Best Epoxy Resin – Find the Optimal Resin for Your Projects

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There is now an almost unmanageable number of epoxy resins for different applications on the market. Finding the right resin for each and every application can be quite a challenge if you don’t know what to look for. Our Best Epoxy Resin Guide will provide you with a useful overview of the products that are most suitable for your application and project, and also where you can find them.

 

 

What You Should Pay Attention to When Buying Epoxy Resin

Due to the boom in epoxy resin crafts and applications, every day sees more and more cheap products arrive on the market, and they can be very tempting at first sight. However, for the best and most predicable results, we always recommend that you rely on branded products of well-known manufacturers, which may cost a little more, but have qualitatively better properties than cheap resins do.

best epoxy resin

 

 

The Best Epoxy Resin for River Tables

The enthusiasm for creating epoxy resin river tables just keeps growing. he combination of wood and epoxy allows you to produce the most beautiful tables in all variations. However, the production itself requires fairly significant preparation and practice. Depending on the size of the table, as much as 10kg of resin or more may be required to cast a tabletop that is 5cm or 2″ thick.

ebook epoxy resin header resin expert

The thickness of this layer is absolutely crucial – the casting resin used to make a river table must be specially designed for this application to achieve such a thick layer in one pour.

resin river table

If you were to use a commercially available, inexpensive resin, the exothermic reaction may generate too much heat, causing damage to the wood and surrounding materials. It is therefore worth using a well-tested product to cast your table by patiently pouring several thin layers of resin on top of each other. Each of these layers should be allowed to harden for several hours before the next layer is applied. There is, of course, also a special product designed to accelerate the curing process if you really cannot afford to wait.

 

The Following Properties of Epoxy Resin are Particularly Important for Making River Tables:

  • A layer thickness of up to 5cm/2″ should be possible
  • The resin must be processable in large quantities without generating excessive heat
  • A longer pot life is recommended so that the air bubbles can escape more easily
  • UV protection should be included so that as little yellowing as possible occurs

 

Best Epoxy Resin for River Tabletops

INCREDIBLE SOLUTIONS Deep Pour Clear Casting Resin
  • Thick pours up to 2" per application, low viscosity and long working time
  • Super clear results, compatible with pigments and dyes
  • 2 : 1 mix ratio by volume (100 A to 44 B by weight)
View on Amazon

 

 

The Best Epoxy Resin Products for Resin Art and Crafts

The term Resin Art incorporates a wide array of techniques used to produce decorative objects and artworks from epoxy resin. The spectrum ranges from pictures created by pouring resin colored with pigments onto a wooden painting substrate and the production of resin jewelry, to the casting of objects, geodes, and coasters. As the majority of these applications involve thin layers with color pigments or liquid paint mixed in, the resin must not be too liquid, as the individual colors would otherwise saturate the resin far too quickly, resulting in an unsightly muddled color tone.

resin art

There are specialized products for use in resin art, which have been specifically formulated to meet the the needs of resin artists. The focus here is on ensuring that as far as possible, no solvents are used, that no volatile organic compounds escape, and that fumes are limited during processing. In addition, professional epoxy resins are equipped with a UV filter of the highest possible quality.

The use of UV filters is to prevent the resin from yellowing and the pigments and dyes contained within from fading. It is important to note that epoxy will always lose a little of its crystal clear transparency and will yellow to varying degrees over time. However, where a good quality resin has been used, this will be hardly noticeable, especially if mixed with fade-resistant dyes and pigments.

 

What to Look for in Epoxy Resin for Art:

  • The resin should be medium to high viscosity (rather viscous) to ensure good color separation
  • This resin is often called “laminating resin”, which was developed for coatings
  • The processing time should be long enough to cast the picture or artwork, usually about 30 minutes
  • UV protection should be included to reduce yellowing

 

Best Epoxy Resin for Resin Art and Crafts

PRO MARINE Supplies ProArt Epoxy Resin
  • Specifically designed for art projects, excellent color stability
  • Very easy to use with 1 : 1 mixing ratio, 100% solids, hard-shell finish
  • High gloss and crystal clear, your all-seal solution, excellent air release
View on Amazon

 

 

Epoxy Resin Floor Coatings: Our Recommendations

Epoxy resin floor coatings are now in common use. The unique characteristics of this material makes it a very popular choice for both living spaces and garage floors. In domestic settings epoxy can be used for all kinds of floors. This starts with the basement, continues into spaces such as bedrooms and living rooms, and ends with kitchen floors and bathroom floors. Epoxy is also increasingly used to provide a protective layer on wooden floors.

Epoxy garage floor coating

It is important that epoxy used for flooring cures to a hard surface that is still sufficiently elastic to withstand all loads. With these special products for floor coating, ease of application is also very important, as is ensuring that the bubbles that form during mixing escape before the product cures.

Most epoxy floor coating products can be purchased ready-mixed with a wide range of colors. this saves you the trouble of having to work out how much of which exact color dye to use, as color accuracy is a given (according to standard RAL). Further information and instructions regarding epoxy floor coatings can be found in our detailed guides to epoxy flooring.

 

The Following is Important when Choosing Epoxy Resin Products for Floor Coating:

  • The resin should be self-leveling for a level floor covering
  • Air bubbles should escape by themselves if possible
  • The processing time should be long enough to be able to process larger areas
  • UV protection should be included so that less yellowing and color changes occur in sunlight
  • Good abrasion resistance and impact strength

 

Best Epoxy Resin Floor Coating Kits:

RUST-OLEUM EpoxyShield Garage Floor Coating
 
  • Durable, epoxy formula for garage floors, workshops, basements, and more
  • Hardens within 24 hours, drive-on ready in 72 hours
  • Super adhesion on surfaces and covers up to 500 sq ft
  View on Amazon
RUST-OLEUM RockSolid Pearlescent Floor Coating Kit
 
  • Polycuramine formula combines polyurea and urethane with epoxy
  • High shine finish resembling quartz or granite on your garage floor
  • Excellent hardness, adhesion, durability, and chemical resistance
  View on Amazon
SUPERCOAT Waterborne Urethane Glaze Coat
  • Breathable two component waterborne urethane, clear topcoat for Supercoat epoxy floors, non-yellowing
  • Industrial grade, Good chemical resistance, High gloss finish, Resists damaged caused by gasoline, brake fluid, standing water and battery acid
  • Protects epoxy floor from scratches, Encapsulates decorative flake, easy to clean
View on Amazon

 

 

How to Find the Best Epoxy Resin for Jewelry

Epoxy resin can be used to create beautiful jewelry from silicone molds. The types of jewelry that can be cast in this way range from earrings, rings and necklace pendants to larger items like bangles. Both clear or colored resin can be used, and materials such as wood, and items like glitter flecks and small shells can also be incorporated.

jewelry resin

In contrast to the casting of larger objects, the maximum layer thickness is not necessarily decisive here, but rather good UV protection, good workability and good color separation when casting several colors. Crystal-clear curing is also important for casting objects. If you pay attention to these properties, nothing stands in the way of you creating your own epoxy resin jewelry.

 

What to Consider when Choosing Epoxy Resin for Jewelry:

  • The resin used must be very hard so that the piece of jewelry does not scratch
  • If possible, air bubbles should escape by themselves during casting, or be removed with a butane torch
  • UV protection should be included so that limited yellowing and color changes occur in sunlight

 

The Best Resin for Jewelry

INCREDIBLE SOLUTIONS UV PRO Clear Coating Table Top Epoxy
  • Enhanced UV inhibitors to resist yellowing
  • Self-leveling, super clear results
  • 1 : 1 mix ratio by volume (100 A to 83 B by weight)
View on Amazon
PRO MARINE Supplies ProArt Epoxy Resin
  • Specifically designed for art projects, excellent color stability
  • Very easy to use with 1 : 1 mixing ratio, 100% solids, hard-shell finish
  • High gloss and crystal clear, your all-seal solution, excellent air release
View on Amazon

 

 

The Best UV Resin

UV Resin is a special type of epoxy resin that is already mixed and ready for immediate use. What this means, is that the resin curing process is already underway when you purchase it, but at a very slow rate. When exposed to UV the curing process is rapidly accelerated to where the mixture hardens in minutes. The benefits of this type of resin are that you do not have to accurately measure and mix a resin with a hardener yourself, and the epoxy cures very quickly once exposed to a UV light. The drawback is that because you are purchasing a resin that is already curing, you must use it within a set time-frame or it will go hard over time.

uv resin

UV resin is particularly suitable for small molds or surfaces where rapid curing is required, i.e. for repairs, jewelry making and other applications in the home. It is essential that UV resin should only be applied in very thin layers to allow the UV to reach every part of it, or it will not cure properly.

 

This is Important when Buying UV resin:

  • The consistency of the fluid should match the application purpose
  • If possible, air bubbles should escape by themselves during casting, or be removed with a butane torch
  • A good curing under UV light is essential, use a specialist UV lamp for best results
  • The odor emissions can be higher than with conventional epoxy resin

 

The Best UV Resin

LIMINO UV Resin
  • High-quality UV resin is self-leveling and self-degassing
  • The resin is non-toxic and dries to a beautiful glossy finish
  • Does not yellow over time and cures to a hard consistency
View on Amazon
DECOR ROM UV Resin
  • Produces a hard, glossy, and scratch-resistant finish once cured
  • Once cured, resists stains and does not yellow over time
  • Cures in 1 - 2 Minutes with a powerful UV light
View on Amazon
LET'S RESIN Translucent Colored UV Resin Kit
  • This kit from Let's Resin comes with 10 different colors
  • No need of using mixing caps, spatulas and other tools
  • Dries hard with UV light or sunlight to produce a glossy finish
View on Amazon

 

 

Find the Best Casting Resin

In contrast to the creation of resin art pictures or the coating of surfaces, the requirements for resin casting are completely different. Since casting objects in molds involve laying down thicker layers, casting resin must not cure too quickly. The faster resin cures, the more potentially damaging heat is generated.

kunstharz gießen

Another reason for a slower curing time is to allow the air bubbles that form when resin is mixed and poured to escape. Conventional laminating resins are useful for thicknesses of approx. 2cm to 3cm /1″.  Any layer thicker than that requires a specially developed casting resin.

 

This is Important when Buying Epoxy Resin for Casting:

  • Casting resins are usually rather thin-bodied, i.e. low viscosity
  • A long open time reduces the heat development during curing
  • Layer thicknesses up to at least 5 cm should be possible
  • A UV-filter should be available, because during molding the resin is often not colored but left transparent

 

The Best Casting Resin

INCREDIBLE SOLUTIONS Deep Pour Clear Casting Resin
  • Thick pours up to 2" per application, low viscosity and long working time
  • Super clear results, compatible with pigments and dyes
  • 2 : 1 mix ratio by volume (100 A to 44 B by weight)
View on Amazon
LET'S RESIN Deep Pour Crystal Clear Epoxy
  • Super clear epoxy with highest resistance to UV yellowing and no VOC's
  • Ideal for deep multi-layered castings with 8 hour cure-time at room temp.
  • Suitable for paint pouring, casting jewelry, coasters, table tops, and more
View on Amazon

 

 

Technical Questions: What is Epoxy Resin?

Epoxy resin is an extremely versatile synthetic resin, which consists of two components: a resin and the hardener. When these two components are mixed together a chemical reaction occurs which causes the material to harden, usually within a few hours. Usually, the mixing ratio of resin and hardener is 1 to 1, or 1 to 2.

There are different casting resins for different applications. These range from fast curing resins to slow curing resins, all with extremely hard and durable surfaces and a variety of other properties. Of all the things to consider when choosing the best resin for your purposes, heat resistance and the maximum possible layer thickness are amongst the most important.

 

Different Properties of Epoxy Depending on the Product:

  • Curing time
  • Maximum layer thickness per casting process
  • Adhesion to various materials
  • Viscosity
  • Final hardness after complete curing

In our brief guide below we will show you what to look out for when choosing between different epoxy resins.

resin epoxy

 

Which Applications Suit Epoxy Resin?

Epoxy resin is very versatile. Here is a brief overview of common uses:

 

Buying Epoxy Resin – Things to Keep in Mind

Epoxy resins are available in most home improvement stores, in specialist shops, or online. In our experience, the internet provides the cheapest supply of epoxy, with the widest range of products. Not only is every high-quality product available at online retailers, but is also easy to compare products in terms of features, pricing, and customer reviews.

Resin is not exactly a cheap material, and it can be tempting to buy the cheapest possible products. In our experience, however, this is usually not a good idea, as these products are not only harmful to health (they contain solvents that escape during curing), but the quality is often lacking. That means that the resin mixture will not cure completely or will be difficult to mix. Epoxy has many benefits, but one inherent flaw: it degrades when exposure to UV. This means that if your resin does not include a UV filter, it will start to yellow within hours of exposure to sunlight. Good quality resin will be crystal clear when mixed, and remain so long after curing

Tip: It is therefore worth buying high-quality resin products!

Keeping all this in mind, we have collected, tested and clearly arranged the best epoxy resin products and listed them in the form of comparisons and by application purpose.

 

Which Epoxy Resin Should I Use for My Project?

Understanding the terminology applied to different types of resins, and what each property referred to means in terms of using the resin along with the implications for the final result, is very useful when it comes to choosing resin. To help you navigate around the various types of resin we will discuss widely used terms relating to epoxy resin, such as high and low viscosity, laminating and casting resins, and curing-, open-, and processing-time below.

resin gießen

 

Low Viscosity Casting Resin

Very thin, liquid, or fluid resin is termed as having low viscosity. This resin is particularly useful for making castings, which is why it also commonly called casting resin. The watery consistency is important for making complex casts, as you need the resin to reach even the smallest and most remote parts on the mold. A thicker resin will not do this, resulting in an casting where surface details or entire sections may be completely missing. Low viscosity casting resin usually has a much longer working time, meaning that it can take up to 12-24 hours to cure. The longer reaction time ensures that much less heat is generated, which is why larger quantities and thicker layers can be applied in one go.

 

Low Viscosity Resin is Optimal for the Following Applications:

 

High Viscosity Epoxy Resin / Laminating Resin

Thick epoxy with a consistency of honey is termed high viscosity resin and is also known as laminating resin. This product is designed for coating surfaces. The thicker consistency means that it will adhere to a surface without running off of it before curing. Depending on the manufacturer, it should only be poured up to a maximum thickness of 1cm – 2cm or 1/2 ” to 1″.

 

Laminating Resin is Used For:

Arbeitsplatte versiegeln

 

Processing of Different Viscosities – Layer Thickness

As you will have realized by now, layering and layer thickness are very important factors in using any type of resin. It may seem counter-intuitive, but the thicker the casting will be, the more liquid (less viscous) the resin should be. Not only does low viscosity resin heats up less quickly when poured thicker, but air bubbles can be more easily removed. As the layer remains liquid for longer, you will have enough time to remove bubbles by slowly and carefully moving a butane torch or hot air dryer across the surface. Heating the air trapped in the resin causes it to rise to the surface and escape, leaving your resin with a solid and even consistency.

Thick resin, on the other hand, should ideally not be poured thicker than around 1cm or half an inch. Not only will the higher viscosity cause the resin to generate a lot of heat while curing, but air will have more difficulty moving through the thicker resin and will become trapped inside, ruining the resin’s consistency and potentially weakening the structure.

Hint: Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on the packaging. The total amount of material that should be processed at a time is generally indicated.

 

 

Processing and Curing Time

 

Processing Time

One of the most important factors to keep in mind when choosing resin for your project is the processing time, also known as open time or pot life. This term refers to the length of time that you will be able to use and easily manipulate the resin once the two components have been mixed together.

At a certain stage in the curing process, the resin will start to become thick or lumpy, at which point it should not be processed any further. Once it has reached this consistency it will not level itself and will not mix evenly with tints and dyes. If you are planning on undertaking a complex project that will involve mixing multiple different colors and covering a large area or filling a huge mold, take care to choose a resin with a long processing time/open time/pot life. Also, only mix as much resin as you can use within the processing time window.

 

Curing time

The term curing time refers to how long it will take epoxy to completely dry from the moment it is first mixed. This time can vary slightly depending on environmental factors like temperature and humidity, which is why it is generally given as a time range, rather than an exact number of hours. The processing time is generally closely related to the curing time. So, if you are looking for an epoxy that will stay malleable for a long time so that you can do a complex project, but then cure quickly once you are done, you will not have much luck finding one.

 

What are the Processing and Time Ranges for Epoxy Resins?

  • Short processing times can range from 20 minutes to one hour, with a cure time of around 24 hours
  • Long working times can be up to 12 hours with a cure time of around a week

epoxy for wood

 

Advantages and Disadvantages of Different Processing Times

 

Short Processing Time

Pros

  • Special effects can be achieved when dyeing these resins
  • Faster build-up of the layers: new layers can be cast in much less time

Cons

  • Higher bubble formation, venting is difficult
  • As a rule, yellowing is more likely to occur with UV radiation

 

Long Processing Time

Pros

  • Long working time allows you to mix different colors and work carefully
  • When casting transparent layers, the transitions of the successively cast layers are less visible

Cons

  • More mixing bowls and spatulas are needed when pouring several layers
  • Much longer curing time

How to make Resin Jewelry

 

 

Primary Properties of Epoxy Resin

The use of epoxy resin has increased massively in recent years and there is a reason for this – the numerous positive properties of this material. If you are considering epoxy for a project it may be helpful to have some insight into the benefits and weaknesses of this material.

 

The Positive Properties of Epoxy Resin

The following properties apply once the epoxy resin has cured. This can take up to a week depending on the product and manufacturer. Always refer to the information provided on the product packaging. If no information is provided by the manufacturer it is advisable to use another product, preferably one from a reputable company. Remember that curing times can vary slightly due to environmental factors, but if the resin appears to be dry long before the given cure time is up, the chemical process may still be underway. In the case of castings, do not demold before the entire cure time has elapsed.

  • Very high strength
  • Insensitive to impact
  • High abrasion resistance
  • Hardly any cracking if the substrate is well prepared
  • Good resistance to acid and corrosion
  • High electrical insulation properties
  • Good heat deflection temperature
  • Hardly flammable in liquid state
  • Low shrinkage during drying
  • Very good adhesive properties on almost all materials
  • High resistance to weathering
  • For corresponding products: Good UV-resistance
  • High density of approx. 1, 2 grams per cubic centimeter
  • Very low shrinkage from liquid to hard state
  • Incredibly good durability
  • Extremely resistant to mechanical stress

epoxy river table

 

Negative Properties of Epoxy Resin

Every material has some disadvantages. As far as epoxy is concerned, the list is quite short:

 

  • Light fastness to UV radiation not 100% guaranteed – may degrade under UV
  • Not 100% acid resistant with highly concentrated acid
  • May cause allergies and rashes in the liquid state in contact with skin
  • Removal of cured resin is time-consuming

 

Is Epoxy Resin Toxic?

Liquid epoxy resin and hardener both contain substances that should not come into direct contact with the skin. Direct skin contact can result in allergic reactions and irritation of the skin, while some resins and hardeners may emit fumes before curing that could affect your eyes and respiratory system.

 

Protective Measures to be Taken When Working with Epoxy Resin

  • Wear nitrile gloves
  • Use breathing mask with filter
  • wear safety goggles
  • Work in well-ventilated rooms
  • Wear long-sleeved clothing or a protective suit
  • The mixing vessel should not be filled completely, otherwise the liquid could spill over the edge during mixing.

If you follow these basic rules, nothing stands in the way of processing. Please also observe any additional  the safety instructions on the product packaging. If you would like to know more, we have compiled detailed information on epoxy resin processing in a separate article.

 

 

Coloring Epoxy Resin – How Does it Work?

Resin is normally colorless and transparent. This is desirable for some applications like casting of objects, or terrarium and aquarium construction for example. For the majority of applications, such as the manufacture of jewelry or the casting of objects, will involve tinting the resin.

resin casting

 

What Can Be Used to Color Epoxy Resin?

A whole range of pigments, dyes, inks, and some paints are suitable for adding either translucent or opaque color to resin. These inlcude:

Paints containing water like watercolor should be avoided at all costs. The water-content has an undesirable effect on the epoxy resin which is unable to absorb the water. Alcohol inks blends extremely well with resin, as does mica powders, pigment powders, and specially formulated liquid resin tints and dyes.

It is worth buying high quality products, as the light-fastness of the colors is an important aspect. It is extremely annoying if the finished, dyed work fades after a few weeks.

Painting the surface of cured resin is also a possibility, but only in special applications such as terrarium or aquarium construction. In this case, a high-quality 2-component car paint should be used. Keep in mind that cured resin has a glossy smooth and non-porous surface that paint will not easily to adhere to.

We have prepared a comprehensive guide on the subject of coloring epoxy resin, which presents the best products and tells you what you should bear in mind when tinting and dyeing resin.

 

 

Sealing Wood with Epoxy Resin

If you want to provide a wooden surface with an excellent moisture and impact barrier, you have a wide range of epoxy sealants to choose from. Wooden areas that can benefit from epoxy coatings include:

  • Kitchen counters such as butcher-block
  • Tables
  • Bar counters
  • Boat repairs with gelcoat or topcoat
  • Wooden flooring

You can learn more about the many uses for epoxy in wood care in our guide to epoxy resin for wood.

epoxy tables

 

 

Removing Epoxy Resin

Excellent adhesive properties and mechanical strength make removing epoxy resin quite difficult. Since mechanical removal is very time-consuming, it is easier to first liquefy and then scrape off unwanted epoxy.

Epoxy can be liquified by treated the surface with acetone. Wait one hour for the solvent to penetrate and soften the epoxy. When the surface is no longer completely hard use a hot air gun to heat the area to about 200 degrees. At this temperature the resin will becomes liquid again and can then be scraped off.

Take care that any surrounding materials, such as wood or plastic, do not become too hot or burn. Further information and detailed instructions can be found in our article on Removing Epoxy Resin.

It is very important to use a good breathing mask to avoid inhaling any fumes that may occur during the removal process.

 

 

Food Safe Epoxy Resin

In general, epoxy resin is food safe as soon as it is completely cured. Just keep in mind that this can take up to several weeks. Epoxy resins can also be certified specifically for food contact, but due to the high cost of official food safety certification, most manufacturers will not have their products undergo this process.

epoxidharz lebensmittelecht

 

 

Processing Cured Epoxy Resin

Once epoxy resin has completely cured, it takes on pretty much the same qualities as a hard piece of plastic. This means that it you can make further adjustments or additions to your epoxy object or surface. Epoxy can be processed in the following ways:

  • Drilling
  • Sanding
  • Polishing

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Where Can You Buy Epoxy Resin?

Epoxy resin should ideally be purchased on the Internet. Apart from the significantly lower price, you will find the largest selection of products here – so you can find the right product for you. Because there is not only one type of epoxy resin, but many different products with different properties.

 

How Much Epoxy Resin Do I Need for My Project?

We have created a comprehensive epoxy resin calculator to help you calculate the amount of epoxy resin / resin you need.

 

How Much Does Epoxy Resin Cost?

The cost of epoxy resin varies greatly. For one liter of resin you can pay from 7 USD to over 20 USD The price differences can be explained mainly by the place of production and the properties or each individual product.

 

Which Dyes Can Be Used to Color Epoxy Resin?

There is a whole range of coloring agents available for coloring epoxy resin: special epoxy resin color pastes, color pigments, airbrush colors and alcohol inks.

 

How Can I Mix the Epoxy Resin Components?

The mixing of epoxy resin must be carried out carefully so that the two components mix completely in the exact correct ratio so that the material can harden optimally. You can find more on this topic in our separate article Mixing Epoxy Resin.