Frequently Asked Questions
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What can your resins be used for?
We offer three types of resins which have distinct advantages for different uses:
Regular Resin
– Our regular resin is great for being used as a medium to mix other colourants into it for coffee tables, tumblers, coasters, paintings, etc.
Professional Resin
– Our professional resin will not yellow due to UV exposure, it is best applied as a thin clear coat over pieces that have a lot of white in it to provide a protective glossy finish
UltraCast Resin
– Our UltraCast resin is best used for projects that require thicker pours (quarter inch to 2 inches thick). It will remain clear at these thicknesses, and is the hardest, most rigid curing resin that we offer.
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Do your resins yellow or have UV resistance?
All of our resins are UV resistant and contain UV Inhibitors and HALS to help prevent yellowing overtime. However our regular Epoxy Resin & UltraCast Resin may still yellow over time with prolonged UV exposure. For complete UV protection, use our Professional Resin which is our only UV stable product.
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Are your resins toxic?
Our resin formulas are free of any VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) and have a low odor during usage. A respirator is not required when using our Resins, however we do recommend applying in a well ventilated area. We also recommend protecting yourself by using gloves and long sleeved clothing as epoxy resin in general can be irritating to sensitive skin. If you are known to have allergies to epoxy resins, please consider avoiding the use of our product or be sure to sufficiently protect yourself as you see fit.
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Are your resins food safe?
Do not ingest any components of our Resins. However, once fully cured (after 72 hours), our resins are safe for incidental contact with food.
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What is the shelf life of your resins?
Approximately one year. Resin should be kept in a warm environment no less than 10 degrees Celsius. Containers need to be sealed tight. All of our resins may start to discolor overtime which will affect the clarity. Depending on storage conditions, this can start to occur at approximately 4-6 months after purchase. The resin will still cure but the clarity and color may be affected.
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My resin has crystallised or turned milky white, what do I do?
Your Part A Resin may crystallise or turn a milky white colour; don’t worry, it is still usable! This is typically due to the resin being exposed to colder temperatures during shipment or storage. Resin may also crystallise without being cold, this is a natural occurrence and both cases are easily remedied. Just like when water turns to ice, you can bring back the resin to its liquid clear form by submerging the bottle into hot water until the resin melts back into its liquid state. It is then fine to use!
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Can I apply multiple coats?
Yes, you can apply multiple coats as long as you apply the subsequent coats within the re-coat window.
Regular Resin re-coat within 16-24 hours
Professional Resin within 4-8 hours
UltraCast Resin within 24 – 36 hours
If you happen to miss the re-coat window, you can still re-coat the resin. All you have to do is sand the coating down a bit to allow your next coat to adhere.
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Can your resin be tinted?
Our regular Epoxy resin and UltraCast Resin can be tinted with colourants such as acrylics and alcohol inks, and Mica Powders.
Our professional resin can be tinted with our Mica Powders.
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What is the mixing ratio?
Both of our resins are a 1:1 equal mixing ratio of Part A and Part B
Our new UltraCast Resin has a mixing ratio of 2 Resin : 1 Hardener
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How long do I mix it for?
2-3 minutes max, after you mix, immediately pour the resin onto your desired piece. Only mix enough resin that you plan to use right away, do not leave mixed resin for too long or it will cure very quickly.
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How long does it take to dry?
Regular Resin 16 Hours Initial Dry – 72 Hours Full Cure
Professional Resin 4 Hours Initial Dry – 5 Days Full Cure
UltraCast Resin 48 Hours Initial Dry – 5 – 7 Days Full Cure (depending on thickness)
These timeframes are at 20º C . A hotter environment may result in faster curing, whereas a colder environment may result in slower curing. We do not recommend curing our resin in temperatures colder than 10º C.
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What is the heat resistance?
Dry heat +110º C (+230º F)
Spills +66º C (+150º F)
Immersion +66º C (+150º F)
Cold -40º C (-40º F)
Above temperature limits are laboratory test results.
Troubleshooting Questions
Why isn’t the resin curing?
Resin will not cure for the following reasons:
- Mixing Ratio is off (Equal parts A +B)
- Not thoroughly mixed
- Temperature is too cold (we recommend allowing resin to cure in an environment that is at least 10 degrees Celsius)
- If using Professional Resin, it will have trouble curing if applied too thick (like in a mold). Professional resin is not meant for casting and is best applied as a thin clear coat
Why are there wavy patterns in the cured resin?
- Too thin of a coat or contaminated surface, this can be fixed by applying another coat to level it out
Why is the resin mixture getting so hot in the mixing cup?
- If mixed resin (Part A + Part B) is left in a mixing cup for longer than 3 minutes, it will begin to cure exponentially due to the heat generated from the chemical reaction. Resin should be mixed for no longer than 3 minutes, and then immediately poured onto your desired piece
- If you are mixing colourant into your regular resin, we recommend mixing the colour with the appropriate amount of Part A first (it won’t react yet), and then when you are ready, you can add the Part B
How do I get rid of bubbles?
- Air bubbles are typically caused by over mixing, the best way to get rid of air bubbles is by using a kitchen torch which will quickly heat up the air bubbles causing them to burst and leave a nice smooth finish
Why are there dimples/pits in the final coat?
- For our regular resin, dimples are typically caused by oil contamination or a reaction between the resin and the surface you are applying the resin onto. If there was a previous coating on your piece, this can cause the resin to react with it and peel away in certain areas, leaving pits/dimples
- Resin should be applied onto a clean surface that is free of contaminants/oils which can cause these dimples/pits
- For our professional resin, dimples can be caused if the coat is too thick, we recommend a thin coat about the thickness of a dime for best results
