How to Use Art Resin–Easy Tutorial

Learning how to use resin is like adding a super power to your art skills. It’s a beautiful way to add a gorgeous, high gloss clear coat over photographs or acrylic paintings on wood panels, but its creative possibilities go far beyond that. Resin can be used to cover mosaics, table tops, clay sculptures, and it’s the secret behind realistic food fakes that look real enough to eat– like resin margaritas and resin candy. Once you learn how to use it, it opens up a whole new dimension of craftiness.

Not all epoxy resin products are the same though. Many brands are smelly and noxious cocktails of toxic chemicals, and they can only be used in highly ventilated areas with a NIOSH respirator mask. Scary.

Before doing this project, do your research, read reviews, and look for a non-toxic resin that will produce a non-yellowing clear coat.

I am a huge fan of ArtResin because it is creates an amazing glass-like, shiny finish and it’s non-toxic. It has a zero VOC formula (no Volatile Organic Compounds) and it is also free of BPA.   You can use it indoors without having to wear a respirator mask. No toxic fumes. It’s non-flammable, food safe, and UV stabilized.

I’ve used this brand to coat photographs and tiny little clay sculptures as well as dimensional art installations including a huge 8 foot guitar. I also used it to create a glass-like wings on these dragonflies–

As well as the glossy coating on these butterflies–

Different size kits of ArtResin are available, including 8 ounce mini kits that are the perfect size for trying out on a small project like the one below. For larger projects, a 32 ounce kit works well as it covers up to 8 square feet. I typically will get the 32 ounce kit and use it on multiple projects. It will keep for up to a year if sealed well between uses. Since epoxy resin can be expensive, definitely compare prices.

how to make a resin coated tray

supplies:

• a birch wood panel to use as a tray (choose a larger size if needed, and paint it in your favorite colors before applying resin)
• ArtResin (an 8 ounce mini kit is the perfect size for this project)
• 3 clear cups (two for measuring, and one for mixing)
• stir stick
• toothpick
• vinyl, rubber or latex gloves
• roll of plastic for covering your work space
• towel for cleaning up messes
• a heat source (such as a heat gun or inexpensive mini torch)
• clean box or other item to cover your tray/art and keep it dust free while the resin dries

Step 1:   prep your work space

Cover your work area with plastic.  Resin has the consistency of thick and sticky syrup, only it’s way sticker!  Wear old clothes that won’t be ruined if there’s an accidental spill.  Wear disposable gloves that you can toss after you’re finished mixing and pouring. Make sure the wood panel/tray that you’re working with is on a level surface. 

step 2:  measure the resin & hardener

ArtResin is packaged in two bottles (one containing the resin and the other containing the hardener).    Before you begin mixing the two, estimate how much you’ll need in order to cover the surface area of your tray or art.   My wood panel/tray has a 10 x 10 inch bottom–less than a square foot of space to cover. For that size, I used about 2 ounces of resin and 2 ounces of hardener. If you’re measuring with milliliters, the amount would be about 60 ml of each.

Put on your gloves, and pour equal amounts of resin and hardener into separate cups (resin in one cup, hardener in the other).  If you use clear cups, you can easily see if the amounts are the same.

step 3:  mix

Next, pour the contents of both cups into the third cup.  Use the stir stick to scrape sides of the cups to make sure that the maximum amount of product gets transferred to the third cup.

Stir thoroughly for at least 3 full minutes.   Use the stir stick to scrape the sides and bottom of the mixing cup as you stir to make sure that the resin and hardener will properly mix and catalyze as they should.  You’ll see lots of bubbles beginning to form in the mix as you stir.

step 4:  pour & spread

After stirring thoroughly, pour the resin mixture into the center of the wood panel tray.  ArtResin is self-leveling, which is why it’s crucial to make sure that your wood tray is on a level surface.   You want really nice even coverage.  A layer about 1/8  inch thick works well.

Use the  stir stick or the back of a plastic spoon to ease the resin into the corner areas of the tray.  If any dust particles fall upon the resin while you are working, use a toothpick or something similar to remove them.

step 5:  use heat to eliminate bubbles

You’ll have about 45 minutes of working time before the ArtResin sets.  During this time, all those bubbles that were created during the stirring process will begin to emerge and rise to the surface.   If the bubbles are not eliminated before the resin cures, the surface will look pitted instead of shiny and glassy.    Heat is the best way to get rid of them.   I used a embossing tool/heat gun (it’s the same type of heat tool used for embossing hand-made cards). Simply plug it into an outlet and give it a minute to heat up. Then use the hot stream of air from the nozzle to vaporize the bubbles, holding the tool several inches above the surface of the resin, and keeping it in motion to avoid over-heating any particular area.

Another heat option to consider is an inexpensive kitchen torch–the type that is used to caramelize the top of fancy desserts like creme brulee. It’s powered by butane instead of electricity, so there’s no cord and the heat is intense. It’s much faster at popping the trapped air bubbles than the embossing tool. You’ll need to keep the torch moving and avoid concentrating on any one spot for too long, but it works extremely well for creating a smooth bubble-free surface.

Since my tray has such a small surface area as well as wood sides, I opted for the embossing gun, just to be on the safe side. Had this project been a larger one, not surrounded by wood, the torch would have been the best option for eliminating the bubbles.

In addition to being a great resin tool, a torch also works extremely well for toasting marshmallows, browning meringue, melting cheese and even searing vegetables! If you invest in one, you’ll have an art tool that doubles as a kitchen tool.

step 6:  cover & wait

After all the bubbles are gone, cover the wood tray with a clean box or other container to protect the resin from dust as it cures.  I used an aluminum pan from the grocery store, but any clean container or box will work as long as it is large enough to fit over the tray.

In about 24 hours, the resin will harden to the point that you can touch it.  After 72 hours, it will be fully cured. 

After the resin is fully cured, you can use the tray to hold or display your favorite things.

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