Resin is a synthetic, often malleable substance. It can be used for molds and epoxy projects, including some DIY hobby crafts.
The plasticity of the resin is a function of its monomers and polymers. The result is an elastic substance that can be molded into many shapes and forms to fulfill a variety of purposes.
There is a multitude of ways to connect resin to more resin in order to create larger creations than would otherwise be possible with just one piece—such as creating your own custom kitchen table or designing a jewelry box.
In this article, we’ll look at several different ways you can connect this material together using adhesives and other methods to make sure your project stays secure.
How do you connect resin to resin?
Here’s a handy reference guide to the best ways to connect resin parts together:
- Superglue: Cyanoacrylate, also known as super glue, is an extremely strong adhesive. It’s so strong that it doesn’t always allow for repositioning of pieces once it has been set. If you want to try using super glue for connecting resin parts, we recommend UV-cured formulas because they dry faster and are generally less messy than the traditional sort.
- Epoxy Resin Glue: A product like our Crystal Clear Epoxy Resin works specifically with resin and hardens clear so you can create seamless connections between parts. It dries fast, has a low odor, and is safe for food contact when cured.
- Heat: Heat can be used to soften plastic or vinyl objects so they fuse together when pressed against each other. This method isn’t recommended for resin parts since they may melt together in an undesirable way or release toxic fumes when heated up too much (some types of resin are flammable).
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How do you attach resin to resin?
When you’re working with resin, you’ll need to learn how to attach it to other pieces of resin. It’s actually pretty easy! You can use a UV light.
It doesn’t even have to be a special UV light; you can use a UV lamp, or even a UV flashlight if you want. Or maybe try using a UV torch, or even an old UV nail lamp in your basement.
The point is any kind of thing that emits ultraviolet light will do the job here. If you don’t have any of these things lying around the house, don’t worry! Just buy one!
They aren’t that expensive and they’re great for all kinds of projects (not just resin).
How do you join two pieces of resin?
- Use a clamp. If you are joining two pieces of resin horizontally, use a C clamp to hold the two pieces together while the glue dries.
- Use a liquid epoxy. Liquid epoxy is an easy way to join together two pieces of resin that do not fit perfectly together.
- Use a glue gun. If you are joining two pieces vertically, use a hot glue gun to attach the resin and then put several pounds of pressure on it until the glue dries.
Does resin adhere to resin?
¯ What you need to know: Making resin-to-resin joints is not exactly rocket science. But it’s important to make sure they’re fully cured, or else the excess resin will leak out and damage your work or even possibly ruin the piece altogether.
If you do want to experiment with connecting two pieces of resin, though, here are some really simple tips that will help ensure you achieve a secure join.
The steps:
- Apply a thin layer of casting resin over one side of each piece of stock (I used 1/4″ birch plywood). Press them together and let them dry for at least 24 hours.
- Sand the edges of both pieces, using sandpaper about two grades higher than your final desired finish (I used 80 grit on my project, which was an old dial that I was turning into a clock). This helps smooth out any imperfections in the edges so they won’t be visible when they’re joined. You could also use sandpaper wrapped around a cylinder if this option appeals more to you.
- Apply another thin layer of fine sanding dust to both sides of the stock with a small brush before applying the joining resin. This will help fill any gaps or cracks and create an even surface for your joint later on.
- Before applying fresh casting resin over all exposed surfaces, press together these parts so they form one flat piece again before adding more coats of jointing material where needed—or as many as necessary to cure properly (I used three coats total). It’s best not to pack on too much pressure when using this technique because it can cause unwanted bubbles and unevenness in the surface due to compressed air in the airbrush tip drying out the mixture prematurely. This method took about 30 minutes for me for each half dozen pieces, but that doesn’t take into account painting time or drying times (which tend towards longer than shorter on larger pieces), so I’d recommend measuring how long
How do you attach resin?
Yes! You can connect resin to resin—but you will have to select the right type of adhesive. Because different types of adhesives possess widely varying chemical compositions, each one is designed to work best with a particular set of resins.
So how do you know which adhesive is right for your project? The answer comes down to the kind of resin you’re using.
As you may already know, there are many different kinds of resins out there—an acrylic resin, a polyester resin, a fiberglass resin, a polyurethane resin, a silicone resin, an epoxy resin
How do you smooth resin edges?
The best way to smooth resin edges is by sanding. A Dremel tool is the best option for medium-sized pieces, but if it’s a large piece you can use sandpaper.
If it’s not a flat surface, you can use sandpaper or a file to do it. Lastly, there are products like GS Hypo Cement which will fill in gaps and create easy connections between resin pieces.
How do you fix cracks in resin?
The process of fixing a crack in resin is relatively quick and easy. The first thing you need to do is clean the area that needs repair with soapy water and then dries it off with a lint-free cloth, such as an old tee shirt.
Next, scrub the area with acetone or denatured alcohol and let it dry completely.
You can use either epoxy putty or a combination of resin and hardener to fill in the crack. Whichever method you choose, make sure that you do not overfill the area where the crack was because, if you do, all you have done is create another problem that will require more sanding later on.
Once you’ve filled the crack with your product of choice (and made sure that it has dried completely), lightly sand down any excess filler material around the repaired area, and then polish away!
Can you glue 3D resin pieces together?
The answer to how to connect resin is simple: you can glue it!
If you’ve got a bunch of pieces that have been printed out by 3D printers, it’s pretty easy to figure out just the right kind of glue that works for you. You’ll end up with three things:
- your object(s) stepped into their new home
- you have a piece of art
- you have a proof that you can use to create any other objects
Conclusion
Connecting two pieces of freshly poured resin is simple. You just need to pour the second piece within the specified amount of time, which varies depending on the brand you use and can be found on the product’s website or instruction sheet.
A good rule of thumb is to pour within an hour or two of your first piece’s cure time beginning.
But if you’re working with cured resin, or want to use a different brand than your first piece, there are other options that take a little more effort.
You can reheat either piece using a heat gun, which will allow them to fuse together seamlessly. Or you can sand down one side of each piece and then bond them together using epoxy glue.
All three methods are easy, but curing resin takes longer than drying paint does—so it might not always be possible to make a seamless connection between different colors in one sitting if you’re trying out something complicated for the first time.
For pieces that will have multiple colors like this, it may be best to plan ahead and have some extra connections built into your design so that you don’t accidentally end up with disconnected parts at the end of your project!
