How to add color to Epoxy Resin?

So you are using epoxy resin for your DIY project and want to spice up your DIY projects with some splash of colors?

Well, you have landed at just the right place. Read this article to learn how to add color to epoxy resin and make your epoxy resin unique and attractive.

Epoxy is crystal clear, smooth, and glass-like resin widely used in jewelry making(is resin jewelry safe?), wood, tumbler, or countertops for its finished look.

Adding color to your epoxy resin is an excellent and efficient way to ornate your projects. The wide range of options available to pigment your work is an additional advantage to coloring epoxy resin.

But before jumping into the process of coloring your resin, let us take a look at why one should add color to epoxy resin.

Why should you add color to epoxy resin –

So you chose the sturdy, thin filmed epoxy resin for your project that will surely last longer than any other substitutes but are worried it may lose its sheen over time.

Well, now you know the solution to why you should stick with your decision. But will adding pigments magically solve all the problems? Go through these points to find out if it really does!

1. It helps to hide the yellow tinge that may appear with time. It is usually caused due to exposure to UV lights that speed up the process of degrading polymers.

2. It adds to the life of the accessories or products as the thin layer of the firmly held resin forms a protective layer over it.

3. It adds to the visual appeal of the accessories or objects over which epoxy resin is used.

Now that you know the beautiful benefits of coloring your epoxy before using it. Let’s discuss how we can color the crystal-clear palettes of epoxy resins.

What do you need to color epoxy resin –

Now that we are jumping into the process of coloring the epoxy resin, let us look at what we need.

1. Epoxy resin color dyes – prefer powder dyes as they do not dissolve completely, resulting in a pretty optical illusion. You can also use liquid dyes.

2. Epoxy resin

3. Hardener

4. Measuring cup

5. Use a Toothpick or small stick to stir and mix the resin

6. Weeding tool – to burst any bubbles that may have formed.

7. Safety goggles and gloves

Steps to be followed to add color to epoxy resin –

Before you start adding color to epoxy resin, ensure you keep all the necessary supplies ready, as you have limited time once the mixing starts because epoxy resin and hardener agents react vigorously with each other.

Based on the coloring agent you use, the processes differ. Follow these steps to use liquid resin dye –

1. Add equal parts of epoxy resin and hardener to the measuring cup(check how to measure with a measuring cup) and stir thoroughly. You can use a toothpick or a stick according to the amount of epoxy resin you are working with.

2. Notice that bubbles will start forming on the solution’s surface as you keep stirring the solution.

3. Keep stirring the solution until it forms a cloudy consistency.

4. Once you reach the consistency, immediately add the liquid dye to the solution. This is done because the hardener reacts quickly with the epoxy to harden, which makes it difficult to mix the dye.

5. Once you pour the dye into the solution, do not stop stirring until you get an opaque consistency. Make sure you mix the dye thoroughly, leaving no solid particles.

6. Once the dye is thoroughly mixed with the liquid solution, pour it carefully into the desired location.

7. The next step is to burst any air bubbles that may be formed while pouring the resin. Carefully pop the bubbles using a sharp edge-like weeding tool and make the surface smooth. This is done to give a cleaner, finished looking to the resin.

8. Wait for the epoxy resin to completely dry until you add the next layer, or wipe it clean with an alcohol strip.

Follow these steps to use powder resin dye –

1. Add a 1:1 proportion of hardener and epoxy resin and stir thoroughly. Equal parts of the components are used to avoid lumpy or runny consistency.

2. Once the resin and hardener are completely integrated and achieve the cloudy consistency, you may notice bubbles starting to form in the solution.

3. Once you reach that consistency, immediately add the powder dye to the solution.

4. While adding the powder dye into the solution, ensure you wear safety goggles to prevent any particles that may get away.

5. The trick here is to stir the solution slowly but consistently until you eliminate the powdery consistency.

6. You can determine if the solution has been entirely integrated by inspecting for any lumps around the container.

7. Now you know how to effortlessly add colors to the mundane clear epoxy resins and make them colorful.

Tips to add color to epoxy resin –

1. Read the manual – Keep in mind that all dying agents will not react similarly to epoxy resins. Make sure to find the composition for the perfect result by learning the correct measurement of components to be mixed.

2. No lumps – while stirring the epoxy solution after adding the dying agent, make sure there are no lumps formed on the edge of the container; stir thoroughly to get a smooth solution

3. Pop the bubbles – burst any bubbles that may form using a toothpick or weeding tool. This is done to ensure a flat and finished surface.

4. Do not use water/oil-based paints – while you choose your dying agent, avoid water-based or oil-based coloring agents as they react with epoxy and result in undesired color and consistency.

5. Be quick – do not take too much time to add the dye to the mix after mixing the resin and hardener, as it increases the chances of forming lumps.

FAQs –

How many colors should you add to the epoxy resin?

The amount of color required for epoxy resin is ultimately the user’s autonomy. You can experiment with the amount of color to produce new shade varieties.

Keep adding the pigment to the epoxy resin until you achieve the color you wish for your epoxy resin. However, ensure that you keep stirring the epoxy resin solution as you keep adding to the solution.

What is a better pigment – liquid or powder?

Powder pigment is a better option than liquid pigment as it does not completely integrate with the epoxy and hardener. Since the pigment is not completely dissolved into the solution, the undissolved particles stay suspended in the solution.

This results in a beautiful optical illusion. If the consistency is not accurate, liquid pigments can also disturb the epoxy resin’s consistency.

What should you not use to color the epoxy resin?

Avoid using water-based or oil-based paint as they disturb the consistency of the solution and create undesired colors.

Also, avoid using nail polish, latex paints, and watercolors to add color to epoxy resin, as they also produce similar undesired textures in the epoxy resin.

Conclusion –

Epoxy resin is one of the most reliable and efficient resins available now. This article helps you give step by step guide to adding color to your resin.

Follow the steps to get a clean solution of colored epoxy for your next DIY project! Share your thoughts and tips on how to add colors to epoxy resin.