Best Epoxy Resin – Epoxy Resin Projects and Recommendations

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Different resin projects require different types of resin. There are many different types of resin for crafts and DIY projects available. This means that finding the best epoxy resin for your project can be a challenge. Follow our guide below on the best epoxy resins to help you find the right solution for your needs.

What to Know When Buying Resin

As epoxy resin increases in popularity, more and more types of products are becoming available. This includes cheap resin options that may seem appealing at first, but will probably not hold up the way you want them to. When choosing the best epoxy resin, we recommend choosing well-known manufacturers. With resin, you get what you pay for. More expensive products will offer you a better, longer-lasting end result.

Different Types of Epoxy Resin

Resin is not all made equal. There are two basic types of epoxy resin available. These are casting resins and laminate resins. Both have unique differences in their properties which makes them suitable for certain uses. Understanding this is important when finding the most suitable product for your application.

Casting Resin

• This resin has a thinner consistency
• The mixing ratios of casting resin may differ
• The curing time is reduced
• Casting resin can be poured to a thicker maximum depth
• The processing time of the resin is longer

 Laminating Resin

• The consistency is thicker
• The mixing ratio of laminating resin is much simpler
• You can only cast this type of resin in thin layers
• Laminating resin offers a much faster processing time
• The curing time is faster

The Best Epoxy Resin for Tables

One of the most increasingly popular resin projects is making tables from epoxy resin. This allows you to make all kinds of tables in different forms. Making epoxy resin tables is not that easy though, and it will require some knowledge and practice. The thickness of the resin is important to understand before making your casting. Typically, a table with a 5cm thickness will need at least 10kg of resin. Of course, this depends on the size of the table. You will need to use a special deep pour epoxy designed for this.

When resin cures, it creates an exothermic reaction. This reaction generates heat, which could damage the surrounding wood on the table. Because of this, you should use a more premium resin specifically designed for castings like this. You will also need patience because it is best to apply the resin in numerous thin layers. Here are a few important properties for the best epoxy resin tables:

• The resin thickness should be able to be 5cm
• You should use a resin that can be processed in big batches without overheating taking place
• UV protected resin is best to avoid yellowing
• Resin with a longer pot life will allow air bubbles to escape which is important when casting a table

Our Table Casting Resin Recommendation: INCREDIBLE SOLUTIONS Deep Pour Resin

Incredible Solutions offers some of the most premium casting resins available. This product is specially designed to process large amounts of resin at a time and pouring deep castings. This resin can be cast in layers with a thickness of 2 inches. This makes it the best epoxy resin for casting tables, as it works perfectly for this type of thicker, larger application.

This deep pour epoxy is perfectly clear, and it maintains this clarity thanks to its UV filter. This offers protection against yellowing over time. The consistency of the resin is thinner than many others, which makes it ideal for pouring. The resin can enter small cracks, and any air bubbles can easily escape.

INCREDIBLE SOLUTIONS Pourable Plastic Clear Casting Resin

• A special deep pour 2" thick casting resin
• Low exotherm and low viscosity with long working times
• Colored epoxy compatible - mixes well with mica powder

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The Best Epoxy Resin Product for Crafts and Art

Another popular branch of resin crafts includes art. There are many different techniques for utilizing resin in artworks. You can use casting epoxy for creating resin jewelry, decorative shapes, or casting paintings on wooden surfaces using color pigments. The best epoxy for these applications will need to be set in fairly thin layers. This epoxy should also be mixed with color pigments, and the consistency should not be too thin, as this could cause unwanted color mixing.

Epoxy resin for resin art has been specifically designed for the needs of artists using epoxy. The best epoxy for these applications is safe to use with a lack of solvents, odor, and VOCs. The best epoxy resin will also include UV inhibitors to maintain clarity and stop the resin from yellowing over time. Even the best epoxy resin will slowly lose some of its clarity over time. However, the best products won’t do this very noticeably – particularly if you are mixing in color pigments. When looking for the best epoxy resin for art, there are a few important considerations to bear in mind:

• It is best to use a thicker epoxy resin which allows for better color separation
• Look out for products labeled as “laminating resin” – this is the type of resin you are after
• You should get a long enough processing time for casting the artwork
• Look for a UV protected resin to avoid yellowing and maintain clarity

Best Epoxy Resin for Art: PRO MARINE ProArt Epoxy

This resin for crafts is safe to use thanks to its eco-friendly formula. This means it is completely free from any solvents and creates very little odor. The premium art epoxy has UV protectors included to stop the resin from yellowing. This resin has also been designed to accommodate pigments and color dyes, without the different colors mixing unintentionally. The ProArt epoxy resin has been specially designed for use with arts and crafts, so its formula is ideal for all types of epoxy artists.

PROMARINE SUPPLIES Clear Epoxy Art Resin

• A premium quality clear epoxy art resin
• 100% non-toxic and safe to use
• Versatile, multipurpose resin for all sorts of DIY projects

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Best Epoxy Resin for Floors

Another one of the most popular resin projects includes flooring. Clear epoxy resin offers a durable, practical, attractive finish for all kinds of living spaces. Resin flooring can be used in bedrooms, living rooms, basements, garages, kitchens, bathrooms, and so on. Durable epoxy resin can also be used to cover wooden floors.

The best epoxy resin for flooring needs to be durable enough to withstand heavy foot traffic and use. However, it also needs to be flexible enough to support all loads. Flooring epoxy should also be easy to apply, and allow air bubbles to escape. Epoxy flooring can also come in a single component paint form that does not need to be mixed. When choosing the best epoxy resin for flooring, you should bear these points in mind:

• The best epoxy resin for flooring needs to be durable enough to withstand heavy use
• Self-leveling epoxy resin is best for easy applications
• Try to get a resin that allows air bubbles to easily escape
• The processing time should accommodate larger areas
• UV-protected resin is best to avoid yellowing
• The resin should be durable with a high level of abrasion and impact resistance

Best Epoxy Resin for Floors: RUST-OLEUM Epoxy Shield

This clear epoxy resin by Rust-Oleum is the ideal product for use on floors. The resin penetrates well into the surface below, providing a long-lasting, durable bond with a high level of stability. The resin is easy to apply with a roller and can be done by people of all DIY skill levels. This floor coating specially designed for optimal use on all types of floors to achieve perfect results.

RUST-OLEUM EpoxyShield Floor Coating

• Very durable, Formula for garage floors, basements and more
• Hardenes within one day, drive-on ready in 72 hours
• Super adhesion on surfaces, covers up to 500 sq ft

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Best Epoxy Resin for Jewelry

Another one of the most well-loved resin crafts is creating jewelry. This can be done with jewelry casting epoxy and silicone molds. You can make any type of jewelry in all colors. You can also include other materials, such as wood, or cast items inside the jewelry. The best epoxy resin for jewelry can be poured in any thickness of layers, but the important thing is UV protection. This ensures maximum clarity and color separation. Make sure to choose a crystal clear casting resin for making jewelry. Here are some important considerations for the best epoxy resin for this purpose:

• You want a resin that is as hard as possible to avoid scratching
• Try to get a resin that allows air bubbles to easily escape by themselves
• UV-protected resin is best to stop it from yellowing or changing colors

Best Product for Jewelry Making: PRO MARINE ProArt Resin

This versatile product is suitable for a wide range of resin crafts and is the perfect option for making resin jewelry. The resin cures incredibly hard and dries crystal clear. The formula offers excellent color separation. This epoxy resin is also a great consistency for all kinds of casting and crafting applications.

PROMARINE SUPPLIES Clear Epoxy Art Resin

• A premium quality clear epoxy art resin
• 100% non-toxic and safe to use
• Versatile, multipurpose resin for all sorts of DIY projects

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Best Epoxy Resin for Tumblers

Casting epoxy can also be used to create exciting tumblers. This form of resin crafts allows you to become completely creative with tumblers, giving you the freedom to create sparkly, colorful creations to match your personality. When choosing the best epoxy resin for tumblers, here are some important things to consider:

• Pay attention to the thickness of the resin
• The resin should be FDA compliant
• Always look out for UV-resistant properties
• Resin for tumblers should be heat resistant
• Pay attention to things like odors and VOC levels for making the resin safer to work with

Best Epoxy Resin for Tumblers: ArtResin Clear Epoxy

This non-toxic epoxy resin is a versatile choice for all sorts of arts and crafts projects. This is the ideal choice for tumblers thanks to its food-safe, VOC-free formula. This resin is UV stabilized for long-lasting clarity and non-yellowing. The epoxy resin is easy to work with, mold, and it dries to an incredibly hard, durable finish.

ARTRESIN Clear Epoxy Resin

• Non-toxic, VOC-free, and non-BPA epoxy resin
• UV and HALS stabilized for yellowing protection
• High-gloss, self-levelling, easy to use formula

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Best Epoxy Spray Paint

You can get special epoxy paint that comes in a convenient spray form. This spray paint includes a hardener and epoxy that cures to an incredibly tough finish. It is more resistant than other types of paint and produces a coating that can hold up against grease, oil, chemicals, stains, and other types of dirt. Epoxy spray paint is suitable for use on most surfaces and materials.

Best Epoxy Spray Paint: RUST-OLEUM Appliance Epoxy

This spray paint can be used over metal appliances, furniture, cabinets, and other indoor items. The paint provides a perfectly smooth finish to complety enhance the items look. Once dried, the paint offers va very high level of resistance to the item, and it can hold up against abrasions and scratches. The formula also resists rust and moisture.

This epoxy paint can be used on basically all metallic indoor appliances to provide a fresh, protective coating for a brand new look. Just be aware that the paint is not heat-resistant, so it cant be used on things like stovetops. This epoxy paint comes in a variety of colors to perfectly match your appliances.

RUST-OLEUM Appliance Epoxy Spray

• A tough, durable epoxy coating for use on appliances
• Provides superior abrasion and scratch resistance
• Prevents rust from coming through and makes finishes look new

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UV Resin

UV resin is a unique product. This type of resin is not available in two-parts but comes pre-mixed. The resin will only start to cure when exposed to UV radiation. When it does get exposed, the resin cures incredibly fast. This is the perfect solution for small mold castings or making speedy repairs on various crafts and resin items. When buying the best UV-resin, there are a few considerations to make:

• Choose the thickness of the resin according to the application
• If you are pouring the resin, try to choose a product that allows air bubbles to easily escape
• You will need an effective UV lamp available for curing this resin
• UV resin generally has more odors involved than other types of resin

Best UV Resin: DecorRom UV Resin

DecorRom produces a good variety of UV resins. This product is a high-quality UV resin that dries to a perfectly clear finish. This perfectly transparent resin dries seriously fast once exposed to UV light. The resin is also easy to free from air bubbles. This product offers great value for money too.

DECORROM Crystal Clear UV Resin

• Easy to use, instant curing UV resin
• Premium resin for a clear, glossy, waterproof finish
• Multipurpose resin for casting and coating applications

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The Best Epoxy Casting Resin

When you buy epoxy resin for casting, there are a few unique things to look out for. This type of resin is different from the resin used for surface coatings. Casting resin needs to be done in deeper molds and layers. It shouldn’t harden too quickly and produce too much heat. This resin should also be able to release air bubbles, as its depth while pouring can create a lot of bubbles. When you buy epoxy resin for casting, there are some important considerations to make:

• Casting resin has a thinner consistency
• This resin should cure slower in order to produce less heat
• The resin should produce layers around 5cm in thickness
• The resin should include a UV filter to maintain its transparency

Best Epoxy Resin for Casting: INCREDIBLE SOLUTIONS Casting Resin

This epoxy resin by Incredible Solutions is specially designed as a deep pour epoxy. The formula is suitable for molds that are 2 inches thick. The resin is crystal clear when dried, and will release air bubbles by itself. It has a working time of 24 hours which helps it to release heat slowly.

INCREDIBLE SOLUTIONS Pourable Plastic Clear Casting Resin

• A special deep pour 2" thick casting resin
• Low exotherm and low viscosity with long working times
• Colored epoxy compatible - mixes well with mica powder

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Food Safe Epoxy Resin

If you will be using epoxy for surfaces that will hold food or drink, the epoxy should contain food-safe properties. This is important for things like kitchen counters, tumblers, coasters, and so on. For this to be the case, food-safe epoxy should meet all FDA requirements. Ideally, the formula should be non-toxic and contain no VOCs. When looking for the best epoxy resin that is food safe, certain considerations should be made:

• The resin must not transfer any smell or taste to the food
• The resin should offer zero health hazards if food is consumed from it
• The material should not release any components into the food
• Look for a non-toxic, VOC-free, odorless formula

Best Food-Safe Epoxy Resin: STONE COAT Countertops Art Coat

This food-safe resin by Stone Coat is one of the absolute best options for safe, practical use. The epoxy resin has been created for use on countertops, with all precautions taken to ensure it is suitable for a food-safe environment. The resin is heat resistant, contains zero VOCs, is UV protected, and cures to a completely clear, beautiful finish.

STONE COAT Countertops Super Cast Resin

• A durable woodworking/countertop epoxy resin
• Scratch-resistant and UV resistant
• Provides a clear and shiny finish

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Epoxy Adhesive for Plastic

There are loads of different glues and adhesives out there, but epoxy is one of the best options. Epoxy adhesive is preferred by many DIY enthusiasts or avid crafters. This type of adhesive bonds strongly to any plastic surface, and can be used for a really long-lasting, durable bond. Epoxy adhesives come in two parts that need to be mixed together to form a super-strong and resistant adhesive formula.

Best Epoxy Adhesive: GORILLA 2-Part Epoxy Syringe

Gorilla is one of the best names when it comes to adhesives, and this product really emphasizes this. This epoxy adhesive is incredibly durable, and it offers excellent value for money. The adhesive is suitable for a wide range of surfaces to provide a long-lasting bond. This product can be used to fill in gaps or holes, and it dries to an attractive finish. This glue dries to touch pretty quickly, but it will take some time for it to cure fully. The bonding strength can be used to maintain many different materials and hold them together for a long time.

GORILLA 2-Part Epoxy Syringe

• Strong, permanent, fast, and gap-filling glue for multiple surfaces
• Best for tough repairs requiring a durable bond and solvent resistance 
• Dries clear, sets within 5 minutes, and is ideal for clean, easy finishing

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Things to Know When Choosing the Best Epoxy Resin

Why do people choose epoxy resin? This substance offers the highest level of strength, durability, chemical resistance, and bonding strength. Its low-porosity makes it an ideal substance for use as a protective surface layer. Epoxy resin is clearly very versatile for all sorts of different applications. This product comes in two parts that need to be mixed together to form a strong bond. You will need to pay attention to the different parts and ratios when mixing epoxy resin in order to create the perfect mixture.

Once the components are mixed together, the epoxy resin will have a limited amount of time before it dries. Therefore, it is important to work with the resin quickly once it is mixed. When it sets, the full curing process can take a few days though.

Viscosity or Fluidity of the Epoxy Resin

Different types of epoxy resins have different levels of fluidity – called their viscosity. As mentioned earlier, casting resins for pouring are thinner. This is because the thinner consistency produces less heat, so they can dry in thicker layers. Thinner epoxy is more difficult to work with though, and it can cause a mess or drip. It is important to create solid barriers and molds when pouring this type of resin.

A lot of resins are thicker which makes them easier to work with. The problem with this is that you can only apply thin layers at a time. Thicker layers will lead to a more intense reaction, creating more heat and making the resin become unstable or cloudy. This means you cant use high-viscosity resins for deep pouring or casting.

Processing Time

This is how long the resin will stay liquid after it is mixed. Once mixed, the epoxy will begin to dry. Once the processing time is over, the resin cannot be worked with, and air bubbles will not escape.

Casting resins have a longer processing time. This is because the thicker pours produce more bubbles which need time to escape. Larger projects will also need more time to prepare. This is something to be aware of when mixing resin, as you might waste resin if you mix more than you can use at a time.

Curing Time

The curing time of epoxy resin refers to how long the resin takes to fully dry and harden. This is longer with casting resins. Usually, casting resins take about 48 hours to fully cure, while other epoxy resin takes about 24 hours. Although, this could take 20 minutes for some products. A slower casting process releases heat slower which is needed for thicker applications. If the epoxy cures too quickly, it can release too much heat. If the resin is too thick, it could overheat and break up while casting.

Epoxy Resin Hardness

Generally, casting resin is not as hard. However, changing up the mixing ratio of the casting resin can affect its overall hardness. It is important to consider the flexibility of the resin too while mixing this ratio. Epoxy resin cast in certain formats will require a level of flexibility to expand and contract with surrounding surfaces. This can be created by varying the amount of hardeners used. Every project is unique, so pick a product and formula that will work for your application.

Top Tip: Laminating resin is usually harder than casting resin. Coating things like resin countertops in a laminating resin is a good idea for producing a more durable, scratch-resistant finish.

UV Resistance

No matter what type of resin you are working with, it can be enhanced with UV protection. If the epoxy resin is not UV protected, it will likely start to yellow and lose its color and clarity over time. This is particularly true for products left outdoors or exposed to plenty of sunlight. If you are using a permanent casting or coating resin, UV protection will allow you to get a longer life from the product without it losing its original appearance.

Air Bubbles

One of the big problems when working with epoxy resin is the formation of bubbles. This is true for any type of epoxy resin. Generally, casting resin that is used for deeper pours will produce more air bubbles than thinner layers of resin. Very thin layers of epoxy will have the bubbles rising quickly to the surface and bursting.

Bubbles can be avoided on surfaces through a few techniques. Applying a sealant over porous materials, like wood, is necessary for reducing bubbles. This involves a thin layer of epoxy resin is applied before doing a thick pour. If the epoxy has a slower curing time, there is also more time for the bubbles to be released.

Heat Resistance

Most of the best epoxy resins you come across are not specifically designed to be heat resistant. If you are using epoxy resin for things like coasters or kitchen countertops, you should buy epoxy resin that offers a level of heat resistance. This is more expensive, but it can save you from distorting and ruining your epoxy surface.

Different types of heat-resistant epoxies are available for different uses. You can get normal domestic ones or super-strength industrial epoxies that can take extreme temperatures. These are enhanced with things like quartz and other fillers to provide heat resistance as well as durability and abrasion resistance.

Adding Color to Epoxy Resin

Clear epoxy resin is great, but you can also color it for different applications and crafts. This can be done with powdered pigments, dyes, and special resin coloring agents. Make sure that the resin you use is compatible with coloring, and that you use the right amount of dye for your desired color. Be careful though, as coloring epoxy can disrupt its properties, changing its effects slightly.

Mixing Epoxy Resin

For the best epoxy resin results, you will need to make sure that you mix the resin at the correct ratio. The epoxy and hardener need to be combined at the right measurements to get the correct results. This can change between different products, so it is important to check the manufacturer’s instructions when weighing and mixing the epoxy resin.

Painting Surface

Epoxy resin can be used as a painting surface. This substance can be added to just about any clean surface, and it will adhere really well. Wooden painting backgrounds are recommended for this use though. Epoxy as a painting ground is firm, durable, smooth, and won’t sag as canvas does.

Fixing Sticky Resin

Sometimes, you might work with epoxy resin and find that it just doesn’t cure. Even after a few days, the epoxy could remain sticky. This could be because the epoxy was not mixed at the correct ratio, or the product was expired or damaged in some way. There are ways of fixing this issue though. Follow these steps to save sticky resin surfaces:

• Start by scraping away and disposing of any sticky resin that you can
• Once scraped off, apply the newly mixed resin to the surface to fill in any gaps, holes, or cracks
• Wait for the new resin to properly cure, then sand it down to match the entire surface of the object
• Clean away any dust and apply a second coat
• Once the second coat of resin has cured, any problems caused by the sticky resin will now be cleared up. The object should now be perfectly cured without any sticky areas remaining.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Can You Use to Color Epoxy Resin?

There are many different options available. Coloring epoxy resin can be done with pigment powders, epoxy resin color pastes, coloring dyes, airbrush paints, alcohol inks, and more.

How Do You Mix Epoxy Resin?

Mixing epoxy resin needs to be done thoroughly in order for the two components to mix properly together. Try to mix the resin in a disposable container – we recommend plastic mixing cups. Follow the product’s instructions to find the correct mixing ratio.

Where Can You Buy Epoxy Resin?

You can buy epoxy resin at most home improvement or hardware stores. However, it is best to buy epoxy resin online, as you get a much wider selection of products., This allows you to get the perfect solution for your project.

Epoxy resin is one of the most versatile and useful products out there. Follow our guide above for the different uses of epoxy with top product recommendations. We hope to have inspired you to get started with this exciting material!