Hey everyone! I'm working on making wooden soap molds to pour hot soap batter (around 75°C), and I really want a finish that makes the wood as non-stick as possible. I'd prefer not to use wax paper every time since I don't want any crease marks on my soap. Is there a specific type of wood finish that can help with this, or should I consider other materials instead?
3 Answers
If you have the option, consider the type of wood you’re using. Durable woods like ipe can be smoothed out without needing a finish. Just remember that many finishes can struggle with high temperatures like what you’re dealing with. You might want to look into a finish like Waterlox that can withstand heat. Check it out [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/woodworking/comments/168ahsi/whats_the_best_wood_finish_to_resist_heat/) for more info!
Have you thought about using cling film to line the mold? Just wondering if that might work or if it would leave creases too.
Wouldn't that just melt with the hot soap?
The complexity of your mold shapes matters too! For a simple rectangle, you could probably use raw dense wood like hard maple, sanded smooth (around 400 grit) and maybe add a mold release agent. Some users on soap forums suggest options like shellac and wax or even resin-based finishes like a water-thin epoxy. If you're worried about ejection, you could also consider creating your mold in multiple parts to help with that.
It's just a basic long rectangle. I’m cautious about using any release agents since I have sensitive skin and want to avoid anything that might seep into the soap.
I've got some scrapwood laying around, and I think it's oak. Not entirely sure, though.