the ablative material to particular areas of the snap ring 102 a base portion 112 of the mold 110 is shaped and configured to complementarily receive the snap ring 102 therein a cover 114 is placed on top of the snap ring 102 to hold it into place during application of the ablative material a space or cavity 116 is formed about the particular surface or surfaces of the snap ring which are to be coated with ablative material this space or cavity 116 may be formed through design of the mold 110 or may be formed by use of spacers 118 which serve to suspend the snap ring 102 above the base portion 112 of the mold 110 and act as a thickness indicator or gauge for the resulting ablative coating the spacers 118 may be formed as previously cured ablative material such as sparesyl and preferably the same type of ablative material which is to be introduced into the mold 110 to coat the snap ring 102 the mixed ablative material may be introduced into the mold 110 through ports 120 and flowed into the space or cavity 116 formed between the base portion 112 of the mold 110 and the snap ring 102 while the ports 120 are shown to be located on the sides of the mold 110 it should be noted that other mold designs may also be used for example a port could be provided for each bolt.