve exposed the problem makers, let’s get into action mode. Prevention is, in fact, much easier (and cheaper) than replacing torn moulds every other week.

1. Invest in High-Quality Resin-Safe Moulds

Start with good moulds from the get-go. Professional-grade silicone moulds designed for resin may cost a bit more, but they last longer, tolerate heat better, and flex beautifully during demoulding.

2. Never Skip Mould Release (Even For Small Casts)

A light layer of mould release spray = smooth demoulding + longer mould life. It's like oiling your dosa pan. You can live without it, but why would you?

3. Respect The Ratio. Always.

Don’t “eyeball” measurements. Use a proper scale or measuring cup. Mix thoroughly, scraping the sides and bottom. Incomplete mixing = uneven curing = resin clings where it shouldn’t.

4. Gentle Heat Only

Wave your torch or heat gun lightly over the surface, not inches away like you're roasting marshmallows. Silicone hates the heat for too long.

5. Rotate Your Moulds

If you're doing bulk bunch orders or casting regularly, give your mould some rest days. Continually using one mould decreases its life.

6. Clean & Store Correctly

After demoulding, wash your mould super gently with mild soap and warm water. Store flat, away from sunlight, dust-free. Treat your moulds like your precious sarees or your one good kurta for weddings.

Conclusion: Because No Artist Deserves To Cry At Demoulding

Let’s be honest, nothing kills your mood like a torn mould. Resin art is supposed to be therapeutic, not traumatic. Once you start following these few simple rules, you’ll see how easy, smooth, and drama-free demoulding becomes.

And if you’re wondering where to find top-quality moulds, resin kits, and tools that’ll make your art journey so much easier, that’s exactly why Tulsi Resin exists. We’ve seen all the resin blunders, so you don’t have to repeat them.

Happy pouring, happy demoulding, and zero tears!