Are you confused about which type of epoxy resin will give you the best results? We are here to help you out. Epoxy resin is a chemical substance that is mixed with a hardener and then used for various purposes.
There are many types of epoxy resins, and depending upon that, they can be used for many purposes. Some typical epoxy resin applications are- making metal coatings, LED lights, electronic devices, insulators, paintbrushes, plastic or synthetic materials, and adhesives.
They are also used for crafting purposes such as making jewelry, river table tops, souvenirs, etc. Epoxy resins used for thick pours are different from “tabletop epoxy resins.” The thick pour epoxy resin is also known as “casting resin.”
Both are popular when it comes to their uses. These are quite similar in their formula, yet they have many differences. They have a unique process of working.
We need to know what structures are required for our task and choose the right one accordingly. Otherwise, we may end up ruining it.
Thick pour epoxy resins are mainly used for making showpieces, etc., where more product is used. If you try using tabletop epoxy resin for this, you will need many pours or coatings.
Table of Contents
Epoxy Resins For Thick Pours –
As mentioned earlier, casting resins are resins used for thick pours. They are used for casting various things like flowers, coins, glitter, insects, letters, or even photographs.
These are used for pours that require several inches of thickness in one pour. River tables are an excellent example of this. Casting resins have low viscosity. The rate of curation is slow.
So, you can take your time to make any changes to your pours. You should remember that casting resins take a few days to cure. So, if you want a quick setting pour, it may not be the best.
Some dust particles can also settle into the pour due to the time required for setting. The good part about it is that you get more time to work on your project.
While making intricate showpieces or jewelry, you need more time to work on the details. Otherwise, it can be quite frustrating. Thick pours are a great option in such cases.
You need to read the instructions on the packaging clearly before you start mixing the ingredients. Measure the products well. Use a weighing scale to get the exact quantity.
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4. Incredible Solutions Pourable Plastic Deep Pour Up To 2″ –
This 3/4 Gallon Kit is a good option if you are just starting with epoxy resin. It cures crystal clear, doesn’t smell, has thin viscosity, and allows a 2” thick pour. What else do you need? It’s very thin and flows like water, so it’s easy to mix and use.
Also, it levels itself pretty well, given that the table is leveled correctly. Believe me, any tilt in the table will result in unevenness in the thickness. This thing cures crystal clear, but you can use Mica Powder to add colors.
When putting in Mica, it settles a bit, so stir it continuously to mix correctly. It comes with a lovely clear swirl pattern or bubbles that wouldn’t have appeared if stirred gently. Since it cures very slowly, allowing a deeper pour without extreme heat or cracks.
Also, you get plenty of time to make your designs. You get two bottles, a 1/2 Gallon Resin, and a Quartz of Hardener that should be mixed in a 2:1 ratio. I suggest you read the instructions before using them to get the best results.
It has added UV inhibitors that resist yellowing due to the sun; however, you shouldn’t keep it out permanently. Depending on the temperature, it has a slow curing time of 36-48 hours.
The only complaint I have is that it’s so smooth. Any dust landing on this epoxy can be visible in the finished product, so you must be very careful. Alternatively, you can try FGCI’s 3/4 Gallon Epoxy, which I think is a much better option.
Pros
- You can pour 2″ epoxy at a time.
- You have plenty of working time to make your design
- Crystal clear, doesn’t smell, and prevents sun yellowing
- It allows a deeper pour without extreme heat or cracks
- It’s very thin, so it’s easy to mix and use and levels itself
- It can be mixed with Mica powder and other pigments
Cons
- If the table isn’t leveled properly, it’ll result in uneven thickness
- You have to keep it away from any dust, or it can be visible in the final product
- Deep Pouring Depth: With an impressive pouring depth of up to 4", this epoxy resin allows you to securely...
- Extended Working Time: A resin kit for beginners and experts, Promise Deep Pour Epoxy Resin a clear epoxy...
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3. Upstart Epoxy 2″ Deep Pour Epoxy Resin Kit –
This epoxy from Upstart is suitable for a deep pour. It lets you pour up to 2” thick at a time, meaning you can make fantastic river tables and live edge with this. And since it has six hours of working time, you have plenty of time to make swirls and other designs.
Like other epoxies, it has thinner viscosity, making it easy to mix and flow in complex pieces. You need to mix the Epoxy and Hardener in a 2:1 ratio. I suggest you read the instructions carefully to ensure you do it right, or you might ruin it.
Also, make sure there are no cracks or holes in the wood(or the surface), or else it’ll leak out. I am impressed that rarely any bubbles appeared, and the ones that did quickly vanished with a heat gun. Given the time, all bubbles will rise and pop themselves as it cures slowly.
But to be on the safe side, I recommend using a torch or heat gun. Since it’s thin, it levels itself given the table is leveled properly. Any change in level may cause uneven thickness that, of course, you never want. So, be careful.
It takes around 72 hours to fully cure into a clear, durable, scratch, and water-resistant surface. You can also use Mica powder, alcohol ink, or liquid pigments to add some colors. I’ll say it’s a decent option at a reasonable price.
Pros
- A decent epoxy for a reasonable price
- The six hours of working time gives you enough time to make designs
- The thinner viscosity makes it easy to mix and flow
- Rarely do any bubbles appear that easily vanish with a heat gun or torch
- It cures clear, but you can use pigments to add colors
Cons
- Cures time of 72 hours
- The quality is decent but not great
- 2" Deep Pour: Pour up to 2” thick at any given time because our deep pour epoxy has a very low chemical heat...
- Resists Scratches, Stains & Yellowing: Our high-grade prepolymer additives ensures long lasting and durable...
- Easy 2:1 Mixing Ratio: Self-leveling resin epoxy system is easy to pour! Easy to tint with resin dye, mica...
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2. Naked Fusion Epoxy Resin Deep Pour Formula –
This is an excellent alternative to FGCI’s epoxy(#1). It has not only similar features but also a similar price. However, I prefer FGCI any day; it’s just better and more reliable. Plus, they have been in this field for decades, while Naked Fusion is new(2018 registered).
When I looked at the features, consistency, and even the size, it seemed like a copy, but a good one. Here, you can pour a minimum of 1/2” to up to 2” depth at a time without a problem. It’s a bit thicker, but it mixes well and self-levels pretty well.
This epoxy is naked, meaning it has zero VOCs and is fully non-toxic, so you can breathe easily. Naked Fusion says, “no respirator required,” however, I’ll always recommend wearing one no matter what. It cures crystal clear if no color is added.
I tried making a River Table, and it came out really well. From experience, I realize it looks fantastic with metallic Mica Pigments and translucent resin dyes. It cures very slowly, giving you a long working time.
When poured, some bubbles appeared but vanished quickly with a heat gun. You can also use a torch for this purpose. It requires a small amount of torching and the resin degasses on its own.
The added UV inhibitors resist yellowing due to the sun, which works fine. And since it’s FDA compliant, you can keep food nearby. Surprisingly, it has the same 72 hours of curing time as FGCI.
Pros
- You can pour 1/2″-2″ at a time
- It’s non-VOC, non-toxic, and FDA compliant
- Cures are clear, but colors can be added
- Very fewer bubbles quickly vanish by using a torch or heat gun
- UV inhibitors resist yellowing due to sun
Cons
- Seem like a copy of FGCI’s epoxy
- 72-hour curing time
- 💎 DEEP POUR EPOXY RESIN 2 Inch Thick is specially formulated for River Tables, Live Edge Tables, Deep...
- 💎 SUPERIOR QUALITY CRYSTAL CLEAR RESIN WITH EXCELLENT UV RESISTANCE! High Performance professional grade...
- 💎 NON-TOXIC- IT'S NAKED– ZERO VOCS and Odor Free for better air quality while you work- breathe easy...
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1. FGCI Deep Pour Epoxy Resin Kit 2-4 inch –
Your search ends here; this is hands down the best epoxy resin for deep pours. With this, you can pour 2-4 inches and get a bubble-less, odor-free, FDA-compliant crystal clear finish. I made River Tables and Live Edge with this, which turned out amazing.
It cures crystal clear with no yellow tint such that it’s sometimes mistaken for glass. However, you can add colors by using mica powder, liquid pigments, and alcohol inks and dyes. It mixes and holds the colors well. Just make sure you read the instructions properly.
I recently saw some people complaining about shrinkage, which happens when you don’t mix it well, so read the instructions properly. Believe me; it’s the key. The thin viscosity here is amazing as it reduces bubbles and fills in tiny spaces in complex pieces.
Since it’s thin, it finds every way to leak out, so make sure there aren’t any cracks or edge leaks. The best thing is that it doesn’t smell horrible like resin, which is excellent. It has a specific high-grade UV additive formulation that slows down the yellowing process and keeps it clean for a long.
This thing has no VOC and is FDA compliant, so it’s safe to keep food around. You get three Gallons, two resins, and a hardener that requires a 2:1 mix. FGCI recommends two parts of Resin and 1 part curing agent by weight, but in my experience, 2:1 by volume works better.
Once poured, it’ll take around 72 hours to cure fully, so be patient and leave it alone for a couple of days. Once cured, you can go ahead and sand it without a problem. If you are just starting, you can check their 3/4 Gallon option.
Pros
- Perfect for thick pours like River Tables, Live Edges, Wood Fillers, etc.
- You can pour 2-4 inches depending on the temperature
- It doesn’t smell anything and can be sanded once cured
- Cures crystal clear, but you can add Mica powder and stuff to add colors
- The UV additives included resists yellowing
- No VOC and FDA compliant
Cons
- The cure time is 72 hours
- TRUE DEEP POUR: Experience the ease of 2-4 inch pours with our advanced Liquid Glass Deep Pour Epoxy. Perfect...
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Things To Know Before Beginning The Project –
Ensure that the things you will use don’t have any chemical reactions with epoxy resins. You can google about it and find out what are the things you can add safely.
Also, keep in mind that the molds you use are made of silicon, or the material you pour the resin on is strong enough. This is because the resin starts to heat up once it is mixed with the hardener and the setting begins.
Silicon has a high heat tolerance, and so it is mainly used to make different types of molds. Also, remember to wear gloves, safety goggles, an apron or a coat, and shoes. These will protect you from the harmful effects of epoxy resins.
Another important thing is that resin fumes are created while it sets. So it is essential to keep it in a ventilated room. The fumes have a distinct smell. You can wear a respirator to avoid any side effects from this.
Although it is not dangerous, it is always better to take safety measures. You can keep the doors and windows open to reduce the smell. You can also have the ceiling fan on during the process.
Epoxy Resins For DIY Art And Craft –
While making any art and craft projects with epoxy resins, you should remember some essential things about the process. Once you decide exactly what you will make, how to decorate it, and the materials needed, you can start thinking about how to carry it out and how to set the resin.
You can make a variety of things using thick pour epoxy resins. It is mainly used for making craft items that are aesthetically pleasing, such as jewelry, ashtrays, coasters, showpieces, canvas paintings, abstract designs, and geodes.
Geodes are popular nowadays and can be seen in many places with posh interiors. The good thing is that you can add many things to these craft items while making them. You can add colors, beads, pearls, real or artificial flowers, leaves, insects, feathers, twigs, buttons, etc.
Procedure For Making Floral Coasters Using Epoxy Resins –
1. Wear all your protective gear, such as gloves, goggles, and a coat. Decide how much resin and hardeners are required. Mostly 60 ml resin is enough to make four coasters.
2. Prepare all the ingredients. Keep the silicone molds, flowers, leaves, and other materials cast on your work table. Use ice cream sticks for mixing the resin.
3. Now, mix your resin and hardener and make the solution of the required consistency. You will have to keep it thick for making coasters.
4. Now, pour the mixture into the coaster molds.
5. Once you pour the mixture, add the flowers and leaves you want to cast. Try to use flowers with vibrant colors. You can also add a bit of glitter and tiny pearls to make it look even better.
6. Use a lighter to remove any bubbles that formed while adding the flowers and keep the molds setting for about 24 to 48 hours.
7. Once these coasters are set, remove them from the molds. Turn them over and place them in the molds again.
8. Now, add another layer of resin solution on this side. This will ensure that the coasters are thick enough from both sides.
9. Again, remove any bubbles using a lighter and keep them set for another 24 to 48 hours.
10. Check if the resin is set correctly. It should be hard from both sides.
11. Now, remove the resin from the molds. Your coasters are ready, and your favorite flower specimens are preserved in them. You can use them as decoration, add them to your collection or use them for biological studies.
Benefits Of Epoxy Resins –
Epoxy resins are widely used for manufacturing purposes because they have a clear, crystalline surface. When mixed with colors, epoxy resin molds can look like gemstones. Also, it comes in different types.
You can buy it both online and offline. It comes as a set of epoxy resin and a hardener. You can even buy it without the hardener. Compared to other formulas, this dries quickly. You have to set it for 24 hours.
The process of forming the resin is called ‘curing.’ The texture is also good. It does not have many bubbles. You can even add colors, glitter, or other objects into the epoxy resin while setting it.
Types Of Resins –
Resins are viscous substances that are made synthetically and also artificially. Natural resins are obtained from plants. Some popular types of resins are-
1. Polyester Resins- These are flexible and have a high heat tolerance. They are not expensive. They are used in construction, lamination, fishing rods, coatings, decorations, bottles, etc.
2. Acrylic Resins– They are made from acrylic acids. They have high tensile strength. They are UV resistant. They are used to make glues, coatings, signs, tiles, and decorative items.
3. Alkyl Resins– These are made using polyhydric alcohols and polybasic acids. They have high resistance to heat and are good conductors of electricity. Hence, they are used for insulation, producing electronic devices, and paints.
4. Polycarbonate Resins– These are very refractive. They are used to make helmets, photography films, lenses, etc.
5. Silicone Resins– These have good thermal stability and are water-proof. Hence they are used to make rubber, laminations, paints, coatings, and other water-resistant items.
Who Should Buy It?
If you want to start your own business giving coatings, or jewelry making, you should consider buying this product. You will need epoxy resin, hardener, decorations, a few tools, and molds.
Once your business starts growing, you can buy more products. You can even sell your decorations in various shops and even online. You can also begin teaching art and craft classes for people of all age groups.
Children, as well as adults, can take up this hobby. Also, if you are a creative person, you should buy epoxy resin. You will have fun making different types of artifacts with epoxy resin. You can gift your friends the items you make.
You will find many DIY ideas in YouTube videos. You will be able to see exactly how to use the products by watching the videos. Do your research well before starting the work.
Things To Consider –
1. Amount Of Product Required –
While buying epoxy resin, make sure you buy it only as much as you need it. Purchasing the extra product will go to waste, and your money will be of no use. The quantity of the product will be written on the container.
Check it well before buying the product. Remember that it is already activated once you add the resin to the hardening agent. It will start curing, and you will have to use it up quickly.
You cannot keep it for later use. So, if you mix more products than needed, they will eventually get wasted. Make up your mind well before using the products.
Calculate how much product will be made, how much you will need, the task at hand, how big or thick the object will be formed, etc.
2. Precautions –
Safety plays a crucial role when using epoxy resin. Whether you are using it to make jewelry or for any other purpose, you need to take care. Epoxy resin heats up once you make the mixture.
The chemical reaction between the resin and the hardening agent produces heat. So, you should always wear gloves while making anything with epoxy resin.
Gloves will also protect you from any other chemical or allergic reactions due to the products. Take all the precautions needed. You will not want your work to get damaged.
Keep an eye on the object while it is getting set. You should keep it away from any disturbances. It would help to protect it from heat, light, and dust.
If you have any pets or children at home, you should be even more careful. Keep the object in a separate room or at a height where the kids can’t reach it.
3. Selecting The Resin –
One of the most important things to consider before buying epoxy resin is the quality of the product. It will help if you read the product reviews before buying it. Go for a well-known brand so that you don’t have to worry too much about it.
Another important thing is the expiry date of the product. Make sure that the product is new. If it is old or expired, you will not be able to use it. This is especially true in this case.
If the formula is old, it will not mix well. It will either be too watery or too thick. Once you put it for curing, it may not set well. It can get very hot, which can be quite dangerous.
The product will have cracks in between. So, it might break easily. Or it will not get cured at all and remain in a semi-liquid state.
FAQs –
Which Is The Best Resin For Thick Pours?
Epoxy resin is the best resin type for thick pours because it will give you the perfect texture. Specifically, you need to use casting epoxy resin. It will be thicker, and thus only one or two pours will be enough.
It will not get too hot. So, there will be no problems while curing it. It is also clear, plain, and beautiful. It is easy to use and does not change its structure once you make any items with it.
What Is Epoxy Resin?
Epoxy resin is a chemical substance used to make a variety of things. You need to add it to an appropriate reactant such as acids, amines, etc.
Once you do this, the epoxy resin will harden and become crystal-like. It is made using both natural and artificial ingredients.
What Is Epoxy Resin Used For?
Epoxy resin is used for many purposes. It is mainly used to make adhesives or glues, paints, decorations, coating, or jewelry. When used as a coating, it provides a glossy finish to any product.
Conclusion –
In conclusion, epoxy resins for thick pours are called casting resins. They are pretty thick and will give a thickness of about two inches at a time. They are a helpful formula in the manufacturing industry. They are used to make a variety of products. They cost less and are easy to use.