UV Resin - Complete manual
UV Resin is extremely popular. The ready-to-use 1-component resin hardens by means of UV light, perfect for thin layers and small creations such as jewelry and key rings. In this article we answer most questions about uv resin.
What is UV resin?
UV resin is a resin that you do not have to mix . You pour this resin directly from the bottle into the silicone mold or onto the surface. UV resin hardens within a few minutes by means of UV light. UV resin hardens under a UV resin LED lamp or in direct sunlight.
With a normal epoxy you work with a mixing ratio of for example 1:1 or 1:6. This is often only hard within 12-24 hours. The mixing also often goes wrong, which means the epoxy does not harden. You do not have this problem with ready-made UV Resin. You also do not have to wait 12-24 hours.
What is UV resin suitable for?
UV resin is specifically for casting thin layers and making small objects such as jewelry, key chains and other art. UV resin is ideal because this resin only needs a few minutes to fully cure. When using normal 2-component epoxy, a curing time of 12-24 hours applies.
Jewelry and art
UV resin is suitable for making resin art jewelry, small artworks or applying a coating/protective layer on jewelry, happystones, polymer clay earrings and other art. This epoxy has been ordered by more than 25,000 customers and has 750+ reviews.
Coating/protective layer
Ready-to-use UV resin is widely used for finishing polymer clay earrings, miniature construction, fimo clay, happy stones and more. Easily create a beautiful glossy topcoat layer that also provides extra protection for your artwork.
Above you see three different examples of customer reviews, which can be found on the product page of the UV resin from itsOkay.
On the left picture you see polymer clay earrings made by Lucienne who finished them with the UV Resin. This gives a shiny result.
In the middle you see a ring of Carel. The goldsmith had placed a cast silver monogram on a memorial ring / ash ring and this was filled with the ready-made resin with the addition of pigment. Because transparent was not chosen, but opaque, it now looks like a stone so that it has become a kind of signet ring.
The third photo shows a hand-decorated oyster by Claudia. She used to use boat varnish but finds UV Resin easier and more beautiful.
As you can see, you can go in all directions with the ready-made resin. Are you not entirely sure whether this epoxy is suitable for your project? Then ask us via info@itsokay.nl or look at the product page of the mold you want to use. Here we indicate which epoxy is best to use for that specific mold.
How hard does UV resin harden?
In direct sunlight
UV resin ready-made hardens under the influence of UV light. In the summer, in direct sunlight, the resin is hard within a few minutes . In the winter, when it is cloudy, the hardening can take longer. Think of at least 45-60 minutes. We do not recommend this.
Under a UV resin lamp
It is easiest to cure UV resin under a UV resin lamp. Preferably use a real lamp for UV resin, such as the lamp below. When using a UV lamp, you are not dependent on the weather and the curing is very fast. You can use this lamp at any time.
With a stronger UV resin lamp of e.g. 36 watts or 84 watts, the curing takes less than a minute. These lamps are ideal. However, for the best result, it is still advisable to build up artwork in layers and let it harden in between.
The above UV resin lamp has been specially developed for a perfect even curing of all smaller projects with UV Resin.
Is UV resin UV resistant?
UV resin from itsOkay has a good UV resistance. This resin is resistant to UV radiation. You can prevent yellowing by adding color pigment to UV Resin. However, UV Resin will always yellow slightly over time. For transparent castings, we therefore recommend using a two-component epoxy with UV blocker.
Difference between UV resin and epoxy
UV resin ready to use
UV resin is a 1-component resin and is ready to use. This resin does not need to be mixed. UV resin hardens within 1-2 minutes by means of UV light.
This resin is ideal for making small items such as jewelry, key rings or to use as a coating/protective layer for happystones, polymer clay earrings and jewelry.
The advantage of UV resin is that it works quickly. UV resin hardens very quickly. So you don't have to wait 24-48 hours for it to harden. This allows you to work faster. The disadvantage of this resin is that it is more expensive than normal epoxy casting resin.
Make sure you pour thin layers and let them harden in between. The recommended thickness is a maximum of a few millimeters per pour. Make sure you always use a transparent silicone mold with this resin, so that you can also let the bottom harden.
Two component epoxy
A two-component epoxy such as the Epoxy casting resin 1:1 and the UltraEpoxy casting resin always consists of 2 parts. These must be mixed together in a certain ratio. If this ratio is deviated from too much, there is a chance that it will not harden properly. These epoxy resins are used for larger projects such as coasters, photo frames, as a coating for tables and objects, floors and paintings. But can also be used for smaller works of art.
Two-component epoxy resins must cure for at least 12-24 hours. You can cast this epoxy to a thickness of 1-2 cm. The advantage of two-component epoxy casting resin is that it almost always cures nicely and is cheaper in comparison to UV Resin. To determine which epoxy is ideal for your project, you must therefore look at what you want to make, how much time you have for this and how much epoxy you need.6 Reasons Why UV Resin Does Not Cure
Have you started a beautiful work of art and it just won't harden? This can have several causes. The UV resin from itsOkay has been extensively tested by experts and thousands of customers. It will harden, provided it is used correctly. If this is not the case, something has gone wrong.
1. Not cured long enough
UV resin hardens by means of UV light (sunlight). This means in direct sunlight and this even works in cloudy conditions. UV resin does not dry inside in front of a window.
When the sun is shining, UV resin is hard within 10-15 minutes and when it is cloudy, about 30-45 minutes. Then turn the silicone mold over and let the bottom harden as well. Under a UV resin led lamp, resin dries within 1-2 minutes.
2. Too much or wrong pigment used
It may happen that you have used too much dye or that you have used pigments from brands that are not intended for resin. If you have used too much pigment, this can cause the composition of the resin to be affected. As a result, the resin cannot harden properly. The packaging of epoxy color pigment indicates how much you may use.
Do not use dark colours such as dark purple or black. The UV light cannot penetrate these colours properly and this will prevent UV resin from curing (completely). Alcohol ink is also not suitable for UV resin.
Always mix dye with resin in a mixing cup before pouring into the mold. Especially when liquid dyes or epoxy pigment powder are not mixed well with epoxy, watery spots can occur.
3. Too thick a layer cast
UV resin is best poured in multiple layers, of maximum 1-3 mm thickness. Let the layers harden in between. The thicker the layer, the harder it will harden. Especially when dark epoxy dye or glitter is used.
4. Wrong type of mold used
Only pour UV Resin into transparent molds. This is because after curing the top, you also have to turn the mold over and cure the bottom. Molds that are not transparent do not let the UV Light through, which means that the UV Resin cannot (fully) cure.
5. Unsuitable UV LED lamp
When curing UV Resin always choose a good quality UV resin led lamp specially made for uv resin. If UV Resin does not cure properly, there is a big chance that the led lamp used is unsuitable or weak.
Prevent stickiness of UV resin
Stickiness is common with resin. Fortunately, this is easy to solve. Because we want to give the best tips, we constantly test such problems. The cause of this is usually that the resin has not (properly) hardened or that too much pigment has been used. In some cases, the humidity in the room in which you are working can be too high.
To prevent sticky UV Resin, it is best to pour in thin layers of maximum 1-5 mm and let them harden in between. So do not pour a silicone mold full in one go and do not apply a thick layer to a work of art.
Tips for sticky UV resin
- Allow the resin to cure longer than stated in the resin instructions.
- If this doesn't help, you can put your artwork in a bowl of water. Put the bowl of water in the sun or under a UV lamp and let it harden again. The stickiness will now dissolve in most cases.
- Apply a small amount of dishwashing liquid or alcohol to your artwork. Then rinse clean under the tap. The stickiness will disappear.
- Apply a new coat of resin, varnish or epoxy sealer over the sticky layer.
More information?
Do you have questions about making art, jewelry or casting/coating floors or other objects? At itsOkay, several epoxy experts work with each their own expertise. We are happy to help you.
Please contact itsOkay customer service or take a look at the Epoxy knowledge center .
