When you are a beginner at epoxy resin crafts, it can be confusing to select which type or formula is best for your project. There are so many different types of resin that you can find on the market. And choosing the wrong type of resin can affect the end result and you may see a lot of air bubbles or see that the finer details of the mould have not transferred onto the object.
There is no universal type of epoxy resin that will work with everything. You need to consider the requirements of the project before you browse through the epoxy resin store. There are coating and casting resins. Coating resins are quite thick but they should not be used with moulds as it will be difficult to get rid of air bubbles. This is what you need to choose when giving a shiny finish to artwork, tiles, jewellery etc. Casting resins have a thin consistency and you can easily get rid of air bubbles. You will need to use a resin mould with casting resins. When creating a river table which is a popular resin craft, you will need to use casting resin. When coating a surface to give a glossy finish, you can use a coating resin.
The instructions for your product will let you know the ratio of resin and hardener to mix. You also need to consider how much time you will have to work with the resin once it is mixed. This is called pot time. The time taken for the resin to harden after it is mixed and poured is called the curing time. You also need to consider colours for the resin and other tools needed for the project. Anything you add to resin should be something that combines well with it. The resin should stick to the object. Some items you can use are fabrics, concrete, wood, metal, glass and ceramics. There are also items that don’t stick to resin such as silicone and wax. You need to measure the accurate amount of resin and hardener for the project so that it cures properly.
Make sure that you take proper safety precautions when using resin. You need to work in a room that has good ventilation and you need to use gloves. Different resins come with different curing times, applications and instructions so you need to read all these details before you choose one. The level of viscosity is one factor you need to consider when choosing epoxy resin. Low viscosity types will fill every gap and detail in your mould so you will be able to achieve fine details. You can use them to seal cracks in wood and in casting moulds. Medium viscosity can’t be used for filling but you can use it for tooling and vacuum bagging. Hugh viscosity creates tough resin and it can be used to create items that are exposed to high heat or pressure. This can be to polish flat surfaces, coating paintings or sealing tables. You can even use it to coat flooring.
