Doing a resin project is something fun and exciting. Resin can be used for DIY projects. It’s always fun to create something unique. No item will appear the same with resin. You can experiment with different pouring methods or change the way you spread colors on your mold.
While creating new objects out of resin is fun, it’s not as easy as it seems. Doing a resin project isn’t just about pouring and mixing everything. It needs accurate measurement, as a tiny mistake can make the product tacky or too brittle. Hence, you must figure out what went wrong and repeat the process.
So, to help you out, below are some ways and tips on how to measure resin for your next project correctly:
Prepare the right materials
One of the first things you need to do before you begin doing any resin projects is to prepare the materials. This way, you can guarantee the success of your project as everything you need is just within reach.
Having your resin weighed and discovering that you’re short on essential ingredients is a nightmare. Not only will it affect your workflow, but it can also dampen your mood. With that, it helps to ensure that you prepare the following materials:
Weighing scale
A digital scale for resin is one of the most important things you need to have before you begin any resin project. A resin usually requires mixing parts to create the perfect mixture. After creating the mixture, you can wait for 48 hours to allow it to dry and harden.
However, mixing different elements isn’t just about estimating and seeing if they’re enough. It would be best to be specific down to the last drop. Depending on your resin, it could require equal parts of your mixture, depending on its formulation.
Using a ratio higher than indicated can cause the resin to cure improperly or become overly brittle, which could ruin your product. Hence, a weighing scale allows you to be accurate and specific about the weight of your ingredients.
To get the ideal consistency, it’s best to have the correct quantity to create the perfect blend. As you use a weighing scale, place your empty cup first and press on ‘tare.’ That’ll help you adjust your readings to zero and disregard the previous cup’s weight on the scale.
After pouring your epoxy, ensure that you list them down, allowing you to compute how much hardener you need. Remember that epoxy and hardeners have different densities. The epoxy will weigh more than your hardener, so you must be careful with your estimation.
Resin
There are several resin variants for your project. You can go with epoxy, acrylic, silicone, or polycarbonate. If you’re planning coasters, keychains, or paperweights, then epoxy resin is an excellent material.
It’s also best to be careful about choosing the right brand. If you want the product to have a crystal-clear appearance, it’s essential to look for a reliable brand that can meet your needs.
Mixing cups
Preparing your mixing cups is vital since this is where you’ll be concocting your mixture. Depending on your recipe, you can separate the parts into two different cups or measure them using the same cup to avoid discrepancies.
When using two cups, ensure you have the accurate weight for your resin and hardener. However, if you want to use only one cup, remember that you can’t remove the mixture once it’s in the cup.
Meanwhile, when it comes to hardeners, you don’t need to worry if you add more or less. As long as you’re within the minimum 5% range from the error margin, it shouldn’t affect how your resin project will look like.
When you mix resin into a cup, ensure that you use a disposable or silicone material to clean up the mess quickly. Using disposable cups is more convenient because you can simply throw them away after using them. On the other hand, a silicon cup is fine if you want to save costs.
It’s important to note that you don’t throw any uncured resin down the drain, as it can cause plumbing problems. You need the resin to cure in the cups before cleaning them.
Resin calculator
After getting the right mixture and color for your resin, it can be a disaster to find out that there are too many or too few for your mold. While you can create another blend, it might deliver a different color payoff, affecting the appearance of your output.
Meanwhile, making too many is like wasting money, especially since resin isn’t cheap. This can ruin your profit, especially if you create resin projects for your business. Hence, it helps to identify the correct quantity you need to avoid this scenario.
A resin calculator is the easiest way to calculate the correct quantity for your project. This tool can provide an accurate number of how much you need to prepare. All you need is the exact measurements of your mold or bezel.
Always remember that you should measure it on the inside, as the border’s size might differ depending on the brand and manufacturer. Using a resin calculator, you’ll save yourself from experiencing mistakes in preparing too much or too little for your projects.
Takeaway
Measuring resin for projects will always be a challenging task. It requires you to create the right mixture of hardener and epoxy and be accurate with your measurements. Fortunately, you can use a weighing scale, mixing cups, and a resin calculator to help you avoid common mistakes. In addition, you must wait to prepare the mixture beforehand because it can solidify quickly.
With the tips and tricks mentioned above, you can figure out what to do and how to do it accurately. This will help you avoid wasting products. Plus, you’ll be more skilled as you do your following projects.
