Resin & Epoxy Types Overview
| Type |
Description |
Best Use |
Cure Time |
Safety Notes |
| Epoxy Resin |
Two-part, clear or tinted |
Jewelry, coatings, art |
12-48 hours |
Use gloves, ventilate area |
| Polyester Resin |
Fast curing, stronger smell |
Casting large items |
15-30 mins |
Use respirator, well ventilated |
| UV Resin |
Cures under UV light quickly |
Small projects, jewelry |
1-5 mins |
Avoid skin contact, use UV light safely |
| Polyurethane Resin |
Durable, flexible |
Functional parts, molds |
Minutes to hours |
Protective gear required |
| Casting Resin |
Low viscosity, bubble resistant |
Molds, detailed pieces |
24-72 hours |
Follow safety precautions |
| Tool / Material |
Purpose |
Notes |
| Mixing Cups & Sticks |
For accurate resin mixing |
Use disposable or dedicated tools |
| Digital Scale |
Measure resin and hardener precisely |
Accuracy critical for curing |
| Silicone Molds |
Shapes for casting |
Various sizes and designs |
| Protective Gear |
Gloves, respirator, goggles |
Safety first, avoid skin contact & fumes |
| Heat Gun / Torch |
Removes bubbles after pouring |
Use carefully to avoid overheating |
| Colourants & Pigments |
Add colour and effects |
Use resin-specific dyes and powders |
| Release Agent |
Easier mold release |
Apply before casting to prevent sticking |
| Mixing Tips |
Slow, thorough mixing |
Minimizes bubbles and uneven curing |
Mixing Ratios & Curing Tips
| Resin Type |
Common Ratio (Resin:Hardener) |
Pot Life |
Cure Time |
Best Practices |
| Epoxy Resin |
1:1 or 2:1 (varies by brand) |
20-40 mins |
12-48 hrs |
Mix slowly, scrape sides thoroughly |
| Polyester Resin |
Usually 100:1 (resin:hardener) |
5-15 mins |
15-30 mins |
Work quickly, strong odor |
| UV Resin |
Single component |
N/A |
1-5 mins (UV lamp) |
Thin layers, cure completely |
| Polyurethane Resin |
Varies |
Minutes |
Minutes to hours |
Measure carefully, quick curing |
| Casting Resin |
Usually 1:1 or specific ratio |
10-30 mins |
24-72 hrs |
Ensure molds are clean |
Bubble Prevention & Removal
| Technique |
Description |
Tips |
| Slow Mixing |
Avoid whipping air into resin |
Stir gently and slowly |
| Warm Resin |
Heat resin slightly before mixing |
Makes bubbles rise faster |
| Heat Gun / Torch |
Pass over surface to pop bubbles |
Keep moving to avoid scorching |
| Vacuum Chamber |
Removes air bubbles pre-pour |
Used for professional results |
| Pressure Pot |
Compresses bubbles after pouring |
Requires special equipment |
Safety Guidelines
| Safety Aspect |
Recommendations |
| Ventilation |
Always work in well-ventilated areas or outdoors |
| Protective Gear |
Wear nitrile gloves, safety glasses, and respirator masks |
| Skin Contact |
Avoid direct contact, wash immediately if exposed |
| Disposal |
Follow local regulations for resin waste |
| Storage |
Keep resin containers tightly closed and out of sunlight |
Common Project Types
Beginner-Friendly
| Project |
Materials |
Tools Needed |
Time |
Tips |
| Resin Jewelry Pendants |
Epoxy resin, silicone molds |
Mixing tools, heat gun |
24-48 hrs curing |
Use UV resin for faster cure |
| Coasters |
Epoxy resin, colourants, coaster molds |
Heat gun, mixing cups |
24-48 hrs |
Use level surface to avoid pooling |
| Keychains |
UV resin or epoxy |
Silicone molds, UV light (for UV resin) |
Minutes to 24 hrs |
Embed small charms or glitter |
| Project |
Materials |
Techniques |
Tools Needed |
Time |
| Decorative Trays |
Epoxy resin, pigments |
Layered pouring, resin tinting |
Heat gun, scale, molds |
48-72 hrs |
| Resin Art Panels |
Epoxy resin, colourants, wood panel |
Pouring, tilting, layering |
Heat gun, mixing tools |
48 hrs |
| Encapsulation |
Epoxy resin, objects to embed |
Bubble removal, layering |
Heat gun, molds |
24-72 hrs |
Advanced Projects
| Project |
Skills |
Materials |
Tools |
Market Potential |
| Resin Tabletops |
Large surface casting |
High volume epoxy |
Leveling tools, heat gun |
Furniture, commissions |
| Functional Resin Parts |
Polyurethane resin |
Mold making, durability testing |
Specialized molds |
Prototyping, small runs |
| Mixed Media Resin Art |
Multiple materials |
Layering, pigment mixing |
Variety of tools |
Gallery sales |
Troubleshooting Common Issues
| Problem |
Cause |
Solution |
| Sticky or Tacky Surface |
Insufficient curing time or wrong ratio |
Extend curing, check measurements |
| Cracking or Yellowing |
UV exposure or improper mixing |
Store away from sunlight, mix thoroughly |
| Bubbles in Final Piece |
Whipped air or cold resin |
Warm resin, slow mixing, heat gun treatment |
| Uneven Curing |
Thick pours or cold environment |
Use thinner layers, cure in warm area |
| Mold Sticking |
No release agent or poor mold quality |
Use release spray, clean molds |
Maintenance & Storage
| Item |
Care Instructions |
Frequency |
| Mixing Cups & Tools |
Clean immediately after use |
After each project |
| Resin Containers |
Store sealed, away from heat/light |
Always |
| Silicone Molds |
Clean with mild soap and water |
After every use |
| Workspace |
Cover and ventilate properly |
Daily |
Learning Resources & Communities
| Resource |
Type |
Focus |
| Resin Obsession (resinobsession.com) |
Tutorials, supplies |
Comprehensive resin crafting |
| YouTube Channels |
Video tutorials |
Step-by-step projects and tips |
| Reddit r/resin |
Community forum |
Advice, project sharing |
| Instructables |
How-to guides |
Varied resin projects |
| Local Craft Workshops |
Hands-on learning |
Practical experience |
Unlock the glossy, durable beauty of resin art, create stunning pieces that last a lifetime!