🔧How We Worked with Epoxy Before It Became Mainstream🔧

Having worked with resin for over 10 years, Artline Epoxy Resin will share our knowledge and accumulated experience: what resin is, how it is made, what can be created from epoxy resin, how to work with it, and how much it costs..

What is Made from Epoxy Resin?

Furniture, interior decor items, dishes, jewelry, paintings, panels, trays, coasters, serving boards, and other objects made from epoxy resin are currently in high demand. There’s a general term for all these creations: Resin Art. What else can be made from epoxy resin? It is widely used in electromechanical engineering and radio technology for compounds, binders for reinforced plastics, coatings, and press materials. In shipbuilding, fiberglass with epoxy resin is used to make boat hulls that can withstand very strong impacts, as well as various parts for automobiles and other vehicles. Epoxy resin is also used to manufacture a wide range of items, such as mouthpieces, souvenirs, and various jewelry pieces.

What is Epoxy Resin?

It is a mixture of polymers with various organic compounds. Epoxy resin is sold in liquid form and is intended for use in various fields. To be practically applied, epoxy resin requires a hardener. When combined, they form a strong and transparent substance that can be used for casting, laminating, or bonding different parts and objects.

Cured epoxy resin is resistant to water and temperature effects and has an appealing appearance. Initially, epoxy resin is colorless. By adding pigments, the material can be colored in any shade, from rich tones to translucent, delicate hues. There are also pre-made colored compositions, as well as resins with the addition of luminescent and fluorescent components, neon particles, or powder—this last addition gives the resin a milky tint.

How Long Does Epoxy Resin Take to Dry?

Full curing of epoxy resin typically occurs within 24 hours for small surfaces. Small items (such as brooches or hair clips) that don't experience significant stress are ready for use in as little as 12 hours. Larger items, like river tables, can take up to 10 days to fully cure! The melting point of cured epoxy resin is around +150–180°C, with only a slight decrease in strength at these temperatures.

What Does Epoxy Resin Smell Like?

Epoxy resin itself is odorless, but when heated, volatile substances evaporate, with the highest release of fumes occurring during the mixing of the two components and when using a torch. If you work with epoxy resin in a confined space without ventilation, the fumes can cause poisoning! Inhalation of the vapors can irritate the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract and eyes. Contact with skin, like many allergens, may lead to irritation. However, all risks can be avoided by following proper safety procedures, such as wearing a mask or respirator. It is essential to work with epoxy resin in a well-ventilated space with low humidity, at a temperature between 20°C and 25–27°C. Epoxy resin is highly sensitive to moisture, so any humidity in the molds or forms can lead to cloudy streaks or other defects on the surface after curing.

How Much Does Epoxy Resin Cost?

You can find all the pricing information on our website

 

Artline Crystal Epoxy Resin - Multipurpose - Low Viscosity

 

Is It Safe to Eat from Dishes Made of Epoxy Resin?

Manufacturers of epoxy resin now offer modern formulations that are more user-friendly. We also selected such resin for our production; while it is more expensive than average market options, it is completely safe for use. Skimping on materials is not acceptable! When proper guidelines for working with epoxy resin are followed, health risks are minimal. Cured epoxy castings and coatings are chemically inert and pose no danger. Items made from epoxy resin are even utilized in the food industry and medical institutions.

How to Work with Epoxy Resin?

Don't forget about protective gear! Always wear a mask or respirator and gloves. Work with epoxy resin in a temperature range of +15 to +25 °C. The space should have a supply of fresh air. Also, pay attention to humidity levels—high humidity can slow down the curing process.

For mixing, you'll need a container to combine the resin and hardener, as well as stirring sticks and paper towels for quickly cleaning up any spills. Components should be mixed by weight, so use electronic scales for accuracy.

Also, prepare the base—a mold where you will pour the resin—by lubricating it with petroleum jelly or using silicone molds to make it easier to release the form later. To color the resins in different shades, you will need liquid dyes or powdered pigments; never use water-based dyes—only use special dyes designed for resins.

There is no standard guideline for mixing resin, as each manufacturer has its own recommended ratio. For most of our Artline Epoxy Resin products, we use a 2:1 ratio. Be sure to read the manufacturer's instructions, as they specify the exact mixing proportions. Don’t rush to use the entire volume of material; mix the resin and hardener in small batches. Otherwise, it may begin to cure faster than you can pour it into the mold.

Be sure to read the manufacturer's instructions, as they will specify the exact mixing proportions. Don’t rush to use the entire volume of material; mix the resin and hardener in small batches. Otherwise, it may start to cure faster than you can pour it into the mold.

How to Remove Epoxy Resin Stains?

You can remove epoxy resin from surfaces mechanically, using a tool with a sharp edge, or chemically. Suitable solvents include acetone, nail polish remover, solvent 646, or white spirit. Gasoline can also work. Another option is to freeze the epoxy resin, making it brittle, and then carefully chip it away.

How to Achieve a Shine on Epoxy Resin?

Sanding is the most crucial step in the process of finishing and polishing epoxy resin products. Depending on the desired finish, you can use different tools and grit sizes of sandpaper. To sand epoxy resin, start with coarser sandpaper (grit 200-300), gradually moving to finer grits (500, 800, 1000, and 1200).

For polishing and finishing, we use rotary polishing machines and professional polishes. You can also sand and polish manually, using products like automotive polish, which works well for polishing epoxy resin.

How to Pour Objects into Epoxy Resin?

With our extensive experience in pouring objects into resin, we’d like to share the most important tips. When embedding flowers or moss, use only stabilized materials—those treated with a special process. Natural plants undergo a treatment where the natural sap is replaced with a glycerin-based solution. Thanks to this stabilization technology, moss and flowers retain their softness, elasticity, and resilience.

Before pouring, check how the items are colored; we have encountered cases where the paint washed off upon contact with epoxy resin. Be sure to spray a clear coat on the items to preserve and fix their color, shape, and position. Start pouring the resin from the center and gradually move towards the edges. Pour the resin slowly from a small height; don’t rush to cover the entire surface at once. The material will spread across the area by its own weight.

If you notice air bubbles, you can pop them with a needle or gently warm the surface with a hairdryer.

Discover the Perfect Epoxy Resin for Your Projects:

Artline Crystal Epoxy Resin - Low Viscosity 

Perfect for jewelry, crafts, and clear coatings. Achieve a stunning, crystal-clear finish with ease.

Artline Honey Epoxy Resin - Medium Viscosity 

The go-to resin for geode art and intricate designs. Get vibrant, detailed results with every pour.

Artline Extra Honey Epoxy Resin - Extra High Viscosity

Ideal for bold, raised designs and doming. Take your resin art to the next level.

Artline Wood PRO Epoxy Resin - Low Viscosity

Perfect for deep casting and woodworking projects like river tables.

Artline Monolith Epoxy Resin - Low Viscosity

Designed for large-scale casting and bulk projects. Get durable, smooth finishes.

Purchase today and find the perfect resin for your project at Artline!

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us! 📞📱