Epoxy is a great material for DIY projects because it can be used to create so many different things. It’s also really durable, which means that once you paint it and seal it, your project will last a long time.
The only problem is that unpainted epoxy isn’t black by default – but don’t worry! There are 5 easy ways to dye unpainted epoxy black without damaging the surface.
What Can I Use To Dye Epoxy?
There are many ways to dye epoxy, but the most common two substances used are black paint and dark stain.
Paint is often easier because it’s a solid color that will cover your surface evenly if you apply enough coats.
A downside of using paint, though, is that it may rub off on anything else you touch while it dries or after it sets completely, so be sure to avoid touching the area until then!
Stain can give slightly more variety in colors since the material inside varies depending on what type of wood was used when making the container.
However, stains can react differently with different surfaces as well as require multiple coats before they’re fully applied.
Table of Contents
- What Can I Use To Dye Epoxy?
- Can I Use Food Coloring In Epoxy Resin?
- How Much Black Pigment Do You Add To Epoxy?
- Can You Use Nail Polish To Color Epoxy Resin?
- Can I Mix Acrylic Paint With Epoxy Resin?
- What Is The Best Way To Color Resin?
- Can You Color Resin With Alcohol Ink?
- Can You Mix Latex Paint With Epoxy?
- Can You Add Too Much Pigment To Epoxy?
- How Do You Dye Clear Epoxy?
- Can I add pigment to epoxy?
Can I Use Food Coloring In Epoxy Resin?
Food coloring is not recommended for use in epoxy resin because it can cause the material to become brittle and peel off.
The color will also be altered, which may result in a surface that’s more pink than black or brown.
While food coloring isn’t ideal, using anything safe for consumption (like beet juice) should work just as well without altering properties of the product.
If you’re looking for a quick fix, rubbing alcohol does an excellent job at turning unpainted epoxy into jet black! But if you want something long-lasting and aesthetically pleasing with no risk of hurting your project, these are ways to dye your unpainted surfaces while avoiding any negative side effects:
Use paint – The easiest way by far is to just buy some paint and start painting. If you want something fast, using a temporary solution like rubbing alcohol will work if you’re in a rush – but it’s not recommended for any long-term projects or as an alternative to other methods.
Use stain – Wood stains are the most popular way people dye unpainted epoxy because there are many different colors available depending on what type of wood was used when producing the resin. The downside here is that they can be tricky to apply evenly over large surfaces without getting too much color where you don’t want it (especially since these usually require multiple coats).
How Much Black Pigment Do You Add To Epoxy?
For every quart of epoxy resin, use about one ounce (or 29.57 grams) of black pigment powder to dye the surface completely.
If you want a lighter or more natural-looking color, add less than that amount; for darker colors, increase this measurement! But if you go too far and end up with something so dark it’s unusable, don’t worry: just mix in some white paint until it becomes the desired shade.
How much should I spend on supplies?
The actual cost depends largely on how many projects you’re going to be working on – but using these methods will save money over painting with paint alone because stains can be expensive and require multiple coats before they take full effect while using food coloring can sometimes be expensive or difficult to find.
And since you’re just using a few drops of dye with each coat, the 29.57 grams for one batch will last you forever!
Can You Use Nail Polish To Color Epoxy Resin?
Nail polish is not recommended for use in epoxy resin because the components are made from chemicals that can react with the other ingredients and cause a surface to become brittle or peel away.
Stains like black walnut, ebony, and dark mahogany will give you more variety without risking your project’s quality! And if you’re looking for something quick-and-easy: rubbing alcohol does an excellent job at turning unpainted epoxy into jet black – but it’s not recommended as a long-term solution due to its potential side effects.
If you want a fast fix on projects where there isn’t much time (like Halloween costumes), using nail polish may work just fine; however, be careful when going over large.
Can I Mix Acrylic Paint With Epoxy Resin?
The acrylic paint will react with the epoxy resin and cause it to become brittle or peel away. The color of your finished product may also be changed, which could result in a surface that’s more pink than black. If you’re looking for something quick-and-easy, this option might work just fine, however, if you want an aesthetic solution without risk of damaging any project surfaces long term: try using stains instead!
What Is The Best Way To Color Resin?
The best way to dye resin is by using black or dark walnut stains. These are made for wood, so they will give you the most variety without risking your project’s quality!
If you want something quick-and-easy though: rubbing alcohol does an excellent job at turning unpainted epoxy into jet black – but it’s not recommended as a long-term solution due to its potential side effects.
The 29 grams of pigment powder in one batch last forever and cost less than other options like paint or food coloring (which can be expensive).
Can You Color Resin With Alcohol Ink?
No, alcohol inks are not recommended for use with epoxy resin. The ingredients in the ink can react with other components and cause a surface to become brittle or peel away. If you’re looking for something quick-and-easy though: using nail polish may work just fine; however, be careful when going over large projects because it is only temporary!
Can You Mix Latex Paint With Epoxy?
Latex paint will react with the epoxy resin and cause it to become brittle or peel away. The color of your finished product may also be changed, which could result in a surface that’s more pink than black.
If you’re looking for something quick-and-easy though: this option might work just fine; however, if you want an aesthetic solution without the risk of damaging any project surfaces long term: try using stains instead!
Can You Add Too Much Pigment To Epoxy?
If you add too much pigment to epoxy, it will become very thick and change the surface of any project where it’s applied. If that happens: try adding some acetone or denatured alcohol – both are safe for use with resin!
How Do You Dye Clear Epoxy?
To dye clear epoxy, you need to use an inkjet printer with a black pen or fabric paint. The directions for using the two are as follows:
Inkjet Printer Mix 30% of your colorant (pigment powder) and 70% isopropyl alcohol together in a plastic container. Add inks to make streaks along the surface and leave it overnight before applying them onto any project surfaces.
Fabric Paint- Apply an even coat of resin to one side of your material and then gently shake on pigment until the desired amount has been added. Remove excess pigment by putting it through a warm water bath.
Can I add pigment to epoxy?
Yes, but you should be careful with the amount of pigment that is added. Too much pigment can cause the epoxy to become very thick and change any project surfaces where it’s applied. If this happens: try adding some acetone or denatured alcohol – both are safe for use with resin!