How To: Choose the Right Resin for your Project –Have you ever been overwhelmed in a store full of epoxy resins or scrolled endlessly through online options, wondering which one is the best fit for your latest creative venture? Selecting the right resin is crucial for achieving the perfect finish, whether you’re crafting a stunning art piece or revamping an old piece of furniture. But don’t worry, in this blog post, we’re here to simplify things as best as possible!
First, lets understand Epoxy Resin a little bit more…Epoxy resin is a fantastic chemical material comprised of two components: the resin (Part A) and the hardener (Part B). When these two are mixed, they react chemically to form a hard, durable finish that’s renowned for its clarity and strength. It’s a go-to for makers and crafters because of its strong adhesive qualities and aesthetic versatility.
Here’s a brief overview of the common types of Resin:
Coating Epoxy Resin – Ideal for general artworks, coatings, or as an adhesive. It’s user-friendly, cures in a reasonable time, and offers durability with a high gloss finish. This can come in a range of viscosities from low, medium to high. i.e. Medium Viscosity – U RESIN Liquid Glass or High Viscosity – U RESIN UltraCoat
UV Cured Resin – Perfect for small projects that need to be cured quickly. This resin cures when exposed to direct sunlight or a Ultra Violet Lamp. These resins are formulated to resist yellowing and degradation, ensuring your project stays pristine. i.e. UV Resin
Casting Epoxy Resin – Ideal for any sort of casted item, whether it’s in a silicone moulds, filling cracks in timber, embedding items or pouring river table. Within the “Casting” resin category, there are sub-categories including Shallow Casting Resins and Deep Casting Resins. Each system is formulated differently to offer different properties and to be used for slightly different projects. i.e. Shallow Casting Resin – U RESIN Cast or Deep Casting Resin – U RESIN OceanCast
Flexible Epoxy Resin – These particular resins are not so common anymore but can be manufactured for a specific purpose if necessary. These are great for projects that require flexibility without cracking, suitable for materials that might bend or move. i.e. U RESIN Flex UV
High-Temperature Epoxy Resins – Necessary for items that will endure heat, like coasters or hot plates, as it resists deforming under high temperatures. These are more common for various Industrial Projects.
Acrylic Resins – Now, whilst this isn’t an Epoxy Resin, these are systems that are becoming more and more popular in the crafting world. Acrylic resin is generally used together with a powder and can be casted or coated, depending on the specific system. A very popular acrylic resin system is Jesmonite. i.e. Jesmonite AC100 or Jesmonite AC730
So, now that we’ve gone through the most common types of resins in the Craft Industry. How do we choose which one is right for your specific project?
1. Purpose of the project: Define what you’re creating and it’s specific function. This will largely help determine if you need specific features like UV resistance, high gloss or flexibility, etc. This also include viscosity. Do you want something that is very thin and able to disperse in small areas on its own. Perhaps you need a high viscosity system that doesn’t move much so you have more control on the finish.
2. Environment: Will your project be used indoors or outdoors? Consider environmental factors like sunlight, moisture, and temperature changes. Along with this, consider your environment whilst pouring. Are you going to be pouring inside your house, where kids or pets are present? Are you working outside in a garage or shed? When working with Epoxy Resins, we always recommend considering the safety factors before beginning.
3. Safety: Always adhere to safety guidelines. Make sure you work in a well-ventilated area and wear protective gear as well as read the Safety Data Sheets before starting. Epoxy Resins are not suitable for children or pregnant women, even when safety equipment is used as it can produce fumes. Whereas Acrylic Resins are completely non-toxic, solvent-free and safe to use around the family.
4. Desired finish: Need a crystal-clear finish or planning to add colours? Do you need the resin see-through? Can the project be a smooth or matte finish? Some resins are more suitable for colour mixing, while others are best left clear and acrylic resins being powder based will provide a smooth, opaque and matte-like finish.
5. Curing time: Review how quickly the resin cures—fast curing might be convenient, but it also shortens the working time and can create high exothermic temperatures. Acrylic Resins are also fast which means multiple units can be poured per day, which may be an important factor. Or perhaps you need something very slow, so you can be creative for as long as possible. Choose a resin that allows you the right balance.
Still unsure which resin to choose? Then we recommend checking out our resin compatibility charton our website. We have designed this chart to help you easily find the best resin system for your specific project needs. We have tried to list the most common and most popular project types when working with resins to make it simple and easy to follow, however we understand that when it comes to resins there are a million and 1 things you can make with it.
If you can’t find the project you are wanting to make on the chart, then we recommend emailing our team (via our contact page) and providing us with as much information as possible, for us to advise on the best systems for your upcoming project. Sometimes you may find that multiple resins are able to do multiple projects, so it will then come down to trial and error to see what system you like best to work with.
Before making your final decision, take the time to read product reviews and recommendations from other users. Online forums, social media groups, and product review websites can be great resources for gathering insights and feedback from fellow crafters and artisans. However it is very important to pay attention to reviews related to specific applications, project types, and compatibility with different materials. Perhaps a person is using the wrong system for their project needs which lead to a negative review.
Once you’ve narrowed down your options, consider conducting a small-scale test or experiment to evaluate the performance of the resin. Testing different resin brands, formulations, and application techniques can help you determine which product best meets your project requirements. Don’t be afraid to experiment and explore new techniques to unleash your creativity.
Choosing the right resin can be a challenge, but as we are a manufacturer, you can rest assured knowing you are receiving the very best technical knowledge from us when using our resin systems and chatting with our team. With a little bit of know-how and our handy compatibility chart, you can confidently select the best resin for your project.
