If you’re reading this, then you are most likely a confused homeowner who is wondering how to encase something in epoxy resin.
You might even be asking yourself why that would ever be necessary…but you know if it’s something worth doing — it is worth overdoing!
How do you cast something in epoxy?
In the simplest terms, casting a project in epoxy involves pouring the resin into a mold and waiting for it to cure. However, there are many important details that must be followed in order to have successful projects.
To start, you will need to select an epoxy resin for your project. The best option is usually one of our ART Resins because they are formulated specifically for artistic applications and offer very long working times when compared to other resins.
The second step is preparing the mold by coating it with a release agent or releasing spray. Since epoxies don’t bond well to most pills, except platinum-cured silicones and certain plastics, a release agent will help minimize any problems you might run into when demolding your piece.
After coating your mold with release and allowing it to dry, pour equal amounts of hardener and resin into separate clean mixing cups then use a wooden popsicle stick or stir stick to mix them together thoroughly until they are completely combined (about 2 minutes).
Now that you have prepared your epoxy it is time to add any coloring agents such as pigments or alcohol inks before pouring the mixture into your prepared mold.
Once all the liquids have been poured, spread the resin around with a spatula or stir stick if needed then wait at least 24 hours for it to cure fully before removing it from the mold.
Some more complex molds may require additional time but this can vary depending on what type of material was used and how large the finished piece ended up being.
Table of Contents
- How do you cast something in epoxy?
- Can you encase things in resin?
- How do you enclose wood in resin?
- How do you encase in clear epoxy?
- How do you seal something in resin?
- How do you attach shells to resin?
- How do you encase a photo with resin?
- How do you cover wood with epoxy?
- How do you finish wood with epoxy?
- How do you seal the live edge before epoxy?
Can you encase things in resin?
I always enjoy learning something new, so when I got a call from a friend asking me how to encase something in resin, I thought it was worth a quick Google.
The results were pretty straightforward: there are many different types of epoxies, some of which can be used to encapsulate objects.
The product I ended up choosing is the clear epoxy that’s used for wrapping things like pianos for shipping. It’s not hard to work with; all you need is an inexpensive plastic mixing tray and an eyedropper (which is also helpful if you use this on anything but a flat surface).
Note: this resin will dry fast, so make sure your object goes into it completely before it dries out.
With that said, here are some tips and tricks that may help you out in the future: -When applying this epoxy, cover your object completely with a thin layer at first. This will reduce air bubbles later on, as well as give it a better starting point for the next layer of resin.
Also, if your object starts to bubble after drying (as mine did), mix another small batch of resin and quickly put down another layer before the first layer has had time to cure slightly.
If using this product on anything other than flat surfaces or hard materials like wood or metal (but NOT fabric , since it could cause warping), take care not to overdo it or have bubbles form later on since these could seriously ruin your project! Lastly, always let your project cure for 48 hours before moving it around or using it with the environment around you.
How do you enclose wood in resin?
Another way to enclose wood in resin is to coat the inside of the mold with a waterproof layer. This could be plastic wrap, wax paper, or even a thin layer of silicone. The purpose of this step is primarily aesthetic: Since natural wood has imperfections like cracks and knots, using a molding medium will ensure that there are no gaps between the wood and the cured resin layer.
Once you’ve coated your inside mold with your chosen material, slowly pour resin over it, making sure that it floods into every nook and cranny.
Use your stirring stick to smooth out any air bubbles that float up to the surface. You can also use a heat gun (or even a hairdryer) to remove any stubborn bubbles by gently running it over the top of the mold while constantly moving it back and forth.
As long as you work in an environment where there’s plenty of ventilation, you should be able to use epoxy resin on wood safely. Just make sure to follow safety precautions at all times!
How do you encase in clear epoxy?
If you’re using a pressure pot, make sure you don’t mix too fast. It will force air bubbles into your epoxy which will show up in the final product.
Also, be careful with the mix ratio. You want to use as little hardener as possible to get a clear epoxy. Too much hardener can cause cloudiness in the epoxy and make it yellow over time.
You can use a little bit of pigment to help with clarity if needed but it’s best not to if you can avoid it.
How do you seal something in resin?
There’s a super-easy way to make resin and it’s right in your kitchen cupboard. If you’ve got the average household supplies, you’re all set.
Sealing Something In Resin: What You Need
- A piece of wood or glass that is at least 5/8″ thick (Wood pieces should be sanded and sealed with polyurethane.)
- A large piece of cardboard or wax paper
- Clear Epoxy (I used E6000, but there are lots of clear epoxies on the market)
- Disposable spoon for mixing
How do you attach shells to resin?
To attach shells to resin, you need to use a special type of resin — the kind that’s used for river tables or other large, thick pieces.
You’ll want to place the shells on a flat surface, like a photograph or woodblock. The resin must be waterproof and strong enough to hold up the shell without breaking off.
I think you should use water resistant glue and a strong adhesive that will last for a while. You can also try using a waterproof adhesive or even just superglue!
How do you encase a photo with resin?
- Prepare the picture for encasing. If you are using a copy of a picture, use an inkjet-printed copy to avoid any air bubbles. Before placing the photo in resin, make sure it is completely dry and free of any dust or debris.
- Use a paintbrush to apply a thin layer of resin over the surface that you want your photo on.
- Place the photo over the thin layer of resin and gently press down on it with your fingers. Be careful not to let any debris fall into the resin.
- Pour more epoxy over the picture so that it covers the entire image and will seal it in place when it dries. In order to prevent air bubbles from forming under your image, use an artist’s torch to gently warm up the surface of the resin until they form at the top and pop.
- Let your new piece dry completely before touching or adding anything else to it!
How do you cover wood with epoxy?
It’s easy to cover wood with epoxy. You just fix the wood in a mold of your choice and cover the wood with a layer of epoxy. Then you wait for the epoxy to dry.
The only problem is that if any air bubbles rise to the surface, they will stay there and ruin it. So surround your wood with a thick layer of uncured resin, then pour more resin on top of it so that the bubbles rise through the blob and escape into the atmosphere.
How do you finish wood with epoxy?
The best way to finish wood with epoxy is to sand the wood then apply a stain or dye. After that, use a clear coat or sealant, or varnish or epoxy over the top. You can apply it with a brush or sprayer.
How do you seal the live edge before epoxy?
Shellac primer, spray lacquer, and two-part epoxy are three alternative options for sealing the live edge.
For a shellac primer, you need to apply the shellac with small soft brushes or foam pads. You can also use a paint roller or airbrush if you want large areas of live edge covered quickly. You can also use spray cans of shellac but it will be very messy because it does not dry as fast as most epoxies do.
To seal the live edge completely with a two-part epoxy, you need to mix both parts together in equal amounts and then apply them with a brush or roller on top of your entire surface area before pouring the resin into an empty container that has been prepared beforehand by drilling holes in its bottom so gravity will work against it (otherwise if there are no holes drilled into your container’s bottom then when you pour resin into it there could be pockets forming).