Question about making jewelry with clear resin…?
I have been making pendants with wood tiles and then covering them with clear resin that I bought at a craft store. As you know, most of these resin products come in two separate parts and when mixed, they can be applied and then harden to create a glass like finish. Usually, I have no trouble with this product. However, if I don’t mix the two parts in exact equal measure, the pendent may not dry completely and is very slightly sticky when finished. One of the bottles of the resin mix is labeled “hardener.” If I rub just a small amount of this hardener onto the finished pendant, do you think it will counteract the stickiness and finish properly? If not, is there a way to get rid of this problem aside from making brand new pendants?
First, the type of resin you’re describing is an epoxy resin (mixed one to one).
The other main kind of craft resin is polyester resin (mixed a few drops of catalyst/hardener to a much larger amount of resin), and that type can stay sticky on the surface which dried next to the air normally, so it’s usually used for casting in molds or using between sheets of fiberglass.
Epoxy resins aren’t supposed to be cast or layered more than 1/8″ at a time (up to a total of 1/2″)… when doing more than one layer, each layer has to be cured before the next one is added. Don’t know if that could be your problem though.
Wood can be a problem too since if it hasn’t been sealed it may always contain a bit of residual moisture (which can make bubbles at least) and it’s porous.
So if you’re using bare wood tiles, you might want to seal them first (permanent white glue thinned 3 or 4 to 1 with water is probably easiest), then let dry thoroughly before they come in contact with the resin.
The other thing is that there are specific conditions required for the best cure of resins… humidity and temperature (as well as proper mixing proportions, mixing, and applying).
Here some info about those issues from my site:
Work in reasonably well ventilated area
…do not mix or pour in direct sunlight
…best results, temperatures between 68° and 80°
…best hardness, pour and cure at humidity below 50%
…mix up only the amount you’ll use in 20 minutes or less (…for larger areas, best to have a helper to make new batches)
Mixing……(keep capped tightly when not in use)
…pour resin in one cup and hardener in another cup (equal amounts)…
…then pour one part into the other part
…mix very thoroughly for 1-2 min (for clearest result)… scraping the sides and bottom of container continuously
…some people recommend pouring into a new cup (then mixing 30 sec. more), so any unmixed liquid in bottom will stay in first cup
……uncured ‘sticky’ spots will result from any part of the liquid which is not thoroughly mixed (can’t chemically react, so won’t cure)
……..in that case, scrape the spots from the cured surface… scrub well with acetone or rubbing alcohol… then re-pour entire surface
Allow item to cure in a warm, draft free and non-dusty room ….away from children, pets, activity, fans, etc.
……protect resin surface from dust & pet hair during curing by placing a cardboard box over the item, for example
…leave undisturbed for at least 24 hrs.
……sets up in 3-5 hrs, depending on temp & humidity
……cures to touch in 12 hrs.
……full cure in 48-72 hrs …for example, at 80º (4 hr set up, 60 hr full cure), or at 70º (5 hr set up, 72 hr full cure)
There’s more info on using epoxy resins and polyester resins on that page, if you want to check it out:
http://glassattic.com/polymer/other_materials.htm
You can always add more epoxy resin over epoxy resin (or over polyester resin, though no polyester over epoxy), and/or scrape or sand it down first to get rid of any stickiness presuming you do everything else right the final time, I guess.
HTH,
Diane B.
Free Glass Tile Pendant Tutorial Instructions Video
|
|
LILIES ~ Scrabble Tile Wine Glass Charms ~ Set #2 ~ PAIR & A SPARE ~ Set of 3 ~ Stemware Charms/Markers/Pendants $19.99 LILIES ~ Wine Glass Charm Collection! Set #2 includes 3 different, individual charms so you can easily identify your glass by the charm attached around the stem. Need more? Pick up two, three or more sets for your next gathering. I have many sets for you to choose from. ALL ORDERS SHIP PRIORITY USPS. ***NOTE*** I can ship (6 sets of 3) in a $6.95 – 1 lb. Priority Box so be sure to check out my … |
|
|
RAVENS & CROWS ~ Scrabble Tile Wine Glass Charms ~ Set #2 ~ PAIR & A SPARE ~ Set of 3 ~ Stemware Charms/Markers/Pendants $39.99 RAVENS & CROWS ~ Wine Glass Charm Collection! Set #2 includes 3 different, individual charms so you can easily identify your glass by the charm attached around the stem. Need more? Pick up two, three or more sets for your next gathering. I have many sets for you to choose from. ALL ORDERS SHIP PRIORITY USPS. ***NOTE*** I can ship (6 sets of 3) in a $6.95 – 1 lb. Priority Box so be sure to check… |
|
|
SLOTHS ~ Scrabble Tile Wine Glass Charms ~ Set #2 ~ PAIR & A SPARE ~ Set of 3 ~ Stemware Charms/Markers/Pendants $19.99 SLOTHS ~ Wine Glass Charm Collection! Set #2 includes 3 different, individual charms so you can easily identify your glass by the charm attached around the stem. Need more? Pick up two, three or more sets for your next gathering. I have many sets for you to choose from. ALL ORDERS SHIP PRIORITY USPS. ***NOTE*** I can ship (6 sets of 3) in a $6.95 – 1 lb. Priority Box so be sure to check out my … |
|
|
Mr. Beams MB 980 Battery-Operated Indoor/Outdoor Motion-Sensing LED Ceiling Light, White $17.99 Mr. Beams Intelligent LED Battery-Operated Lights Motion Sensor LED Ceiling Light Features Attach a ceiling light anywhere: in your closet, stairway, attic, basement, utility room, porch, gazebo, garage or shower. Mr. Beams offers simple installation with no wiring and no electrician needed. MB980 Ceiling Lightat a Glance: Battery-po… |
|
|
2.0mm Diamond Drill Bit – 10 Pack (Made In USA) $17.50 Lasco’s diamond coated drills work great for cutting 2.0mm holes in stone, glass, wood, tile, metal, and more. They are great for making holes for jewelry, including beads, pendants, and earrings…. |
|
|
Ginger 4584/PN Columnar Pendant Light, Polished Nickel $348.40 Ginger 4584/PN Columnar Pendant Light, Polished NickelGinger is one of the foremost American companies working in the field of bathroom accessories, lighting, mirrors and related products. The wide Ginger assortment permits nearly total coordination for the bathroom and beyond…. |
|
|
#5373 Tila Beads $10.16 How exciting it is for designers and beaders to have a completely new shape of bead to incorporate into their work! Tile-shaped, two-hole Tila beads by Miyuki add new possibilities to beadwork. The two holes invite asymmetrical design lines, and the shape and size of Tila beads makes them play well with other seed beads already in your stash. The pages of this book are filled with 10 fabulous brac… |
|
|
Red Poppy Flower Glass Tile Pendant Necklace with Chain $14.95 A beautiful art print embedded under a piece of glass in a lovely silver tray. Necklace includes a 24″ silver ball chain necklace that can easily be adjusted to create your desired length…. |
|
|
Zebra Animal Art Print Glass Tile Pendant Necklace w/ chain $14.95 A beautiful art print embedded under a piece of glass in a lovely silver tray. Necklace includes a 24″ silver ball chain necklace that can easily be adjusted to create your desired length…. |
|
|
Nana Tree of Life Glass Tile Pendant Necklace w/chain $14.95 A beautiful art print embedded under a piece of glass in a lovely silver tray. Necklace includes a 24″ silver ball chain necklace that can easily be adjusted to create your desired length…. |
