EPOXY RESIN FAQ
RESIN BASICS
Art 'N Glow Epoxy Resin can be purchased here on Art 'N Glow's Epoxy Resin Page. Unleash your creativity and start creating today!
7 Steps to a Bubble-Free and Flawless Cure
1. The temperature of the workspace, and resin itself, is key. The workspace should be between 72°-85°F, the closer to 78°, the better.
2. If the resin is cool, use a warm bucket of water and place the resin and hardener bottles into the warm water. This will prevent microbubbles. The working time* of the resin mixture will decrease from 45 minutes to 30 minutes. This is because the resin mixture is thermosetting, and with an increased temperature, the curing process will begin sooner than usual. (*Working time is the time you have to mix and pour the resin mixture once the hardener and resin meet in the same cup.)
3. When pouring either the resin or hardener, carefully pour down the side of the measuring cup. Pouring from high above the measuring cup can result in air bubbles.
4. Double check that the resin and hardener are exactly a 1:1 ratio of resin to hardener by volume.
5. When mixing, mix smoothly, thoroughly, and consistently to avoid adding air bubbles. (To avoid adding air to the mixture, press the stirring utensil to the bottom of the cup while mixing.)
6. After the resin and hardener is mixed and poured, wait about two minutes. Then, to remove any air bubbles, use an artist’s torch, kitchen torch, lighter, toothpick, or straw to remove bubbles. (Keep checking over the next 1-2 hours to make sure that additional bubbles do not appear.)
7. Last tip: If the resin and hardener are ever milky or cloudy, this is a good indicator that the temperature of your resin is too low.
The mixing process is tedious, but necessary. Mix consistently for 3-5 minutes. Mix thoroughly, until all streaks of resin have disappeared from the 1:1 resin and hardener mixture.
We recommend a maximum thickness of 1/4” for each layer. If you need to pour several layers for additional thickness, wait for each layer to cure for 6 hours prior to pouring the next coat. Subsequent coats beyond 48 hours require light sanding with 220 grit sandpaper.
When creating with Art ‘N Glow Epoxy Resin, consider these calculations to better determine your measurements.
16 oz coats approximately 3 sq. feet @ 1/16” thick
32 oz coats approximately 6 sq. feet @ 1/16” thick
64 oz coats approximately 12 sq. feet @ 1/16” thick
1 gallon coats approximately 24 sq feet @ 1/16” thick
2 gallon coats approximately 48 sq. feet @ 1/16” thick
Our epoxy resin will harden after 24 hours, but it is not fully cured until 72 hours. Be careful when demolding at 24 hours, because the cast can still be scratched.
Here are a few ways to fix imperfections in cured resin:
1. If the resin is sticky after curing: simply apply a second coating. Double-check the 1:1 ratio of hardener to resin and the temperature of your workspace.
2. If the resin is scratched after curing: wipe down and recoat.
3. If there is a jelly-like residue after curing: carefully scrape off the excess resin that has not cured with a plastic utensil. Then, apply a new layer of the resin and hardener mixture. Remember to mix at a 1:1 ratio and make sure that the temperature in the workspace is 72-85°F (the closer to 78°F the better). You may warm up the resin bottles in a warm water bath to ensure that there are no microbubbles.
4. If there are surface bubbles or debris after curing: sand with 80 grit sandpaper, wipe down, and recoat.
5. Please refer to the 7 Steps to a Bubble-Free and Flawless Cure at the top of the FAQ.
Carefully pull the mold away from each of the sides of the piece before demolding. Pulling the mold off of the edges of the casted piece, first, prevents the silicone mold from sticking to the cast and tearing.
Absolutely! We have had many customers create countertops and bar tops using our resin.
Don’t worry, this is called crystallization and it won’t harm your Art ‘N Glow Epoxy Resin. If your resin is frozen, simply move it into a warmer place and allow it to thaw, or place the bottles in a warm water bath.
The shore hardness value of our epoxy resin after curing is 80-D.
The viscosity of our Clear Casting and Coating Epoxy Resin is 2500 cps which makes it great for doming, as well as coating and casting! Our epoxy resin formula is extremely versatile for many different artistic applications.
The heat deflection temperature of our resin is 105°F. Art 'N Glow Epoxy Resin is great for use as a coaster but is not recommended for hot coffee cups or for use as hot plates.
*Note: Heat deflection temperature is the temperature at which your epoxy will start to soften (you could dent with your fingernail) but will return to normal once cooled.
CHARACTERISTICS AND FEATURES
Since Art 'N Glow Epoxy Resin heats up as it cures, the most that should be poured at a time, when casting or filling in a void, is 6 ounces. If more is poured in a single layer, there can be issues during the curing process. When coating, the resin will self-level to the point where it is 1/16" thick. We recommend a maximum thickness of 1/4” for each layer. If you need to pour several layers for additional thickness, wait for each layer to cure for 6 hours prior to pouring the next coat. Subsequent coats beyond 48 hours require light sanding with 220 grit sandpaper.
Art ‘N Glow Epoxy Resin is self-leveling to some extent, but use a level to be sure that the surface is even, so that your coat distributes evenly. You may also use your hand (while wearing gloves), a brush, or a plastic spreader to help the resin reach all edges and corners.
Yes, Art ‘N Glow Epoxy Resin will self-level to an extent. However, it is best to use your hands (while wearing gloves) to properly spread the resin across your piece to ensure that the resin spreads to all corners.
Art ‘N Glow Epoxy Resin can easily be colored with our wide variety of pigment powders. We typically recommend approximately 7 grams of glow powder for each fluid ounce of resin and hardener mixture. This ratio is designed to give your resin piece the brightest and longest-lasting glow. However, there is room for experimentation if you wish to use more or less glow powder. If using Art ‘N Glow Pearl Pigments, pour small amounts of the powder until you reach the desired depth of color.
Art ‘N Glow epoxy resin cures to a hardness of 80+ Shore D in 72 hours. Our resin is very strong once cured. The resin will be heat-resistant, difficult to scratch, and tough to break.
Art ‘N Glow Epoxy Resin works great with several mediums. Our resin will adhere to wood, canvas, aluminum, inkjet prints, glossy photographs, oil paint, sculpture, leaves, rocks, brick, concrete, and much more! There are only a few materials that the resin will not adhere to. For example, the resin won’t adhere to materials like silicone, the backside of tape, plastic tarps, and wax paper. Silicone is often used to cast resin, and wax paper is used to protect a workspace. Resin also will not adhere to a majority of surfaces that are water resistant.
Absolutely! Art ‘N Glow Epoxy Resin can be used to coat leaves, rocks, wood, fruit, and even chicken nuggets! When casting any organic material, make sure to apply one layer at a time, waiting 6 hours between applying additional layers. When casting objects in a mold with resin, they may sink or float. Try using toothpicks, tape, or upside down cups to hold what you are casting in place as you apply the first couple of layers.
Art ‘N Glow Epoxy Resin will not crack when cured properly. Art ‘N Glow Epoxy Resin solidifies to be hard as rock.
Our Clear Casting and Coating Epoxy Resin is certified as food-safe according to FDA standards - it is made in compliance with FDA regulations (CFR 21 175.300) and found to be completely safe for repeated, direct contact with food and food products.
Yes, you should just prep it as you would any other plastic and use a paint that is designed to be used on plastic.
Yes, after Art ‘N Glow Epoxy Resin is fully cured, it is totally waterproof.
No, our resin does not visibly shrink or expand while curing. The technical Shrinkage value is .001.
Using a sealant is only necessary when the material being casted is highly-absorbent or porous. Paper, cardboard, fruit, and leaves are all examples of materials that should be sealed. Sealing materials like these helps to avoid bubbles being released after being coated.
Glue sticks are a great resource that seem elementary, but are actually very useful when working with resin. Since glue sticks contain minimal water, there is less of a chance of the glue causing your paper to ripple. Glue down any thin material with a glue stick, and then pour away.
The shelf life of our epoxy resin is approximately 12 months unopened and 6 months opened.
CREATING WITH EPOXY RESIN
1. Before starting, take note of the room temperature. An ideal work space temperature is 72-85°F, (the closer to 78 the better). If the resin and hardener bottles are stored in a cool place, warm them in a warm water bath. Warming the resin will shorten working time* from 45 to 30 minutes. (*Working time is the time you have to mix and pour the resin mixture once the hardener and resin meet in the same cup.)
2. Start with a 1:1 mixing ratio of resin to hardener. Pour down the side of the cup to avoid adding bubbles.
3. Mix the resin and hardener with a stirring utensil for 3-5 minutes. Mix smoothly and thoroughly to avoid adding bubbles. Mix until all streaks of resin are gone and the mixture is clear.
4. Add Art ‘N Glow pigment powder or keep it clear. If you decide to add pigment powder, mix 1:4 glow powder to resin. Mix for about 1-2 minutes, until all small grains of powder are mixed thoroughly. Avoid large clumps of powder by mixing in small amounts of powder at a time.
5. To make sure that there are no divots left by bubbles in the casted piece, paint a small layer of resin mixture into the edges and all intricacies of the silicone mold. This will ensure a great final product.
6. After painting on the resin mixture, pour the mixture into the mold.
7. Cover the mold and allow the resin to cure for at least 24 hours before demolding. At 24 hours, the resin is semi-cured. It will be fully-cured after 72 hours. At 24 hours, the resin is hardened enough to demold, but can still be scratched.
8. To demold, carefully pull the mold from each of the sides to help release the resin piece from the mold. Pulling the mold off the edges of the casted piece, first, prevents the silicone mold from sticking to the cast and tearing.
9. Have fun!
Temperature is a very important part of resin-curing and preventing bubbles from showing up after resin has cured. If the temperature in the workspace is in the lower 70’s (°F), then use a warm water bath for the resin and hardener bottles. Using a warm water bath will help to bring the resin to the optimal temperature for resin to cure, and helps prevent micro-bubbles. However, be aware that by warming the resin, you will shorten the working time* of the resin mixture from 45-minutes to about 30 minutes. Also, make sure to dry the bottles to prevent even a drop of water into your resin mixture. Water will prevent the resin from curing properly. (*Working time is the time you have to mix and pour the resin mixture once the hardener and resin meet in the same cup.)
A heat gun or torch, or another method of removing bubbles, is recommended. Using some sort of heat after applying resin is a very effective method.The reason that many artists use a torch is because a torch is much more directional, and helps to burn off any unwanted particles that may have made their way onto the surface of the resin. Be sure to exercise caution when using a torch. Be conscious of your surroundings and remember that a torch is not a toy.
First, make sure that the piece is on a level surface. If the piece being coated has a curved surface, use a foam brush or gloves to spread thin layers of resin. Wait 6 hours between each layer, and add additional layers until the surface is at the desired thickness.
Make sure to cover your art with a box once you have finished coating it. This helps make sure that no stray dust particles or debris stick to your resin piece.
There are several ways to pop bubbles. Many artists go over each coat with a kitchen torch, lighter, or heat gun. You can also use a toothpick to pop the bubbles, or even try blowing through a straw, but be sure not to inhale.
It is very important to allow each layer to reach a somewhat solidified state, but not allowing it to become completely solidified, before applying a second or third layer of resin. The optimal time to add additional layers is 6 hours after applying the previous layer. Another important point is to make sure that each layer should be no more than a 1/4” thickness. As you apply each layer, be sure to remove bubbles with a torch, toothpicks, or by blowing through a straw (but be sure not to inhale!) Subsequent coats beyond 48 hours require light sanding with 220 grit sandpaper.
How long does Art ‘N Glow Epoxy Resin take to cure?
Our epoxy resin will harden after 24 hours, but it is not fully cured until 72 hours. Be careful when demolding at 24 hours, because the cast can still be scratched.
The best way to thin epoxy resin is to place both, the hardener and resin bottles, in a tub or bucket of warm water. The warm water bath will cause the resin and hardener, once mixed, to cure faster. Keep in mind that the work time, once the resin and hardener meet in the same cup, will change from 45 minutes to 30 minutes. Adding additional liquids to thin out the epoxy resin will prevent the resin mixture from curing properly.
There are several ways to finish edges. To ensure a clean edge, use the back of painters tape on the edges of the canvas to create an outline. Another approach would be to pour the resin in the center of the canvas, and use your hands (wearing gloves) to ensure that all edges are coated.
Art ‘N Glow Epoxy Resin dries faster with more heat, since Art ‘N Glow Epoxy Resin is thermosetting. Place the resin and hardener bottles in a bucket of warm water to help increase the initial temperature before you begin mixing.
A good place to start is making sure that your piece is level, so that the resin mixture spreads evenly across the surface. Then, start pouring in the center, and use a spreading tool, or something like a plastic card, to spread the resin. You may use your hands (while wearing gloves) to spread the resin, as well. Make sure to spread evenly, reaching all corners and edges. If you are on an even surface, resin is self-leveling, but may need some assistance in order to reach the corners and edges.
Resin often pours over the edges of a canvas, so using some kind of stand will help to keep the piece from sticking to your workspace, after curing. Anything you can find to keep your canvas above your workspace will work. We recommend placing your canvas on a few cups or sticking thumb tacks into back of the canvas, in each corner, in order raise the canvas above the workspace.
There are a few essential steps to preparing a surface so that your project goes well. Make sure that there is no dust or debris on your surface. Ensure that your surface is level, so that the resin does not flow to one side. Also, if you are using a canvas, it may be a good idea to add small pieces of wood under each corner, between the frame and the canvas. This increases surface tension, and should prevent the canvas from dipping in the center.
The key to creating a clean and easy to manage workspace is to plan ahead. Have several pairs of gloves, plenty of towels, rubbing alcohol, and soap ready to go!
If you need to pour several layers for additional thickness, wait for each layer to cure for 6 hours prior to pouring the next coat. Subsequent coats beyond 48 hours require light sanding with 220 grit sandpaper.
To dam Art ‘N Glow Epoxy Resin, use waterproof materials like silicone, plastic, plexiglass, hot glue, or the back of painters tape.
The mixing process is tedious, but necessary. Mix consistently for 3-5 minutes. Mix thoroughly, until all streaks of resin have disappeared from the 1:1 resin and hardener mixture.
To clean Art ‘N Glow Epoxy Resin, use a glass cleaner!