How do you preseve insects with a fake tree sap?

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I have a couple of insects that I would like to preserve. Years ago a friend of mine had a chemical recipe to preserve insects like they had been in hardend tree sap.

 

My question is that if any one knows how to make a fake amber or crystal that preserves insects. My friends solution which I don't have used house hold ingredients and was molded to fit a shape around the insect.

 

So if anyone knows any way to do this, please share the directions.

[mmalluck]

You want some clear, or mostly clear casting resin. Casting resin is a special two part epoxy you can get at craft stores and the like.

 

You can also find it online, a quick google picked up this place: http://www.creative-wholesale.com/casting%20resin.html

 

As you can see you can add dyes and what not to make it look like amber if you like.

 

Here's a how-to for casting insects:

http://www.atshq.org/articles/rhysresin.pdf

 

Before you cast any the insects you like, I suggest you play with the mixture. There's an art to how much hardner you should use for a given mold. Too little hardener and the stuff stays tacky. Too much and it'll heat up, crack the plastic, and/or cook the insect. You also have to mix this stuff really, really well or you'll end up with gooey spots.

 

All this is in the how-to. Give it a look it has some good pointers.

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Thanks for the info. I am going to attempt it in the future. I like how you can get different molds.

 

If the stuff turns out to tacky you could probably buff it down with a dremel tool.

 

I got a couple insects that are a little interesting in good condition. I have a mosquito that is over an inch long. Also I got a moth that has an interesting wing pattern.

 

I want the preserver to preserve them as well as have something anyone can pick up in their hand and view the insects.

 

Again, thanks for the response and good info.