Molded latex

Molded latex is made by dipping a cast in molten latex (often in the color black, red or transparent).

Afterwards, the cast is dried and then baked (vulcanized) in an oven. Then the finished product can be pulled off the cast and is turned inside out at the same time. Industrial-scale manufacturers use air nozzles embedded in the cast to "lift" the latex off the cast for easy removal and for an even application of talcum powder or other substances to stop the latex from sticking to itself while in storage.

Before the liquid latex cures sufficiently, it will flow as pulled by gravity. This process can cause areas of uneven thickness and even weak spots in the finished product. To alleviate this, some manufacturers use rotating racks to keep the net effect near zero. This is in contrast to latex sheeting, which is normally produced flat and where gravity acts to make the surface even, provided that the platform on which the liquid material is flowing over is smooth and perfectly horizontal.

Quality of the cast surface defines the quality of the latex surface and any surface imperfections are duplicated in great detail on the finished product. For this reason, ceramic or metal casts are often used for large scale production lines - smoothing other materials sufficiently by sanding is a daunting task and the expected use count for such much lower.

Notable uses

Gloves

All fetish, household and industrial rubber gloves are produced by molding. Even if it were possible to glue gloves out of strips of latex, in the way that real leather gloves are stitched, it would most likely prove to be infeasible.

Hoods

Some manufacturers have specialized in hoods of elaborate designs and use three dimensional molding to get a seamless construction and a good fit, provided that the wearer's head is close to the cast used. This allows for extra thick materials in the finished product. With good care the material thickness can be sufficient for prolonged life and enhanced visual appearance.

Low cost clothing

The cheapest brands have items made by molding. The main difference from more expensive masks is their use of (nearly) two dimensional molds. This leads to less than optimal fit and visible edges (which fortunately in almost all cases smooth out once the garment is put on). The edges where the latex has cured over a steeply curved surface are even more likely to exhibit weak spots.

Sizing

Low cost molded latex clothing items are often sold under various brand names even when produced in the same factory. As such the reseller-supplied size tables are sometimes contradictory or vague, unlike with tailored latex items where the producer has specifically calculated the appropriate sizing. For some this is not a problem, as the body measurements are sufficiently close to median people and choosing the same size as with normal clothing is sufficient. To help others - say, with a bottom larger than their bosom - choose the right size some known-to-fit measurements (and known-not-to fit!) can be collected.

See also [ Moulded latex/sizes ]

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