Epoxy Resin FAQ
Whether you’re new to epoxy resin or an experienced artist, you’ll find answers to our most frequently asked questions about choosing, mixing and using epoxy resin.
From selecting the best resin for tumblers, coasters, resin art and deep-pour projects to troubleshooting bubbles, achieving a flawless glossy finish and understanding curing times, our guide is here to help you get the best results from your project.
Choosing the Right Epoxy Resin
Which Apex Resin should I choose for my project?
The best epoxy resin depends on what you’re making, the finish you want and how much working time you need. At Apex Resin, we’ve developed specialist epoxy resin formulations for different applications, from tumblers and glossy top coats to general resin art and deep castings because we know that one resin can’t suit every creation.
If you’re unsure which product is right for you, our Which Resin Should I Choose? Guide can help you find the perfect match.
Which epoxy resin is best for beginners?
We recommend Apex Resin All Purpose as a versatile starting point for beginners who want to explore a variety of resin art and craft projects. If you’re interested in making tumblers, Apex Resin Quantum Regular is a great choice for beginners, its longer working time gives you more opportunity to experiment with colours and designs.
Which resin is best for tumblers?
Apex Resin Quantum has been specifically developed for tumbler making, with a thick consistency and excellent self-levelling properties to help achieve a smooth, glossy finish over suitable decals and decorative elements.
Quantum Regular offers a longer working time for intricate designs, while Quantum Fast Set is ideal if you’re comfortable working more quickly. CurePro and CurePro Fast Set are also perfect for tumbler applications. Both deliver a beautiful, glass-like finish and are formulated to perform across a range of room temperatures. CurePro offers a longer working time, giving you more time to perfect your project, while CurePro Fast Set significantly reduces waiting times, allowing you to apply subsequent layers sooner.
What is the difference between CurePro and CurePro Fast Set?
CurePro has approximately 2–3 hours of working time and becomes touch dry in around 5–6 hours. It’s a great option for projects where you want more time to work.
CurePro Fast Set has approximately 30 minutes of working time and becomes touch dry in around 1–2 hours. It’s better suited to projects where a faster turnaround is important.
Both have a high-viscosity formulation and heat resistance of up to 90°C. Always check the individual product instructions for full curing requirements.
Which resin is best for glossy top coats and doming?
Apex Resin CurePro is our specialist choice for glossy top coats and doming. Its high-viscosity formulation helps the resin stay on the surface, creating a smooth, professional-looking finish.
CurePro Fast Set is an alternative when you need a quicker touch-dry time and can work within its shorter working window.
Which resin is best for deep pours and river tables?
Apex Resin Deep Cast is designed for deep casting applications, including river tables, large castings and flower preservation. It has a very low viscosity to help it flow around embedded objects and can accommodate pours up to 30cm when used according to the product instructions and recommended conditions.
Which resin is best for coasters and projects exposed to heat?
The best option depends on your design, the finish you want and the temperature the finished piece may encounter. Apex Resin Fast Cure offers heat resistance up to 120°C making it perfect for coaster making.
Allow the resin to reach its full cure and optimum heat resistance properties and pour a clear top coat without any pigments, glitters etc that could reduce the heat resistance of the resin.
What is UV resin best used for?
Apex Resin UV is ideal for small projects, jewellery, embellishments and detailed coatings where a quick, clear, glossy finish is desired. It cures under a suitable UV lamp, making it perfect for smaller creations.
Does Apex UV Resin yellow over time?
Apex Resin UV is formulated to resist yellowing and help maintain its crystal-clear clarity.
Are all of your resins non yellowing?
Yes : ) our resins offer the highest UV resistance on the market so your projects will stand the test of time.
Are all of your resins scratch proof?
Yes! All of our resins are scratch proof and offer extra durability for a crystal clear non scratch surface.
What is Eco Pour used for?
Eco Pour is a simple, water-mixable casting powder designed for creative projects such as decorative objects, trays and home décor. Simply add water, mix and pour into your chosen mould.
Is Eco Pour epoxy resin?
No. Eco Pour is a water-based casting powder, not an epoxy resin. It offers an alternative for creating decorative castings without using a two-part epoxy resin system.
Mixing and Using Epoxy Resin
Can I use different Apex Resin products in the same project?
Yes. You can use different Apex Resin formulations in the same project where the products are suitable for the application. For example, you may use one resin for your main artwork and CurePro for a glossy top coat.
Follow the relevant product instructions for surface preparation and recoating. If the previous layer has fully cured, sanding may be needed to help the next layer adhere. Always wear suitable respiratory protection when sanding resin.
We cannot guarantee compatibility between Apex Resin and other brands of epoxy resin.
Can I pour epoxy resin in layers?
Yes. Layering is useful when embedding objects, adding design details or building up a deeper piece.
If the previous layer is still within its recommended re-coating window, follow the product instructions for applying the next layer. If it has fully cured, lightly sand the surface as directed, remove all dust and ensure it is clean and completely dry before re-coating. Always wear suitable respiratory protection when sanding resin.
How much resin will I need for my project?
The amount you need depends on the length, width and depth of your project. Use our Resin Coverage Calculator to estimate the quantity required for your creation or our Eco Pour Coverage Calculator if you are using Eco Pour.
Remember to check the recommended maximum pour depth for your chosen resin as well as the amount you need.
How do I mix resin?
We recommend to mix your resin by volume. Always follow the mixing ratio carefully so your resin cures correctly, changes to this ratio can affect curing. Mix thoroughly, but not vigorously to avoid trapping air for at least 3 minutes scraping around the sides and bottom of the mixing container to combine A and B thoroughly. Separate into smaller containers, as Epoxy Resin heats much faster in larger volumes. This will ensure you have your full working time. Don’t be tempted to add more hardener to make the resin set faster, this affects the balance of each component in the mixture and may affect your cured resin.
How should I get rid of bubbles?
Our resins are all designed to de-gas naturally. After mixing the resin and hardener together, let the mixture settle in the mixing cup for a short time and you will see bubbles rising to the surface and popping. To remove any excess bubbles after pouring, use a cocktail stick to pop or pass warm air over the surface of the resin with a torch or heat gun, we recommend a heat gun with a low speed setting so that you can control the heat. Work at a distance of approximately 10cm above your artwork, any closer than this and you risk creating ripples and dimples in the resin finish. If you are using alcohol inks DO NOT use a flame as alcohol is flammable.
If you are working in a particularly cold environment, we recommended to pre-warm your Part A Resin (Never the Hardener) in a warm (not boiling) water bath before mixing with the hardener. This will return it to a good working temperature. Pre-warming the resin also reduces bubbles. If you are having a hard time with bubbles, this is usually the step you are missing out! Don’t mix the resin and hardener too vigorously as this can cause air to be trapped resulting in more bubbles.
How much pigment should I use?
Never use more than a 10% ratio of pigment to your mixed resin. For example if you have mixed 50g of resin, add no more than 5g of pigment. Add a small amount first and add more until you reach your desired colour. You can always add more pigment but cannot take it away! So start with a small amount and build up.
How do I create cells and lacing?
Our Supreme White Epoxy Pigment Paste creates the perfect ocean waves or cells. Use a heat gun to blend the edges of the resin pigment paste and this will encourage the formation of the cells. Check out our YouTube channel for some great tutorials.
What is the ideal room temperature to work in when I am creating my art and leaving my work to cure?
This is 18 - 25°C. Try to ensure that your room temperature remains constant throughout, particularly during curing. Try not to leave your artwork in a draft or where the temperature will change. Ensure your room has low humidity (ideally below 50%) as high humidity, low ambient temperatures, draughty or air conditioned environments can affect the finished result of resin. If your room is below 15°C, preheat part A resin in a warm water bath before mixing with the hardener.
If you are struggling with low room temperatures and curing issues, we recommend our CurePro range. It has been specifically designed to cure perfectly, even when temperatures are extremely low or high, taking the stress out of the curing process!
How much resin should I use as a Top Coat?
We recommend up to 5mm as a topcoat layer, always ensure the below layer is touch dry before applying a top coat. A clear top coat can provide protection for your artwork and ensure the resin has its optimum heat resistance as colourants can affect this. Our Apex Resin CurePro is the best resin for top coats and doming producing a professional finish every time!
How long should I wait before pouring a second layer of Resin?
Let your first coat of resin cure until it is hard, but still sticky. This sticky layer allows the second coat of resin to adhere to the first layer. Mix the resin for your second coat and apply to the first layer at this stage. If the resin has cured for longer than this time and is no longer sticky, sanding is required to create a rough surface for the second layer to adhere to. Remove all dust and ensure it is clean and completely dry. The rough surface will disappear once the second layer is applied creating a crystal clear surface. Always wear a respirator when sanding partially cured resin.
How long do I need to wait for the resin to be fully cured and at the optimum heat resistance?
This depends on the resin you are using, detailed information regarding this is given on each of our resins product page and in the provided instruction leaflet received with your kit.
Troubleshooting
My resin has crystallised?
Resin can be affected by the cold (we know how it feels!) This can cause either the resin to crystallise or to produce more bubbles in the pour. Both are easily sorted. Pre-warm your Part A Resin (Never the Hardener) in a warm (not boiling) water bath before mixing with the hardener. This will return it to a runny state if it has crystallised and a good working temperature plus reducing bubble formation.
Why has my resin not cured?
This is usually due to the following factor - the resin and hardener were not thoroughly mixed before use. You may have added too much colourant. The mixing ratio was not measured accurately enough. The resin was too cold or temperatures fluctuated whilst curing. Pouring a layer too thin can also result in your resin still being bendy. Always mix the resin and hardener for at least 3 minutes (use a timer) and scrape the sides and bottom of the container to combine thoroughly. Ensure you measure your resin and hardener accurately as this can affect the balance needed for curing, we recommend to mix by volume. Ensure you are working in the correct environment, see the information above. Contact us if you still struggling and need some help : )
Why do I see a wrinkled effect in my cured resin?
This is a tell tale sign that your resin has become too hot. Either you have waited too long to pour and the resin has started to cure (it has passed it’s working time) or it has been mixed and left in a large volume for too long and overheated. Always abide by working times and separate your mixed resin and hardener into smaller containers as epoxy resin heats much faster in larger volumes. Always check you are working in the correct environment (for more details, see above for working conditions) Ensure you wait long enough before applying a second layer of resin (see above for advice on this) To rectify this, the surface can be sanded (always wear a respirator when sanding) a new resin layer can then be poured to leave a crystal clear result.
Why I am seeing a greasy, waxy covering on my resin surface?
This is called Amine Blush and is a common issue for all resins. Amine Blush is caused when the resin and hardener react with moisture in the air. Try to ensure that you work in a room with a temperature between 18 - 25°C and a humidity ideally below 50%. Ensure that your room temperature remains constant throughout, particularly during curing. Try not to work in an area or leave your artwork to cure in a draft or where the temperature will change. High humidity, low ambient temperatures, draughty or air conditioned environments can affect the finished result of resin. Preheating your part A resin in a warm water bath before mixing with the hardener can avoid this also. To remove this, use an abrasive pad and water (no solvent) a mild soap can be added, rinse and then allow to dry before adding any further layers of resin. Our CurePro range eradicates amine blush as it can handle difficult room temperatures or humidity. If you are struggling with amine blush we definitely recommend you give this resin a try.
Visit our blog for more information and to select your perfect resin.
If you need any more advice, or your question isn’t listed here. Don’t hesitate to ask.
We are always happy to help!
