52 How To Make Fish Mounts 



mold. It is more economical because there is no loss of wax 

 over the sides, and the cast is of uniform thickness throughout. 



As soon as the mold is taken out of the hot water, apply the 

 soap quickly so that the mold remains warm during the applica- 

 tion of wax. No drops of water should be in the mold; dab them 

 out with a piece of cotton. Now pour or brush in the hot wax. 

 If pouring, tilt the mold from side to side so that the wax will 

 reach all parts and crevices. Pour the excess wax back into the 

 pot. Repeat the process immediately, and repeat again until the 

 cast has attained a thickness of about )k to % inch. Before remov- 

 ing the cast from the mold, it should be reinforced with two or 

 three layers of gauze which have first been dipped in the pot of 

 wax. (Include the tail and fins in the reinforcement process 

 unless the wax fins will be replaced with fins constructed out of 

 Celluloid or other plastic material. ) Brush more wax onto the 

 gauze until it is well impregnated with wax. Be sure the wax is 

 hot enough to penetrate the gauze completely so that it will 

 stick to the surface beneath the gauze; otherwise, the gauze will 

 act as a separating medium between the two layers of wax. 



Absorbent cotton can be used instead of the gauze. First, 

 spread a thin layer of cotton over the entire cast including fins 

 and tail, and then brush the wax over the cotton. If the cast 

 needs to be strengthened even more, this can be accomplished 

 by applying plaster of Paris. Dip gauze, tow, strips of loose 

 burlap, or other fibrous material into the plaster and apply it to 

 the cast. 



If brushing wax into the mold ( the better method ) instead of 

 pouring, use a small varnish brush. Of course, bring the pot of 

 wax to the mold so that the brush can be dipped quickly from 

 the pot to the mold. Reinforce the brushed cast the same way 

 as the poured cast. 



As a base for inserting screw eyes or hooks for hanging pur- 

 poses, place a piece of wood in back of the cast and anchor it 

 with cotton dipped in hot wax. A couple of nails tapped into 

 the sides of the wood so that their heads protrude about an 

 inch will provide good spots to attach the cotton. The cotton 

 can be placed in position dry, and then the wax can be applied 



