Shopping Resin eye plaster/gypsum on taobao?

I got some eyes on Taobao that were translated as being made of "plaster". I wasn't sure what that meant either but they were so affordable that I went for it. To me they are indistinguishable from resin eyes. It's been over a year and the eyes haven't deteriorated in any noticeable way, they're still super shiny and the whites haven't yellowed. I will say that they included one pair of complimentary eyes, and I'm pretty sure the iris on those faded and changed color after a few months (perhaps they were an experiment and that's why they were free). But that probably has more to do with the pigments used to color the iris, than what the eye itself is made of. So, I still don't know what's up with them being made of "plaster" but they seem to be high quality eyes! (I got mine from lvren)

 

(source, am chinese speaker). The newest thing in the chinese market when it comes to resin eyes is using white plaster of paris (or gypsum depending on translation) as the base of the eye instead of resin. The reason behind this is that the old resin that majority of the artists/companies are using tend to yellow very very quickly (bright lemon yellow in a year or two, partly due to the fact that the eyes need to go under a uv llght to cure the clear coating). So inorder to counteract this, they are now using a plaster base for the whites of the eyes (which does not really yellow/react to uv). The entire eye is then coated in a clear layer of uv resin so the eyes should feel like as if it was made entirely out of resin.

I don't think this should matter much with it comes to the quality/longevity of the eyes (as this is intended as an improvement on the materials). But if you prefer to have the eye whites made of resin, just avoid listing that state plaster/gypsum in the listing description.

 

I found this video in Chinese that talks about the differences between resin eyes and plaster eyes.

• resin and plaster refers to the base, both will have a layer of UV resin poured into the eye to fill in the iris and create the dome of the eye
• plaster does not yellow, unlike resin, however, the part with the UV resin might still yellow over time (though the yellowing will probably be miminal)
• the eye whites of resin eyes can be made transparent, translucent or have things embedded in them, plaster eyes only come in solid colours
• it's easier to carve realistic irises on resin and takes more skill to carve on plaster
• some people might be worried about plaster being more fragile and easy-to-break and also getting mouldy, however, if the plaster eyes are properly sealed, this shouldn't be a problem

 

This stuff is what I use to make eyes and small props! So, the translation from Chinese translates to 'plaster', but the material is actually closer to jesmonite (or resincrete). It's similar to plaster in that it's powder based and activated with water, but it's got higher shore hardness and when cured it has a feel that's like a mix between resin and plaster. It takes about 30 minutes to cure for smaller pieces like eyes, and when it's first demolded it has a feel closer to plaster and has that kind of fragility that plaster has, but after it cures completely (usually 24 hours after demold) it is much harder and feels more like resin. You can work with this stuff right out of the mold before it's finished completely curing, tho I like to wait at least a couple hours after demold so it can offgas most of the moisture which can sometimes interfere with uv resin. It's actually a much nicer (and less messy) material and I prefer it over AB or UV resin.

Edit: This stuff also holds up really well, it's super bright white and does not yellow (I tested it against uv and ab resin against sunlight and a uv light). Youd have to be pretty rough with this material for it to break.

 

@Human-Doll Wow, that sounds awesome! I would do more research before using it myself, but can I ask you what it's like to cast with this material? Do you need to be in a ventilated area/wear a mask like when casting resin? Do you get air bubbles like with resin? I'm getting into making eyes, but I've been buying premade eye bases because honestly I cannot be bothered to cast resin myself, it just seems very fussy and annoying. Wondering if this plaster/resincrete is easier to work with! Also would you mind divulging what brand/product you use?

 

I actually love casting with this stuff! It mixes super easy; The brand I use is resincrete! You can get it on Amazon and a single bag of it will last you FOREVER. You just mix the powder and water in a 10:3 ratio and it's ready to pour. I mix very small batches at a time just so I don't accidently waste a bunch of product if it starts to cure while I'm pouring. There's no fumes either (although the powder is very fine so it floats a little bit. It's non toxic but I still wear a mask jic). There's barely any bubbles after mixing, it's got the consistency of milk so any bubbles float to the top and are easy to pop. You will still get the occasional air pocket in the finer details of mold like around the iris, but they're very easy to pick out with a toothpick before it starts to set.
I've always hated using AB resin and uv resin is still frustrating and sticky I probably sound like an ad at this point but this stuff has really been a game changer. If you have any more questions you can send me a message!

 

@Human-Doll Oooooh, thank you so much for this information I'll have to try it out!