I am working on developing something that has a piece of latex folded up. Please can someone suggest a completely non-toxic substance to prevent latex sticking together?

Talcuum Powder is no good - its toxic.
Vaselene - is this completely safe?
Any other transparent substance that would prevent the layers of latex staying flexible and smooth and not sticking together?

Hope you can help please.

Thank you.

Cornstarch is edible, and has similar properties to talc.

CORRECTION:

My apologies but I noticed an error in the wording of my original question:

"Any other transparent substance that would prevent the layers of latex staying flexible and smooth and not sticking together?"
SHOULD READ:
"Any other transparent substance that would allow the latex to stay flexible and smooth and prevent the layers of latex sticking together?"


Hope that clarifies things.


p.s. Thanks for the cornstarch idea, I'll look into it.
But are there any other more oily substances that may stay on the latex more permanently than cornstarch?

Vegetable oil, Kay-Y, Gig-a-loo ( I think it's written like that).

How about PAM cooking spray, or soemthing similar? That can't be toxic.

Many hardware stores sell a product called PLASTI-DIP... in a spray can. If you can't get it in the UK, I'd be surprise.. but you CAN mail order it.

Get the CLEAR spray.. spray your latex. Let dry.

It doesn't take a heavy coat.. just a light mist.. sometimes in more than one coat.

It will solve your problems.. even if the prop gets wet.

Anything Petroleum based.. vaseline or W-D 40 or whatever.. will rot your latex surprisingly fast.

Honestly, you don't want anything oil based... it will eat the paint on the prop.. and generally isn't good for it.

Cornstarch baby powder will work, but it has to be repeated fairly often.. and can cause a "poof" of dust whenever the air comes out of the prop. For many reasons, I prefer cornstarch baby powder to talc when I'm making masks and props for my business. (www.makeupguy.com)

Thanks for your help everyone and for the detailed and informed answer Makeupguy. Yes Plasti-Dip is available in UK, they appear to be based in Hampshire. Unfortunately I have now read the Safety Data Sheet for the product you suggest and it isn't pretty reading, it appears to be toxic and carcenagenic.

However I notice you discount 'oil based' products because they will destroy the paint on the latex. But I am just using unpainted latex so I wonder will a safe, non-toxic oil based product work do you think?

Thanks to Chance and Taiga for the suggestions on Cooking type products, this is the type of everyday 'safe' substance that I am hoping will work.
Any other susggestions or does anyone else have any experience and advice they can lend please?

Thank you.

Are you going to be eating from the prop? If you are.. you're far better off casting it in a Food Safe Platinum Silicone than latex.

Once the Plasti-dip dries.. it's inert. It's only the liquid form that's toxic. I spray it outside.. and let it dry outside. I use it to seal the paint on my rubber fruit, and once dried.. it creates an inert non-sticky very nice sheen.

the ONLY completely non-toxic substance that I'm aware of is the corn starch baby powder... but it will need to be re-applied... and will almost certainly create a cloud of dust whenever the prop is collapsed.

Nothing oil based.. vegetable or petroleum will be good for the latex in the long run. Even silicone oil will eventually break down the latex.

Thanks Makeupguy.
The prop will be in my mouth sometime so I am seeking a substance that is non-toxic/non-carcinogenic and which won't congeal when it comes into contact with saliva.

Oh and the other thing I forgot to add is that the prop is fairly cheap and easy to make, can be remade after every few performances if necessary. The issue to ensuring that it doesn't stick together as much as it is at present.

Can't you just describe the prop? It'll probably help in the long run.

If it's going in your mouth.. I'd DEFINATELY use the Plasti-dip. It's the only think I can think of that will be waterproof.. and once dry, is completely non-toxic AND won't taste bad.

Again... I think you might be better off to make the gimmick out of silicone.. if you can't do it.. I can. Or, I can help you with it.. that way.. you have a gimmick that will last longer, and won't be toxic.. and you won't have to powder!

Have you considered the suitability of other materials? I'd hesitate to suggest any without knowing the purpose, but there may be other possibilities that are non-toxic, and more durable (and less sticky.)

By the way, repeated exposure to latex may eventually cause some people to develop an allergy to it. (Happens on occasion to nurses and doctors.)

Makeupguy may be right- and you can get both food-grade and medical grade silicone. You'll probably want medical grade, since it'll be in your mouth. (Food-grade is suitable for instances where it will come into contact with food.)

Hello again folks. Good thanks to all those who made suggestions and offers on this topic, your advice and thinking led me to a solution that I already had here at home. Thank you and an Honourary Pretend Nobel Prize is awarded to Taiga who suggested Kay-Y - although I didn't use KY in the end but I tried a water soluble sex aid but it was too slimy but that led me to the good old jar of Vaselene (Petroleum Jelly) which did the trick.

I do recognise that a petroleum based product will be bad for the latex in the long run as Makeupguy pointed out, but my chief concern is not the latex prop which is very disposable and easy to make, my chief concern is that I am putting a safe product into my mouth that isn't known to harm me, and Vaselene is thoroughly tested to ensure it is safe to use internally. And it prevented the latex sticking together so has done its job.

I like the silicon based prop ideas though. If this ever becomes a commercial prop I may contact you to make a silicon version. Thanks for your help and wisdom.


Thank you,



Victoria.

The idea of Vaseline in your mouth sounds awful.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2TKA7VBfYA

Especially when you mix it with human hair.