Easy-Set Face System Instructions:

Preparation for Mounting:

To prepare the skin to use the Easy-Set Face System, split the lips and eyelids leaving about 1/8"' for tucking. There are two options with the whiskers. One is to pluck the whiskers and shave the whisker bulbs off on the inside of the skin, then reinserting them into the mount after the finish work is completed. This will create the best finished mount however; this method is more difficult. The other method is to leave the whiskers attached and simply flesh around the whisker bases.

The ears will need to be turned. Make sure the flaps on the edge are turned too. The ear liners designed to go with these forms are cartilage liners so the cartilage doesn't need to be removed. However the cartilage does need to be trimmed flush with the bottom of the liners.

The Easy-Set Face System has a finished reproduction nose already installed so the nose on the skin will need to be trimmed to fit the reproduction nose. Cut at the hairline from the top center, then around the sides into the nostrils. Do not remove the lower portion of the pad (diagram 1).

When preparing the Easy-Set System for mounting, lightly rough up the surface of the form so the hide paste can stick. Then using a 5/64" drill bit in a Dremel cut in the lip slot expanding to a tear drop / oval at the corners. Also cut a slot in the foam part from the bottom of the nose to the upper lip in the center so the crease in the skin just below the nose can be tucked.

To set the eyes, start with two pea size balls of clay and roll them into cylinders about 3/4" long. Stick them to the center of the eye platform on the foam piece of the head. Place the glass eyes over the clay and firmly press into position (diagram 2).

Place a small ball of oil clay in the corners of the mask and press into place (diagram 3).

Eye Setting Tips:

Note: Oil Clay allows adjustment later if needed.

• Top of pupils should tip inward slightly.

• Set the focus of the eyes slightly outward. If the focus of the eyes is on the nose once the skin is in place the mount can have a cross-eyed look.

• Set mask on head and cheek the focus.

• DO NOT attach mask on head with glue, screws, etc.! By not securing the mask permanently, adjustments can be made during the mounting process as explained later.

Mounting:

The first step in the mounting process is the ears. Place a pea size ball of clay into the tab in the ears. Then, apply hide paste to the ear liners and insert into the skin. Next pull the skin over the head and align the skin, checking reference points as you go; ears, top of nose, muzzle, corners of the eyes, chin, corners of the mouth, and upper lips. If skin fits properly, proceed with hide paste.

Note: Latex caulk works well. You may wish to sew the neck closed before caulking head area (if there is a neck incision on the skin). Pump some caulk under jaws, into cheek areas, between ears, and some on muzzle area. Q-Tips work well for spreading the caulk as you proceed. Avoid the upper nose area. Gently lift the nose of the mask enough to tuck the lower nose pad under it. The artificial nose will help to hold the skin in position. Note: The Easy-Set mask does not have to be glued permanently during the mounting process. It will lock in place as the hide paste and skin dries.

Locate corners of mouth and pin into the slot. Tuck center of upper lips into Nose/Lip slot. Tuck upper lips from center to back corners. Lift the chin into position and tuck the lower lips from the center, then to the corners.

Align the major reference points of the face (eyebrows, inside and outside corners of eyes). Tuck the inside corner and continue across lower lid to outside corner. The outside corner should align with the crease at back edge of glass eye. Tuck upper lid starting with inside corner. The upper lid should flow above lower lid and into the crease, creating a continuous hair pattern-line out and down to cheeks. Pin at the corners if needed.

Work caulk around the ear-butt areas. Insert a tool or fingertip into the ear-butt opening and align it with the pocket on the head form. You may adjust the ears to the preferred rotation and pin if desired. Adjust eyebrows and skin on top and side of head. Groom the hair patterns to match creases and tuft ridges. Adjust the hair patters on muzzle and nose detail (diagram 4).

Tuck and pin into nostril openings. Check the fit on the top edge of the nose; adjust if necessary. Lift the skin slightly on the seam at the top edge of the nose where the skin and artificial nose come together and super glue the seam. This is the only point that the joint between the skin and the artificial nose require gluing. Clean eyes, eyelids, lips, etc. with acetone. Acetone works very well to clean up latex caulking. DO NOT use acetone on the painted nose.