I've used flex- wax for years and I would never hold a hand in for 30 seconds!
I tell them to dip and take out immediately, then dunk again ,(sometime a
third dunk) then cold water. I had a girl years ago who ( this only happened
once - thank goodness) who had really heat sensitive skin. She ended up with
really red skin and believe me I really monitor the temp and check it with my
hand before anyone else dips in to the can. The students also put ther hand
in cold water for about 30 to 60 sec. to chill the hand , then lubricate it (
Pam spray works well too)before dipping. Also never force a kid to do it. I
know of an art teacher who ended up with a law suit over that issue insisting
a girl use her own hand.
This is absloutely one of my 8th graders favorite things to do- cast hands in
flex wax, but you do need safety preccautions.
MaryB
Ann Ayers wrote:
> Marsha -
> I'm new to this forum but, your question about plaster hands caught my
> eye.
> I have used wax, called "flex wax" to create plaster hands with my
> students. You heat the block of wax in a crockpot and when it is melted
> and cooled for about a half hour, you lightly vasoline your hand and dip
> the "posed" hand into the melted wax. The first time you dip your hand
> in, you can "feel the heat" from the melted wax. After about 30 seconds
> of holding your hand in the wax, you plunge your hand into a cold bucket
> of water.
