Epoxy Resin
Two-component epoxy compound. The two components, resin
and hardener, are mixed together with a 1:1 ratio to form
a high gloss finish.
Crystal clear with excellent bubble release.
Cures to the touch after 12 hours.
The cured resin forms a tough, durable coating that is
impervious to moisture, solvents, and cosmetics.
It does not contain any solvents or offensive odors.
Many objects can be embedded into epoxy resin. Such as
dried flowers, charms, shells, buttons etc. Never embed
fresh or wet items.
Can be layered in the findings without seams or lines.
Can be colored with transparent tints or opaque pigments.
There is also an opalescence pigment. Fine glitter or metallic
powders can be added for sparkling effects.
Paper pieces needs to be coated with white glue before
coating with epoxy resin. The glue must be completely dry
and clear before adding the resin.
Envirotex Lite is designed as a coating, but will work
well in the Patera™ Findings because
of the shallow depth. If Envirotex Lite is poured into a
thicker layer, it will yellow or crack. Envirotex Lite holds
a beautiful dome when poured into the Patera Findings.
EasyCast is designed to pour into a thicker layer and
stay crystal clear. It has a thinner viscosity and will
take two pours to dome properly in the Patera™
Findings.
Popular, easy to find brands include
Envirotex Lite and EasyCast, manufactured by Environmental
Technology Inc. www.eti-usa.com
Colores Epoxy Resin, www.riogrande.com
Doming Resins, www.riogrande.com
Follow these steps when using a two-part epoxy resin
1. Cover your work area with wax paper to protect the
work surface. Glue and seal the paper piece into the Patera™
finding. Let the glue dry completely before proceeding.
2. Warming the epoxy resin
By warming the resin before measuring ensures even mixing
of the product and minimal bubbles. Fill a small bowl with
warm tap water. You should be able to place your hand in the
water without discomfort. Place the bottles in the water for
10 minutes to warm. Do not place the bottles in hot water!
Overheating will cause the casting resin to set up too quickly:
Remove the bottles and wipe dry with a paper towel.
3. Measuring
With the marker, label the measuring cups #1 and #2. Estimate
the amount of resin needed to fill the number of Patera™
Findings you wish to make. Mix only what you need, you cannot
save the mixed resin for a second pouring. You need to mix
a minimum of two ounces for proper mixing so plan to fill
many findings at once. Measure out equal amounts of hardener
and resin in container #1. Do not guess - the measurements
need to be exact or the castings will not harden properly.
4. Mixing in container # I
Mix the hardener and the resin together well for a full two
minutes. Scrape the sides and the stir stick often to ensure
you have mixed completely If you are adding colorant, you
can add it now to container #1 and mix well for an additional
30 seconds.
You can add colorants to the resin at this point. Both transparent
tints and opaque pigments are available and designed for resins.
The amber tint makes the resin a beautiful sepia tone for
an antiqued, aged look. Add a tiny drop at a time and stir
before adding more. A little bit of color goes a really long
way.
5. Pouring into container #2
Pour the mixed resin from container #1 into container #2,
Scrape the resin off the inside of the cup and the stir stick.
Set container #1 aside and discard. Mix the resin in container
#2 for one minute.
6. Pouring into the Patera™; Finding
When you have completed mixing, you can now pour the resin
into the findings. Use the stir stick to carefully drop the
resin into the cavities. If after 10 minutes if there are
bubbles on the surface, remove them by blowing gently through
a straw. Leave the resin to cure and harden, This time will
vary greatly depending on the room temperature, from 4 to
12 hours. It is advised to leave the resin to cure overnight.
7. Polishing
Car wax or carbanuba wax can be rubbed onto the pieces to
protect your pieces from scratches
Polyester Resin
- A liquid casting resin that requires a catalyst (hardener)
to set. When added, the catalyst produces a chemical reaction,
which generates heat and hardening the resin.
- Cures to 'click-hard' after approximately 1 hour
- Strong styrene fumes
- Viscosity of corn syrup and light amber or light blue
in color. Will go crystal clear after curing.
- Polyester resin shrinks slightly when cured, which
could be a problem as the resin could pop out of the Patera™
Finding.
- Many objects can be embedded into polyester resin.
Such as dried flowers, shells, buttons etc. Never embed
fresh or wet items.
- Paper pieces needs to be coated with white glue before
coating with polyester resin. The glue must be completely
dry and dear before adding the resin.
- The most popular brand and easy to find polyester resin
is Castin' Craft Clear Casting Resin manufactured by Environmental
Technology Inc. www.eti-usa.com
Steps for using a polyester resin
1. One of the disadvantages of polyester resin is the strong,
objectionable styrene odor, making good ventilation a high
priority.
2. It is also important to correctly calculate the amount
of catalyst to resin ratio. Generally, the thinner the casting,
the more catalyst you need to add. For example, to fill
the "deep Patera Findings", pour out 1 ounce of
polyester casting resin in a plastic (unwaxed) cup and add
8 drops catalyst. Mix well for 60 seconds, scraping the
sides and bottom of the mixing container.
3. Pour into the Finding carefully to form dome and allow
hardening.
Inkssentials™ Glossy Accents
- Clear, dimensional gloss medium that air-dries to a
bard transparent finish.
- Can also be used as the glue to adhere the paper to
the bottom of the Patera Finding.
- Like all acrylic finishes, is not waterproof and will
become cloudy with heavy moisture or water,
- It will not retain the domed appearance in the Patera
Findings.
- Best to leave overnight to dry, but can dry to the
touch in about 4 hours in a warm area.
- Bubbles are a problem and may not be seen until completely
dried.
- Comes in a 2 oz. Bottle with fine tip applicator
- Also available in Sepia Accents, for soft-tinted aged
and antique look. Crackle Accents, that dries to a crackled
gloss and Matte Accents for a subtle non-glossy look.
- Go to www.rangerink.com for more tips and a store locator.
3D Crystal Lacquer
- - Comes in a 2 oz. Bottle with fine tip applicator
- Acid Free
- Go to wwwsakuracraft.com for more tips and store locator.
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