UV resin is an adhesive that requires curing with ultraviolet light. It has a short curing time and is perfect for making beautiful necklaces, earrings, and pendants, molding them into desired shapes, and can also be used to bond various materials.
However, it's not easy to make a perfect UV resin piece and there are lots of details you need to know. In this video, We will share with you some tips and assist you in resolving issues you might encounter while crafting with UV resin, Let's get started!
⭐ Beginner
Content Preview:
Preparation Stage
I. Resin amount measuring and mold shape
II. UV Resin color mixing and stirring
Video Tutorial
Preparation Stage
UV resin is typically used in small quantities, so we'll use small measuring cups and split cups to measure out the resin. The stirring stick is for mixing resin colors and removing bubbles.
Next, clear UV resin, that is what we always used.
We'll also need a lighter and heat gun to get rid of any bubbles.
A UV lamp for quickly curing the UV resin. A reusable and easy-to-clean color mixing tool.
Don't forget to wear a mask to prevent sensitivity to any odors. We'll also need alcohol for cleaning and a pair of waterproof gloves. Okay that's all we need!
① Small Measuring Cups and Split Cups
② Clear UV Resin
③ Lighter
④ Heat Gun
⑤ UV Lamp
⑥ Mask
⑦ Alcohol
⑧ A Pair of Waterproof Gloves
I. Resin amount measuring and mold shape
The amount of UV resin needed varies based on the size of the item or the needs of the project, just follow the rule of using small amounts frequently.
1. Resin Amount and Application Technique
Different kinds of UV resin are suitable for different project needs, this time we chose the regular clear UV resin.
Open the cap of the resin bottle, tear off the safety film that prevents the resin from leaking sideways, then attach the tip, twist and open the cap, and you're ready to go.
Before using, it's best to invert the bottle for 1 minute to allow the resin to settle and the bubbles to rise to the surface. The resin can also be heated to make it less sticky, and accelerate the floating of air bubbles.
By heating the resin in hot water or heat mat, it becomes softer and more malleable, allowing for smoother application in your crafting.
Additionally, heating resin can help to reduce bubbles during the curing process. The same goes for using resin in winter.
2. Mold shape choosing
① Transparent mold
Choose a transparent mold and ensure that both sides of the mold are exposed to light so that the resin will be fully cured when it's removed.
Please note that not to use molds that lack penetration effect as the resin at the bottom may not dry, leading to project failure.
② Mold area within 5cm*5cm
The mold area is recommended to be within 5cm*5cm to prevent surface imperfections like vertical lines, unevenness, and and incomplete drying.
Using molds that are too large for the shape may result in incomplete curing as the UV light might not penetrate the entire mold or reach all areas evenly, leading to incomplete curing. The mold being too large and too thin can cause the molding to buckle on both sides during curing.
③ Small molds with metal materials
It's advisable to use small molds and UV resin can also be used with metal materials for jewelry making, offering the advantages of easy shaping, quick curing, and speedy production.
II. UV Resin color mixing and stirring
Now let's take a look at how to color UV resin, and the precautions when mixing resin during the color mixing process.
1. Color Mixing
① Resin dye
Like epoxy resin, UV resin can also be used with many kinds of materials for color mixing. First of all, the resin dye, You can mix transparent resin dye, color resin dye, alcohol ink, and color translucent pigment to make a transparent or solid color effect.
Right mixing method
Due to the small amount of UV resin used in a single application, it is recommended to dip with a toothpick to apply and mix the color. UV resin with translucent color cures faster.
Wrong mixing method
1.Too much colorant will cause the light from the UV lamp to not penetrate the resin, resulting in non cured resin.
2. Solid color with UV resin will cure slowly, easily causing the internal part not fully cured.
When squeezing the mold, you can find the resin is still in fluid. So the best way is to pour in layers.
② Fine Glitters and Mica powder
Secondly, you can add mica powder, chameleon powder, or holographic powder to the UV resin. Powders color the resin, while glitter is suitable for decorating in UV resin.
③ Chunky Glitters
Thirdly, many people enjoy adding chunky glitters to UV resin for decoration, which can make its appearance with a shiny finish. There are various types of glitter available, including glow-in-the-dark glitter, rainbow-colored glitter, holographic glitter and more.
Add the glitter and mix thoroughly, then cure it with UV light immediately after rapid defoaming. The quicker the curing process, the less the glitter will sink.
You can wipe the stir sticks with a paper towel to get rid of any leftover resin, and the residual resin on silicone sticks can be removed after curing. Both types of sticks can be reused.
2. UV Resin stirring
When pouring UV resin from the bottle into the mixing cup to mix colors, avoid working near opened UV lamps or in areas exposed to the sunlight, as it may cause the UV resin to become sticky or cure rapidly, resulting in project failure.
Stirring process need to be consistent, moving in the same direction and at the same speed, covering a wide area, and scraping along the walls and bottom of the cup.
Do not stir in small areas resulting in uneven coloring.
Mixing the resin in an inconsistent direction will create multiple air bubbles.
Mixing too fast may also lead to multiple and big bubbles, which are not easy to remove air bubbles.
In the next episode, we will share the defoaming and curing of UV resin, the selection of UV lamps and different kinds of UVresin, etc. If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to leave a message in the comment area！
1 comment
Awesome! Thank you. Great information and tips. :)