Does General Foam still make blow molds?
Sadly, after 60 years of plastics production in the USA, the most recognized and largest U.S. maker of blow molds closed its doors in 2017. General Foam Plastics, headquartered in Virginia Beach, shut down its production facilities in Norfolk, Virginia and Tarboro, North Carolina.
What happened to General Foam Plastics?
In January 2018, GFP sold all of its remaining merchandise, and in March, the company officially went defunct and all of its employees were laid off. The Norfolk factory was shut down after 60 plus years of work.
Are blow molds valuable?
The seasonal outdoor decor, known as blow molds, have become increasingly valuable as the companies that made them went out of business and as collectors remember them from their childhood. The price, Barrows said, often depends on the decoration’s size, condition and age.
What is foam blow mold?
JSP’s Foamcore technology is a hybrid combination of traditional blow molding and expanded bead-foam compression steam-chest molding. Using this method, a blow-molded part can be produced with a self-contained foam core consisting of PS-, PP- and/or PE-based particle foams.
Does anyone still make blow molds?
But the good news is that blow mold manufacturers still exist, and there are quite a few easily accessible retailers who sell them online.
Are blow molds coming back?
Believe it or not, blow mold decorations are making a comeback. If you reflect on your childhood, chances are you might remember seeing homes in your neighborhood illuminated with these plastic figures.
Is Union products still in business?
Union declared their closure in early 2006 and began liquidation. They officially shut their doors in November. It was a dark time for Blow Molds, especially the pink flamingo.
How do I identify a vintage blow mold?
Do Look For A Barcode. If you ever see a barcode sticker on your blow mold then you know it can not be as old as others. Companies began using UPC barcodes in 1974, so if you see one then you know it can not be any older that that!
Is Empire blow mold company still in business?
Due to dramatically decreasing sales in the 90s, Empire downsized in 2001 and no longer began producing blow molds. Its molds and machinery were sold in an auction and another company called General Foam Plastics purchased many of them.
How can you tell how old a blow mold is?
Be sure to turn your blow mold over and see if you can spot any markings. These markings will many times be embossed and if they are there, they can be seen easily. In addition, sometimes there will be a date listed there as well and that is an instant way to determine if your blow mold os old.
Does any company still make blow molds?
We’ve got good news and bad news. The bad news is they can be hard to find these days since there aren’t a lot of manufacturers anymore. But the good news is that blow mold manufacturers still exist, and there are quite a few easily accessible retailers who sell them online.
Can you repaint blow molds?
Freshen up faded colors with spray paint. If the paint on your blow mold appears faded or scratched, Sansing says you can freshen it up with plastic-friendly spray paint, such as Fusion All-in-One by Krylon ($5, amazon.com).
Can you put blow molds outside?
Some are fit to be used outdoors and others are perfect for indoor arrangements, like a tabletop or right on your Christmas tree. Take a look below for our top blow mold picks from sites like Amazon, Etsy, Ace Hardware and more.
How do you restore faded blow mold?
How do I keep my blow mold from falling?
Use twine and a stake set to secure your blow mold into the ground. You can tie the twine around the blow mold as above and make small loops at each end of the twine to allow for a stake. Once you place the stake through the loop, use a hammer or your foot to press deeply into the ground.
What kind of paint do you use on blow molds?
Should you repaint blow molds?
If the paint on your blow mold appears faded or scratched, Sansing says you can freshen it up with plastic-friendly spray paint, such as Fusion All-in-One by Krylon ($5, amazon.com). “First, use masking tape and a precision knife to cover the sections of the mold you don’t want to paint,” she advises.
How do you weigh down inflatables?
A simple and easy way to hold down any outdoor inflatable is using bags filled with sand or gravel. It is recommended that you use two or three bags to properly secure your decorations. When you fill your bags, make sure you don’t overfill them as they need to fit in the access hole of the inflatable.