How do you keep clear resin from turning yellow?

You have a crjewelryeautiful piece of jewellery with transparent resin, but you’re worried that it might turn yellow over time.

How can you prevent that? This is a question I’m asked a lot by people who are starting out in resin jewelry making, so I’ll answer it here in detail.

Here’s everything you need to know about keeping your clear epoxy from turning yellow and looking like old cheese:

How do you keep transparent resin from turning yellow?

  • Wash your hands, the resin container, and all tools with soap and warm water before you begin. A clean workspace is a great way to start.
  • Cure the resin under UV light to clear it as soon as possible after pouring.

Does transparent resin yellow?

The answer is yes and no. It depends on what type of resin you’re using and whether or not you use a UV light when curing it.

  • If the clear resin you’re using has a blue colorant in it, then no matter what, it’ll turn yellow over time. This is because the yellowing occurs as a result of exposure to sunlight (both natural sunlight and artificial UV lights).

How do you clean transparent resin?

  • Use a toothbrush and soap.
  • Use a toothbrush and baking soda.
  • Use a toothbrush and vinegar.
  • Use a toothbrush and lemon juice.
  • Use a toothbrush and hydrogen peroxide (3% solution).
  • Use a toothbrush and rubbing alcohol (isopropyl or 70% solution).
  • You can also use: water, salt, baking powder or baking soda, and dishwashing liquid with bleach added (1 part bleach to 4 parts dishwashing liquid)

Can you print clear resin?

can you print clear resin

 

Yes, you can print with clear resin.

There are three main types of 3D printers that can be used to print in clear resin: SLA printers, DLP printers, and resin printers. Each type has its own pros and cons but they all work similarly enough to be explained in one article!

What resin does not turn yellow?

You can prevent yellowing in resins that have a low viscosity and are exposed to UV light. This includes polyester, epoxy, and polyurethane resins.

Polyester resin is a common clear resin with good clarity and impact strength that doesn’t yellow when exposed to direct sunlight; however, it will yellow over time in indirect sunlight (think of the sun through clouds).

Epoxy resin is another common clear resin with good clarity, but it’s more expensive than polyester resins and also yellowed when exposed to direct sunlight (and indirect).

Polyurethane is another type of clear resin that doesn’t turn yellow when exposed directly or indirectly

Why is my epoxy turning yellow?

epoxy turning yellow

If your epoxy is turning yellow, it’s not because of the resin. If it were, the whole batch would be affected, and that’s not usually the case. Here are some of the most common reasons why epoxies turn yellow:

  • Your vinyl has a UV inhibitor in it, so when exposed to sunlight or even fluorescent bulbs (which emit UV radiation), your resin will turn yellow over time as a result of this pigment. If you see this happening in just one area of your project, then it may be that only that particular piece was laminated with a vinyl-containing inhibitor. In most cases though, if there’s anything at all on hand that can prevent this from happening then use it!
  • You used a base coat for your project rather than just dipping into a clear coat or brushing on clear paint alone because… well… why would you do that? Anyway – back up! You’ve got yourself an entire “tinting” issue going here which can easily be solved by switching out colors again to something more appropriate like black instead of blue or red instead of orange etcetera…

How long before resin turns yellow?

How long before resin turns yellow

It depends on a few things:

  • The resin itself. Some resins are more yellowing than others. If you’re using a particularly yellowing resin, it will probably turn a more golden color faster than other types of resin would.
  • The cure time and temperature of your curing process. If you’re using an oven or heat gun to cure your resin, the higher the temperature and longer the exposure time (i.e., how long it takes to get from room temperature to full cure), the greater chance that any impurities in your clear resin will start reacting with one another as they come together during the thermal bonding process, which can result in discoloration over time (this also applies when drying out too slowly). This is why it’s so important to use quality materials when making jewelry pieces!
  • Whether or not there are any impurities present inside your mix before its cured state comes about; if so then this would mean that these particles will actually cause direct damage to them once they reach their hardened state through thermal bonding processes during curing times for example when using an oven or heat gun technique methodologies like those listed above.”

How do you polish resin by hand?

  • Use microfiber cloths. Microfiber cloths are very effective at removing fingerprints and dust from resin, particularly if they’re dampened with water first.
  • Use polishing compounds. Compounds are used to help remove stubborn dirt or stains from resin items that have been stained by food or drink spills in the past, as well as other substances such as ink and grease. They can be applied using a buffing wheel on your electric drill if you want to go all out; otherwise, it can also work well with a soft rag or cloth by hand (but make sure not to get any residue on any part of your body).
  • Use buffing pads when needed for hard-to-remove stains like lipstick marks or grease stains from cooking utensils like spatulas (they won’t work for everything). These can be found at most hardware stores such as Home Depot—they look like dish scrubbers with loops of metal wire sticking out between each loop instead of foam padding—and sometimes come included with kits sold specifically targeted toward cleaning up after working with acrylic paints so keep an eye out!

Conclusion

In conclusion, keeping transparent resin from yellowing is a bit of a balancing act. If you want to maintain the integrity of your work and prevent it from becoming discolored over time, then follow these simple tips: don’t let your resin sit for too long in direct sunlight or leave it out in extreme temperatures (like heat/cold).

Photo of author

Martin Flood

Martin Flood has been working in the construction industry for over 20 years as a general contractor with expertise in remodeling projects that are large or small. He has furthered his career by specializing in epoxy resin flooring, providing excellent service to both commercial and residential clients. Martin’s experience enables him to offer professional advice on how to choose the right type of project based on your needs and budget.

Leave a Comment