UV resin is typically thought of as an alternative to epoxy resin, but just how different is this resin from other types of casting resin that are available?
If you are looking to try something different from epoxy resin and have been interested in UV resin, then it is really important that you learn more about it before you try to use it.
UV resin is often thought to be the perfect resin for impatient people, and if this describes you, then perhaps UV resin is the way to go. UV resin is typically more expensive than other types of resin, but it does also come with various advantages.
In this article, we are going to tell you everything that you need to know about epoxy resin, including how to use it and the pros and cons of this type of resin. We are also going to provide you with some helpful tips that you should keep in mind when you use it.
The Pros And Cons Of UV Resin
There are lots of things that you should know about using UV resin, both bad and good, and you can find out what you need to know about it below. We are going to look at the advantages and disadvantages of UV resin, so you can know exactly what’s what.
Pros
- You don’t have to worry about mixing resin with hardener
- The resin can be used for a long time as it won’t cure without the help of a UV lamp
- Using a UV lamp to cure your resin can be done in a short amount of time
Cons
- The shelf life of this resin is only 6 months
- You cannot exceed cast layers of 3 to 4 mm. Several layers would need to be cast for safety reasons
- It can be more expensive than other types of resin
- You will need to get a UV lamp specifically for curing. This is because the UV radiation of the sun will not be sufficient enough
How To Use UV Resin
The first thing that you will need to do is cover your workplace surface with something like foil or cardboard, and get all of the materials that you are going to need together.
If you want to use a colored resin, then you should put some of the resin with liquid pain or a pigment powder into a mixing cup. You can mix these two parts together, making sure that you are as thorough as possible.
Once you have done this, you can pour the resin into your silicone mold. If you are planning to work with clear resin, then you will not need to do any mixing to create the perfect color. Instead, you can go ahead and pour the resin directly into the mold.
You should create a layer that is around 3 mm thick in your silicone mold, and you can even add other elements, like glitter or foil flakes to create even more beautiful results.
After this process, you can go ahead and dry the resin under a uv light. You will need a powerful and high quality lamp to do this. In order to test if the resin has cured, you can check the surface gently with a toothpick.
You can then continue to repeat these steps until you have filled up your silicone mold. Once the resin has completely cured, you will be able to remove the casting from the mold.
How Long Does UV Resin Take To Cure?
The length of time that it will take for your UV resin to cure will depend on various different factors and the project that you are working on. A small piece of jewelry shouldn’t take more than a few minutes to dry each layer.
However, for larger and thicker pieces, the curing time is going to take much longer. Other things, like humidity and temperature can also influence the curing time.
How To Seal A Surface Using UV Resin
If you are looking to seal a surface with your UV resin, then you will need to apply very thin layers of the resin. This works quite well for smaller projects, and you can use a fine brush for this purpose. If the layer of resin is too thick, bubbles can form, which cannot be removed later.
How To Choose A UV Lamp
When it comes to choosing the right UV lamp, you will need to consider the size and performance of the lamp. The output will need to be at least 4 watts if you want to complete your projects as quickly and efficiently as possible.
We would recommend that you choose a UV lamp instead of a UV flashlight, and they are much more practical to use, and you don’t have to sit and hold anything throughout the process. UV lamps will also usually have a much higher output than flashlights.
Tips For Using UV Resin
When it comes to working with UV resin, it is essential to be patient. You will need to take your time to pour thin layers of resin and cure each layer. This will help you to avoid the formation of bubbles.
If bubbles do form within the resin, you should be able to remove them by using a hair dryer. You can simply run the hairdryer over the resin with quick movements, but make sure that you do so in a well ventilated room.
The heat vapor can be dangerous, which is why you should also be wearing protective equipment, like gloves, a face mask, and safety glasses.
UV resin is much more sensitive to heat than epoxy resin, and if it gets too hot, you might notice a smell. This is why you shouldn’t use a temperature that is too hot when you are using a hairdryer.
You should also be careful when you are adding various elements to your resin, as the risk of blistering will increase. You should keep all of these things in mind when you are working with UV resin.
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