This is the artistic technique of the moment! If you still don't know what the resin is or where to start working with it, we'll tell you all about it.
Resin is a liquid element that, together with a hardener, solidifies and produces an object with a smooth and shiny surface. A different result will be obtained depending on the technique, material, and colours used. We can make all kinds of projects, useful objects for our daily life, such as coasters or plates; or pieces of jewellery. Making these projects is easy and once we have got the hang of it, there will be no project that we can't do! In this post, we'll explain to you the main techniques to use resin and some aspects you should bear in mind before you start using it.
What should I know before working with resin?
Resin and hardeners contain certain chemical compounds, so we must take certain precautions before starting to work with them.
- Wear a mask. Although many resins are non-toxic, it is advisable to always wear a mask to avoid inhaling any chemicals or particles.
- Wear protective gloves and protective glasses. The resin is difficult to remove, so it is advisable to protect our skin and the most exposed areas when working, long sleeves are therefore recommended.
- Keep proper ventilation in the working area.
How do I know how much resin to use?
The amount will depend on the surface or mould we are going to use. An approximate method to know the quantity is to measure the surface on which we are going to work and multiply that quantity by 0,158. The resulting quantity will be the amount of resin needed.The mixture
It is important to measure well all the elements that we are going to pour. Add the same amount of resin as of hardener. Mix well, and then you can add the colours you want, as transparent inks, opaque colours, or glitter, it's time to experiment! When mixing, do it gently to avoid "airing" the mixture too much, in this way, you will avoid the appearance of bubbles. You can also avoid the annoying bubbles by pouring the mixture with a pouring cup and doing it slowly and gently. It is also important to follow the manufacturer's recommendations and instructions when mixing the resin with the hardener and other compounds to achieve the expected result.Techniques for working with resin
With moulds
With this technique, as its name indicates, a mould is needed. Simply pour the resin into a mould and once dry, a three-dimensional shape is obtained. The drying time required before being able to unmould will depend, among other things, on the dimensions of the project. Usually, the drying time is between 24 hours and a few days. Methods such as the application of ultraviolet light can accelerate the hardening process. When using ultraviolet light, it must be taken into account that it must be applied evenly so that the drying process is uniform throughout the piece. It is important to choose a suitable mould for working with resin. It is best to use a silicone mould, whether it has a glossy or matt finish. Silicone moulds are the most commonly used because of their flexibility, making the task of removing them from the mould much easier.
The pouring technique
This technique consists of covering a surface with resin to give it a new finish. There are certain things to take into account, the surface has to be completely flat, and it has to be made of a material with a certain grip. Fabrics, wood, concrete, metals, tiles, or canvas will be the perfect type of surfaces for this technique. As we have seen before, the drying time is reduced if we use UV light evenly over the entire surface. However, with this technique you're probably dealing with a large surface, so it is not advisable to apply ultraviolet light because it is difficult to apply it to the whole surface at the same time. In case you use this technique to cover a painted picture, you must know that the resin tends to darken over time, especially if the sunlight is reflected directly on the canvas.
How to clean our workspace after using resin?
As we have already mentioned, the resin is a very difficult element to remove, so we are going to give you some tips to help you. When the resin has not yet dried, the best thing to do is to apply vinegar, both on our utensils and our hands if we have not used gloves. After the vinegar, we can use soap and water to help remove any remaining resin.
What do you think about this new technique, have you tried it yet? We have recently discovered it and we love it. As we can't stop experimenting with different techniques, would you like us to prepare a post telling you tricks and new techniques to work with resin? Let's talk in the comments :)
