Abstract: An improved covering for continuous surface press bending molds providing selectively variable rigidity for matching that desired in bending a particular part on the mold. The shaping element of the mold includes a resilient body having a latticework of flexible metallic bands encapsulated therein. The resilient body is covered by a plurality of superimposed individual sheets of a fibrous, heat-resistant, normally pliable material which, in turn, are covered by a layer of fiberglass cloth. One or more of the individual fibrous sheets is treated with a rigidizer to impart a selected suitable degree of rigidity to the shaping element.