Are you someone who constantly likes to experiment with resins to create something new and valuable? If yes, and you want to try something different this time, we suggest using another type of resin to design a keychain.
UV resin is another type of resin known for its simplicity, practicality, and versatility. It belongs to the synthetic resins group, and unlike epoxy resin, it does not require a hardener.
UV resin can be processed or mixed without the need for a hardener. It cures entirely within a few minutes with the help of UV light. Thus, this type of resin can be used for a really long time as it does not dry or cure without UV light.
There are a few things for which UV resin is usually considered the best option, such as for smaller projects like jewelry or some other small castings. It can also be applied smoothly for sealing on some specific surfaces.
We have provided you with a full guide that covers the steps to design your resin keychain, the best resin you can buy, and things you should consider while choosing.
Note – If your keychains are still tacky after curing under UV Lamp, put them under sunlight for 20-60 minutes, which will solve that. Also, remember, the darker the color added, the longer the curing time.
We earn a small commission from your purchase at no extra cost to you. It helps keep the site running. Last update on 2024-04-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API/ More Info
We earn a small commission from your purchase at no extra cost to you. It helps keep the site running. Last update on 2024-04-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API/ More Info
Table of Contents
4. YRYM Ultraviolet Curing Resin Kit for Keychains –
When it comes to value-for-money resin, this is supreme. You get not only 200g UV resin but also a mixing silicone cup, bubble eliminating stick, stirring stick spoon, and a beak cover. All this at a very affordable price. Is it really worth it?
I will say Yes, but! While it’s fantastic, it has a couple of flaws, which is pretty obvious to get at such a price(I will tell later). Among all the UV resins I have ever used(tons of them), this is probably the thinnest of them all; it’s almost like water.
While that makes it easier to mix and pour, it also carries the curse of slow curing. It cures slower and remains tacky for longer than most others. Thankfully, we are doing a keychain, so it lasts about 4 minutes under a 36w(minimum) UV Lamp.
Since it’s thin, you can quickly mix mica, colorants, and glitter and make your favorite keychains. It’s made from high-quality non-toxic material, making it safe to use while the self-leveling and self-degassing properties ease the use.
The best thing is it doesn’t have any odor and gets very few bubbles that you can eliminate using the bubble stick included in the package.
Now, let’s talk about the flaws. It is top-heavy and knocks over easily, and it leaks badly even when sitting upright with the lid on.
Pros
- Very affordable and comes with a couple of bonuses.
- It’s very thin, so it’s easier to mix, pour and use
- It dries clear, but you can add mica, colorants, glitter, etc.
- It’s made from high-quality non-toxic materials.
- This resin is self-degassing and self-leveling
Cons
- The heavy top knocks over easily
- The bottle leaks badly even when sitting upright with the lid on
- 💧【STARTER TOOL KIT】: Except uv resin 200g(7oz), we also offer a starter tool Kit for you: mixing...
- 💧【NON-TOXIC UV RESIN】: Made of non-toxic materials. Crystal UV resin with self-leveling and...
- 💧【SAVE YOUR TIME】: No need to spend long time to measure, mix the ratio and take long curing time like...
We earn a small commission from your purchase at no extra cost to you. It helps keep the site running. Last update on 2024-04-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API/ More Info
3. DecorRom Crystal Clear Ultraviolet Curing Resin for Keychains –
When it comes to keychains, this UV resin steals the show. It’s self-leveling, has a great consistency, is clear, and cures very fast. You don’t have to wait minutes but seconds to get it to cure. Simply place it under a UV light for 60 seconds, and it’s done.
The odor is a bit of a problem as it increases while curing under the lamp, but thankfully it’s bearable and dissipates quickly after curing. It’s made from high-quality non-toxic materials, so it’s quite safe to work with.
I like the consistency, neither too thick nor too runny. It cures clear and quite hard, but you can add mica powder, alcohol ink, and glitter to add some color. But remember to mix slowly and torch the surface to release the air trapped under those mediums.
I used it for acrylic keychains, and it worked great. It cures quickly to a scratch-resistant, stain-resistant, and yellow-resistant surface. If you want to be on the safe side, lamp it for 180 seconds.
You can also do a sample curing test to see how fast it cures. Like every UV resin, it’s also self-leveling and self-degassing, which is nice. The best thing is, you can get the 200g bottle by just spending a couple more bucks.
Pros
- It cures super fast, like in under a minute.
- The remarkable consistency is easy to mix and manipulate
- Made from non-toxic and high-quality material
- It cures clear, but you can add mica, alcohol ink, and glitter.
- It cures to scratch-resistant, stain-resistant, and yellow-resistant surfaces.
- It’s self-degassing, self-leveling, and very affordable.
Cons
- The not-so-good odor
- Some users complained that it turns yellow while curing
- EASY TO USE - Different from AB resin which needs to mix and takes long curing time, our art resin is ready to...
- PREMIUM - Ultraviolet resin cures crystal clear, glassy finish that provides excellent scratch resistant,...
- WIDELY USED - The clear UV glue can be used for casting and coating applications, such as crafts decorations,...
We earn a small commission from your purchase at no extra cost to you. It helps keep the site running. Last update on 2024-04-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API/ More Info
2. Limino Ultraviolet Curing Epoxy Resin For Keychains –
This is the best UV resin for Jewelry making; sure enough, it’s among the best for keychains too. It’s crystal clear, gets very few bubbles, is yellow-resistant, and has a nice consistency that is easily spread over the keychain. Best part? It’s very affordable.
The resin does give off a slight, very mild smell while you work with it, but once cured, no smell. Just sit by an open window, and it’s fine. It is made from high-quality non-toxic materials that are safe to work with.
It gets very few bubbles. You just have to wait for the resin to self-level and have the air bubbles float to the top, then simply take a torch over the top of it, and they’ll disappear. This thing cures crystal clear, but you can add mica and glitter to add some color.
3-4 minutes under a UV Lamp(minimum 36 w), and it’s clear and hard. If not, put it under sunlight for 20 minutes, and it will cure an anti-scratch, anti-stain, and yellowing-resistant surface.
It’s fantastic except for one thing that I learned the hard way. The chemical reaction of the cure is exothermic, and it gets very hot, so better not to touch it for a minute or two.
Pros
- It cures crystal clear and glossy with no bubbles
- Made from high-quality non-toxic material
- Cures clear in just 3-4 minutes
- It cures to an anti-scratch, anti-stain, and yellowing-resistant surface
- Easy to pour and mixes well with mica powder and glitter
Cons
- It sometimes shrinks
- CONVENIENT & EFFICIENT - Do not need to measure, mix the ratio or take long curing time like AB resin. Our UV...
- PREMIUM - Crystal Clear UV resin with self-leveling and self-degassing properties can cure smooth crystal...
- SAFE - Our hard type craft resin is imported from Japan and made from high-quality and non-toxic materials....
We earn a small commission from your purchase at no extra cost to you. It helps keep the site running. Last update on 2024-04-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API/ More Info
1. Miraclekoo Crystal Clear UV Resin For Keychains –
After testing tons of UV resin, this one is my go-to and recommendation for keychains. It’s clear, gets minimal bubbles, has a low odor, is clear, and cures with a nice glassy finish. I have made tons of acrylic keychains, glitter keychains, and keychain baubles, and it’s just amazing.
It does have a low-medium odor that entirely dissipates after curing, so not a big deal. The minimal bubbles that appear when pouring are easy to get rid of with a heat gun. Even though it’s self-degassing, you must try to get minimal bubbles by mixing and running slowly.
I have added alcohol inks, mica powder, and glitter, and it works like a charm. Since it’s made from high-quality non-toxic material, you can work with it without a problem. One thing that impressed me was the option of curing time.
If you use your 36w UV lamp, you need 4-5 minutes of lamp and 20 minutes under the sun, but with a UV light, a.k.a. Blacklight flashlight, it cures in under a minute. Both are great and will cure an anti-scratch, anti-stain, and yellow-resistant surface.
This resin works flawlessly with a low odor. I did a small drop test, and it didn’t even scratch, so I can say it’s durable. The best thing is, it’s available in seven size options.
Pros
- It cures with a nice glassy finish in under 60 seconds
- It gets minimal bubbles and has a low odor
- It’s clear, but you can add alcohol inks, mica powder, and glitter
- Cures to an anti-scratch, anti-stain, and yellow-resistant surface
- It’s durable and is available in seven size options
- Made from non-toxic and high-quality material
- It’s self-degassing, self-leveling, and very affordable.
Cons
- Nothing
- EASY TO USE & EFFICIENT:No mixing like AB resin which needs to mix and take long curing time , uv resin...
- ULTRA CRYSTAL CLEAR & RESIST YELLOWING:After thousands of formulation adjustments, our UV resin premium...
- HARD AS ROCK & GOOD STABILITY: After various studies and comparisons and adjustments,our UV resin premium...
We earn a small commission from your purchase at no extra cost to you. It helps keep the site running. Last update on 2024-04-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API/ More Info
Steps To Design Your UV Resin Keychain –
Before we begin, let us tell you about everything you would probably require to design your keychain using UV resin. It is good to buy a UV resin kit that includes –premium quality resin, UV lamp, resin molds, and paintings.
You would also require casting molds made of silicone in the desired shape and size for the keychain, liquid ink or color pigments, glitter or mica powders, and lastly, essential utensils for working.
1. The first step you need to follow is to prepare your workspace. Basically, keep all the essential utensils such as cups and spoons within reach and ready to use. Plus, cover the surface with a plastic sheet or cardboard because it is difficult to remove the resin from the surface if it sticks.
2. If you want to make a keychain using colored resin, you need to mix some resin with liquid paint to pigment the powder of your choice. Put the two things together in a cup and stir them carefully to get the colorful resin.
3. After this, you can simply pour the resin into the desired silicone mold. But if you are interested in working with crystal clear resin, then adding color is not required, and the resin should be poured into the mold of your choice directly.
4. Also, remember that you need to pour a layer of precisely 3 mm thin into the silicone mold. Next, to create a more beautiful effect in your keychain, you can add elements such as mica flakes, dried flowers, shells, stones, glitter particles, or pigments.
5. Incorporating these things will give your keychain a pleasant look. Typically, these are positioned directly or on the resin layers. You can add whatever you want into the mixture during this step because once the resin is dried, no changes can be made to the keychain.
6. This is the most crucial step that involves curing, and you need to be extremely careful while working over here. You need to cure your resin with a UV lamp or light. Simply hold the light close to the UV resin mold you wish to cure.
7. Usually, it depends on how long it will take to cure the product. However, it is typically quite easy. To check if the layer is cured or not, you can use a toothpick. Just put it inside the mold, and you will see the effect.
8. The last step is definitely to take the resin out of the silicone mold. But be careful not to burn your fingers- the chemical reaction from the material at times creates heat, and the casting may get hot.
9. Now, after getting your mold, you need to make a hole and put the keychain into it to get your UV resin keychain. However, be careful while making a hole to avoid spoiling your whole resin and wasting all your effort and time.
Things To Consider –
When you plan to buy UV resin for your keychain, certain things should be kept in mind while choosing.
1. Safety –
The safety of the UV resin is critical to consider while making a purchase—whether you are using it to make a keychain or for any other purpose. UV resin is sensitive to heat and gets very hot quickly.
Therefore, it is essential to wear gloves while making anything with the help of UV resin. Also, the UV resin you are buying should be nontoxic and nonradioactive and should not contain any harmful substance that can cause any allergies or lead to any ill effects.
Basically, the quality of the resin should be good as that would guarantee its safety. Besides, check the product’s expiry date and make sure it is new.
If it is old or expired, you won’t be able to make anything from it. Your money will be wasted, and so will your time and effort.
2. UV lamp –
The following essential thing you need to consider is a UV lamp as it’s required to cure the UV resin. With the UV resin kit, you can get a UV lamp. Simply make sure that you use a lamp for curing instead of a torch, as the former is more effective.
A flashlight does not have enough power to cure your resin mold quickly, and therefore you need to hold it for a long time, which might be stressful.
A UV lamp of good quality will ensure that your resin mold is dried within minutes, and you will be able to use it instantly. Lastly, look for a lamp that offers at least 4-watt energy.
3. Usage –
Before buying UV resin, you need to have a clear idea about how you will use it to make a keychain of your choice. Plan out a rough design of your keychain and buy materials according to it.
Some resin kits come with mold, while others make their molds. When you know what kind of keychain you want, you know how much resin you require and how to use it.
This will ensure the right purchase and right use of the product. Plus, some online videos and sites are available that help you design your own keychain using UV resin.
You can check them if you get stuck anywhere. Lastly, to purchase the suitable resin for your task, you can go through online reviews and feedback to get the desired information.
4. Low Viscosity –
The low viscosity of a resin means that the liquid is thin and flows very easily. UV resins usually are thin and can be used without much trouble. Basically, all UV resins have low viscosity.
So this is something you should see in the resin you are buying. Also, you need to pour thin layers of UV resin of up to 3 mm inside the casting mold you have chosen for the keychain.
Some Tips To Follow While Choosing A UV lamp –
Both UV flashlights and UV lamps have certain advantages and disadvantages, knowing which will help you make the right choice. However, in all cases, you should basically give importance to the light output of the lamp and the size, especially if you are going to use it often.
At times, when you buy a UV resin set, you can also buy an excellent UV lamp along with it. Then you can simply place or hold the resin mold under that lamp. You do not have to hold a torch.
Plus, a UV flashlight or torch pretty much produces lower light, and there is a chance of getting exposed to vapors. So, basically, a UV lamp is a good choice when working with UV resin to design keychains and other things.
For curing with the help of a UV lamp, you need to hold your mold under the lamp for the time mentioned in the manufacturer’s instructions on the product. It basically takes about 2 to 3 minutes to cure in smaller projects.
In contrast, it can take 4 to 6 minutes if the project is big. Besides, the exact duration is also determined with the help of factors such as humidity or room temperature at your workplace.
Additional Tips To Follow While Working With UV Resin –
1. When you are working with UV resin, you need to be patient to get desired and successful results. If you are impatient, the results can be quite unsatisfactory.
Take your time and pour thin resin layers without forming any air bubbles. However, if still bubbles form, then remove them with the help of a hot air dryer.
2. Further, use a hairdryer that can be moved from one place to another. Run the dryer in quick movements above the resin, and don’t stay in one place for more than a second or two.
It is because the heat can cause vapors to form. Plus, you need to carry this activity in a well-ventilated room and wear gloves, masks, and glasses.
3. UV resin is quite sensitive to heat compared to other types of resins. If it gets too warm or hot, an acrid odor will arise. Therefore, keep the temperature of the dryer as low as possible.
4. Lastly, focus on the objects you have placed inside the UV resin. After all, depending on the substances, they can give rise to air bubbles in the resin mold. Thus, keep the elements as flat as possible and press them gently.
FAQs –
Can You Use UV Resin For Sealing?
Yes, you can use UV resin to seal the surfaces of small areas such as paper or stretcher frames. Preferably, try to apply the first layer as thin as you can.
A soft and fine brush will do the task. If the layer is too thick, bubbles can be formed, which can’t be removed after the work is done.
Can You Mix The UV Resin With Acrylic Paint?
You can use acrylic paint with the UV resin with a 1 to 10 ratio rule- mix one part of acrylic paint with ten parts of the UV resin.
But if you use too much paint, then the resin could become too thick and won’t get poured. Also, mix the paint and resin well with a spoon to get an even color for use.
What Are Some Of The Advantages Of Using UV Resin?
UV resin is considered best for small projects as it has a high curing speed. Plus, it has no pot life or processing time and can be used for longer than other resins because they only get cured after using UV light.
It usually does not give rise to bubbles and is quite simple and straightforward to use. Generally, it is best suited for making small jewelry or ornaments and can be used as glue.
Conclusion
UV resin has become widely popular in creating and designing different objects or things. It cures quite simply and does not require a hardener. Typically it can be used to cast only thin layers and can be cured with the help of UV light.
It is a good choice for those working with resin for the first time and who don’t want to take on a big project as it is quite simple to use and perfect for creating small things. We have listed for you some of the best UV resin available through which you can craft your own stylish keychain.
The steps to make your keychain have also been listed for your ease. So don’t wait anymore and buy the UV resin of your choice and showcase your creativity and talent in different ways.