The random RESIN question thread!

[rabbitheartedd]

Use drill bits that are the size you want for your project--there isn't going to be an exact size, it all depends on your preferences for your piece.  Use a dremel or a drill press and go. sloooooow.  WEAR A DUST MASK.  Resin is so, so harmful to your lungs, PLEASE protect yourself.  I've never had issues with cracking resin, as long as you don't put too much pressure on the piece too quickly.  Make sure the piece is secured (put it in clamps or something) and take it easy!

[xx_Kellybean]

i have the easy cast resin, and im suuper broke so i dont really have the money to buy molds and more resin related things. could i use the easy cast in ice cube trays?

only if they're silicone ice cube trays. If you use the hard plastic, the resin won't come out of it.

[browndog]

Does anyone have or know where I can find a mold that is round? Not a circle but with a hole in the middle...the websites I've checked don't seem to have any! Also a mold I could use to make bangle bracelets too.

[sweet_aya]

Can anyone tell me a good way to seal paper before pouring resin on it? I tried first applying decoupage glue over the paper, but it still gets wet when i pour the resin, and it ends up looking quite ugly. thanks in advance!

[Diane B.]

The usual sealer is thinned permanent white glue (or decoupage medium), and you might try "PVA" glue which is what it's called for book binding at art stores if those are too "wet."  But be sure to cover both sides (one at a time--may be best to start with the back side-- and let dry) as well as the *edges* of the paper or the resin can get into the paper that way.  Some people even use acrylic mediums or other sealers instead.
If your paper has ink that's not permanent, you can spray lightly first with artists' fixative or a a fast-drying spray like Envirotex Spray Sealer.

You can also dip the sealed paper into resin before embedding it to make sure there are no hidden air spaces, etc.

If that doesn't help, describe more of how you're doing the sealing, how you're using the type of resin you have, and what "quite ugly" actually looks like.

HTH

[sweet_aya]

Thanks a lot! The stuff I was using was probably not thick/strong enough. I'll look around for the sealers you mentioned, i didn't think of most of those

[LJSpady]

I've been doing research on working with resins because I really REALLY wanna try to make These ear plugs:
http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.178713326.jpg

The guy who makes them doesn't want to tell me what he does (or maybe he just never got the message I sent him... yeah right..)

What I think I can do is: get the steel plugs, fill it with polymer clay, bake it. Then place a lacquered picture over the baked clay and then pour resin over it.
What do you guys think? If anyone has any better ideas I would LOVE to hear them! 

[cronopita]

Sweet_aya: try nail polish, maybe not right in the final frame in case it won't work and ruin it, you can use something else as a base -a rounded piece of cold porcelain clay or a coin-. I've done a pendant of a cat on clay, painted it with watercolours, applied nail polish, then resin and the colours didn't mix nor get a 'wet' appearance at all.

[hello color!]

LJ,

The seller doesn't list polymer clay in materials, so there's probably resin on both sides of the image. The easiest way to make the backing from resin it is probably with epoxy clay - but it's not something you can just get at Michael's, so after you factor in the shipping and how much of it you'll have to buy and never use, it would be kinda too expensive to make it worth it unless you're making a lot of these plugs. With liquid resin, you can put the plug on tape, adhesive side up, or on modeling clay to keep resin from running out - and when it's cured, you'll be able to remove the tape/modeling clay and proceed as you described. (Don't forget to seal the picture, though.) However, if you do it that way, the back is going to be a bit cloudy, so if you want it shiny, you'll have to do another thin layer of resin... In short, that's a lot of work unless you're making a lot of them at a time (to sell), so if I was making just a couple, I'd do what you wrote.

[DeSade13]

I am sure this has been discussed and answered, but I am a bit pressed for time and didn't read all 160 pages in this thread haha.

I have been working with resin for some time now, but when working on a gift recently, I had my first 'tacky' resin incident (of course). I have been desperately looking for something that will dissolve the resin (there is something inside that I want to retrieve) but it has been difficult.

I have read that several paint thinners have the capability of doing so, as well as a product called 'Attack.'  I wanted to get some feedback before I attempt anything, so here I am.

Suggestions/comments?