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PoYo™ Mold Putty Goes to
Ground Zero
To Rescue Architectural Elements
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Constructed in 1924,
The Verizon Building proudly stood in the shadows of The World
Trade Center until September 11. When the Twin Towers
collapsed, the Verizon Building sustained heavy damage and
among the casualties were intricate hand-carved ornaments that
adorned the building’s |
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exterior. |
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Work in Progress: Views of the
Verizon Building
restoration from a distance (left) and close-up.
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| Restoring these ornaments was a
priority and designer/restoration pro, Bob Carpenter, was
given the go-ahead with the expectation that the job would be
done quickly. Less Than Favorable
Conditions: It was mid-October by the time support
structures were in place and work could proceed safely.
However, anyone who makes molds knows that cold weather will
prevent most mold rubbers from curing. The outside temperature
at ground zero in October was about 50°F/10°C during the day -
colder at night. The temperature of the stone elements to
which mold rubber would be applied was no more than 40°F /
4°C. Mr. Carpenter tried a few mold products that did not cure
in the cold. He then called Smooth-On and was turned onto PoYo™
Mold Putty, a mix-and-apply-by-hand silicone.
With PoYo™ , there is no mess, weight
measuring, containers, mixing sticks, etc. Carpenter brought
only the PoYo™ kit to the Verizon
site with hopes that it would work - time was now short. |
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He applied PoYo™
and within minutes had an exact mold negative of the positive
ornament. The rubber was fully cured and strong. And the
rubber released without any surface preparation. His next call
was to Smooth-On to get enough PoYo™ to
finish the job. In the end, 35 molds & support shells were
completed in a short period of time - sizes ranged from 2’ x
3’ to 6’x 6’.
-The Finished castings were perfect. |
Above: Others mixed PoYo while Carpenter
applied it to sections of ornament (left).
Demold (right) was in a matter of minutes. |
 “We
were working in a war zone - needed to get in, make molds and
get out. PoYo Putty did the job for us where others failed and
I am happy to endorse it.”
-Bob
Carpenter, Designer |
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How to Use It ! |
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Smooth-On