If you’ve ever built something out of resin, you know that it can be difficult to attach two pieces without some kind of adhesive.
The most popular way to do this is with epoxy, which is a kind of glue made by mixing certain chemicals together. But what exactly is epoxy? And how does it work?
Epoxy, at its most basic level, is a reaction between resins and hardeners. When mixed together in equal parts, these two separate substances chemically change into another substance entirely—a hard plastic-like material that’s virtually impossible to break apart once cured.
This material has a few properties that make it ideal for holding things together: It’s strong (not easily broken), flexible (doesn’t snap off), waterproof (doesn’t need weather protection), durable (doesn’t rot or become damaged over time) and heat resistant (won’t melt at high temperatures).
How do you glue two pieces of resin together?
Epoxy is likely your best bet for gluing resin to itself. Epoxy will bond component parts by soaking into the pores at a molecular level, creating a strong composite material out of the original components.
This can be used to repair broken resin sculptures or jewelry and prevent further damage from occurring along a stress fracture or weak point.
It also allows you to create larger pieces of artwork that could be cast in one piece due to size limitations for casting molds.
An alternative to epoxy is gorilla glue, which can also handle being submerged in water without losing its strength (unlike normal super glue).
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How do you stick two resin pieces together?
The first thing to consider is that almost all resin has a smooth surface. Most glues work by creating a chemical reaction between the two surfaces, because of this you’re likely to have problems with resin and glue adhesion unless you use an epoxy or a superglue.
If you’re trying to stick two flat, painted pieces together (like in the photo I posted above) I’d recommend using an epoxy since it will give you more time to position your pieces properly.
The small downside is that epoxies are usually a little bit more expensive than superglues. You can get a good quality small tube from your local hardware store for about $5 US.
It’s also water permeable, so if you accidentally get some on the paint it’s easy to clean off with warm water and an old toothbrush.
If you’re trying to stick two pieces together where they don’t line up perfectly like in the picture below, use superglue instead. Superglue works by evaporating quickly into the air and fusing itself onto whatever it is touching as it goes through this transition phase.
Because of this, it tends to create less mangling around the edge than other kinds of glues do, making it easier for sculptors who might be joining irregular surfaces together in their work.
How do you stick resin to resin?
To stick two pieces of resin together, you should first sand down the surfaces you want to glue. This is because resin has a slick surface that can make it difficult for glue to adhere well.
Once you’ve roughed up both surfaces, apply the glue to one or both of them (according to the instructions on your adhesive).
Then press the pieces together firmly and hold them in place for a few minutes so the glue has time to set. Wipe away any excess glue carefully, particularly if it’s a fast-drying superglue.
Can you glue resin together?
Resin does not inherently stick to other materials, so you need a separate adhesive for this. Fortunately, plenty of different adhesives can be used with resin—as long as it’s a solvent-based glue. Let’s take a look at the best types of glues for each material!
Can you glue on epoxy resin?
You can’t glue things together using epoxy; rather, it’s used to coat the surface of materials you want to seal. Epoxy resin is a two-part product composed of a base and a hardener. It’s meant to be mixed together in equal parts and then applied with a brush or roller.
Because epoxy resin creates a waterproof barrier, it’s often used on kitchen countertops, wooden tabletops, and floors.
On the other hand, resin is also used for sealing surfaces but has an entirely different composition from epoxy. It’s made from polyester resin and occurs as either liquid or gel.
Resin must be heated or “cured” before you can use it: There are two curing methods–the first involves exposing the resin to ultraviolet (UV) light for at least 30 minutes, while the second requires mixing small amounts of peroxide into the liquid form of resin so that it cures without any exposure to UV light!
How do you glue mini resin?
- Glue gun:
- Make sure both surfaces are clean and dry.
- Apply a thin layer of glue to one side, and then the other, making sure to leave no gaps that might later tug the piece apart.
- Wait 15-30 seconds for the two pieces to bond together and then press firmly using a clamp or something heavy like a book (you can also use your fingers as long as you don’t hold it too long).
- Let it sit for 24 hours before using (the longer the better) and let gravity do its thing!
- Superglue: Superglue is best for small, detailed pieces that will be held together at an angle or need more flexibility than what hot glue can offer! Because super glue dries clear, it’s perfect if you want the seam between the two pieces to be invisible or hard to see!
- Clean & dry both surfaces thoroughly; apply super glue to one side of your piece in an even layer; apply super glue on top of that in a crisscross pattern; wait 30 seconds for the glue to set up and then place your second piece on top of it; hold until secure and let sit for 24 hours before using (the longer the better)
Does Gorilla glue work on resin?
No, Gorilla glue is not suitable for use with resin. There are many other adhesives that can be used like super glue and epoxy resin.
If you are using a 2 part epoxy resin then there will usually be an adhesive included in the package. Most adhesives will work on resin, but it is worth checking which brand of adhesive you have and whether it is suitable for your project.
What glue fixes resin?
This depends on what kind of resin you’re using and what you intend to do with it. Most resins are actually just plastic, which means they can be glued together in the same way other plastics are glued.
You’ll want to use a solvent-based adhesive if at all possible, as those are the strongest adhesives for most plastics.
Acrylic models like enamel paints, styrene (plastic) cement, and epoxies often work well for plastic gluing projects.
But there are many other options out there as well. PVC cement is stronger than acrylic solvent glue because it melts the plastic surfaces together rather than bonding them mechanically—an important distinction when considering how much stress your model will undergo during regular handling or gameplay.
Other plastic cement-like cyanoacrylate adhesives (super glue), silicone glue and even hot glue can also bond resins together quite effectively.
There’s even a product called Gorilla Glue that uses a moisture-activated polymerization process to form an incredibly strong bond between two materials!
Conclusion
At this point, you (hopefully) have a decent grasp of the different ways to attach two pieces of resin together. Depending on your purpose, you’ll want to choose a method that allows for more strength or flexibility.
Epoxy and super glue are the strongest while hot glue is the most flexible. If you’re looking for something in between, then two-part epoxy might be proper for you.
As always with these topics, practice makes perfect.
