Arts and crafts became a popular form of expression and entertainment during the COVID-19 lookdown. In fact, many Americans began using art as a way to soothe their anxiety.
Because of this, epoxy resin became a popular product in the arts and crafts world. This versatile product can be used to make an epoxy resin table, cups, ashtrays, and much more!
Keep reading to learn more about this fantastic product!
What Is Epoxy Resin?
Epoxy resin is made with epoxide, which makes up the base, and polyamine, the hardening component. When combined, these two chemicals turn into a transparent glass-like composite.
The composite can be hard to work with after 15 minutes, and after 72 hours, the material has completely hardened. For a faster curing process, some people use heating sources like lamps and professional heating machines.
1. Keep Yourself Safe
Knowing how to use epoxy resin safely is very important! When misused, epoxy resin can cause an allergic reaction or expose you to harsh chemicals.
Therefore, always make sure you’re using protective gloves, goggles, and even a face mask to be extra safe! Lastly, you should also be in a well-ventilated room when working with resin.
2. Protect Your Workspace
Epoxy resin tends to be hard to clean up because of how sticky it is. Therefore, you should place a protective layer on your surfaces to avoid damaging your equipment. You can use silicone mats, contact paper, and wax paper as a protective barrier!
3. Know the Right Way to Prepare Epoxy Resin
Resin can be hard to work with because of how fast it cures and the air bubbles. An excellent way to avoid this is by mixing the resin slowly for a continuous amount of time. The resin should also be combined at room temperature of about 70°F.
Some people make the mistake of whipping the resin to get it to mix well. However, this only causes more air bubbles to form. Not to mention, the friction created when whipping will cause the resin to cure prematurely.
4. Work with Resin Slowly and Carefully
After you’ve correctly mixed your resin, immediately begin using it. As stated previously, the resin starts to harden within 15 minutes, and at the 30-minute mark, the resin will become unusable.
You should pour the resin onto the intended surface a little at a time to avoid any disruptions or air bubbles on the surface. Resin can be very liquidy, so carefully time your pour to get the intended amount on the surface.
When using epoxy resin for wood, make sure you clean the surface with alcohol. You should also sand down the surface to ensure the resin goes on smoothly!
5. Use the Best Products
If you buy epoxy resin, you want to make sure you’re buying the best one! However, the best epoxy resin can be difficult to find if you’re using it on different surfaces.
Luckily, this kit is excellent for all levels of artists and can be used on multiple projects and surfaces. You should also buy quality molds for your projects! Molds made with silicone or propylene will work the best with resin!
Read This Also: What Are The Points To Keep In Mind While You Hire A Skip Bin?
Arts and Crafts Made Easy
Overall, epoxy resin is a fun product to use for different art projects. So put your gloves on and get to work! But don’t forget to follow our tips and tricks for the best results possible.
If you liked this informative article, visit our webpage for more fantastic content!