FAQs For Resin Beginners

This is the most common question we hear. We make it easy to choose a specific formula with our resin cheat sheet. But, if you’re someone who likes diving deep into resin details, we’ve got more. You can read this article on choosing the best epoxy resin for your project.

All you need are your project dimensions. Then, our [FREE] resin calculator does the math on the amount of resin you need. To keep your resin fresh, you should only buy enough that you can use within six months of purchase.

Our epoxy resins have UV additives to keep them color-free. But, all resins yellow over time. (No matter what other companies may tell you.) To keep your resin clear as long as possible, keep it out of direct sunlight both before you use it and after curing.

All our resin formulas conform to ASTM D-4236. That means our resins meet federal guidelines for artist safety. But, not all resins have this designation. So if you’re not buying resin from us, please don’t buy one that doesn’t say it conforms to ASTM D-4236. Your health and safety aren’t worth the risk.

We do. You can study resin vocabulary words all you want. (And there won’t be a pop quiz.)

On average, US orders take 3 to 5 days for delivery. International orders take 2 to 4 weeks for delivery. You can find our shipping info here, plus estimated delivery dates, at checkout.

You’re only a quick message away from getting expert artist support. Use our contact form or send us a message through your favorite social media channel.

You’ll need mixing cups and stirring sticks. Plus, it’s important to have gloves to protect your hands. Get a complete resin supply list to get you off and running.

Yes! The best place to start is with our resin tutorials. We share how to make art, paperweights, jewelry, home décor items, and more. It’s the easiest way to get inspired with resin.

You need to wear gloves and work in a well-ventilated space. We’ve also got more resin safety precautions you should take to keep yourself protected.

You want your resin area to be in the low 70’s F. Plus, you can warm your resin kit in a hot water bath for 5 to 10 minutes to bring up the temperature. Warming your kit also helps your resin release bubbles easier.

It comes down to three easy steps: measure each part by volume, pour the two parts together, combine until clear and streak-free. There are a few more nuances to getting it right, which is why we’ve got an article on how to mix resin. It’s got more detailed steps, pictures, plus a helpful video.

Make sure your resin surface is clean. Then, a new resin layer will adhere to the previous layer without any problems. If you pour your next layer while the last layer is in the gel phase (like half-formed gelatin), you’ll lessen the line between layers.

Wouldn’t that be nice? Sadly, once you’ve mixed resin and hardener together, it will harden, whether you use it or not. So have a few extra projects ready to go if you have leftover resin.

That depends on the specific epoxy resin you’re using. Resin formulas have different pot times (amount of time you have to work with it) and cure times (the amount of time it takes to harden). We’ve got those specific details for you in our resin buying guide.

Store resin upright, indoors, in its original containers. The bottom of a dark closet works great.

Absolutely! We’ve got more than 100 beautiful resin colors to choose from. Learn more about the specifics of how to color resin.

Maybe. Or maybe not. It’s normal for the resin to generate heat. That’s what makes it harden. But too much heat can make resin smoke and cure quickly. To avoid overheating, don’t mix more than the maximum mixing amount. (We share those amounts for you in our resin buying guide.)

There are a few reasons why this happens, but it often occurs when it’s mixed incompletely. It’s crucial that you scrape your cup sides and mixing stick several times while mixing. You can read more about why your resin is sticky.

You need to remove as much sticky resin as possible, then recoat with another layer of resin. This article shows more details about fixing sticky resin.

Yes! Once the resin is fully cured, you can use acrylic paints to decorate a resin surface.

Resin can be a fussy beast sometimes. It’s why I’ve written a ton of resin troubleshooting articles to help you. And if you can’t find your answer, contact us or send a message through your favorite social media channel.