People new to the resin world are often confused about certain terms and concepts related to resin. One of the questions I am asked most frequently by people who don’t know much about resin is “What is the difference between epoxy and resin?”
After reading this post, you will understand what constitutes this question as well as learn about the differences between resin and epoxy.
Which is better resin or epoxy?
Resin vs epoxy is a common question among DIYers and homeowners. You can use both materials to build furniture, cabinets, and moldings for your home.
However, each material has different qualities that make it more suited to certain projects than others.
We’ll examine these differences in this article on resin vs epoxy.
Table of Contents
Is resin different from epoxy?
Resin and epoxy are both polymers, but epoxy is the polymer only and resin is a mixture of the polymer and hardener. Some people think that resin is just another name for epoxy.
This isn’t true though, because they are two different substances with different properties.
Epoxy has been around since the early 1930s as a two-part system: one part contains an amine catalyst that activates when mixed with an organoamine hardener (the second part).
It can be used in many applications such as marine coating systems, potting compounds, adhesives, and sealants among others due to its excellent electrical properties
Is resin always epoxy?
While epoxy is technically a resin, it’s not the same thing as just any kind of resin. Epoxy isn’t the only type of resin out there—there are many different kinds of resins, including polyester and polyurethane.
In some cases, you may hear people refer to polyurethane as “epoxy” when they mean it in an informal way. The term “epoxy” is also used sometimes informally to refer to any generic kind of hard plastic or fiberglass resin composite material.
In these cases, though, it’s important to remember that these materials aren’t always made using epoxies; for example, some plastics like PVC (polyvinyl chloride) aren’t made with epoxies at all!
Can epoxy be used as resin?
It depends on what you mean by epoxy.
If you’re talking about a two-part epoxy like Devcon or JB Weld, it’s pretty much impossible to use the resin part of the mix as resin because it isn’t strong enough.
The resin in Devcon is meant to be mixed with hardener and used as-is. If you tried cutting out a piece of cured Devcon and sanding it, your results would not be pretty!
On the other hand, if you’re referring to an epoxy putty (like Evercoat’s Vinylux), then yes—you can use this product as both the adhesive and filler for composite materials like fiberglass or carbon fiber composites.
What is the best resin for molds?
If you’re looking for a resin that’s going to work best for your molds, then you should use a two-part epoxy. This type of resin comes in two components: one part hardener and one part resin.
The hardener is liquid and has an indefinite shelf life, while the resin is solid and can be stored for up to three years. You’ll want to keep both parts in their own containers until you’re ready to use them together, otherwise, they’ll bond with each other prematurely and become unusable!
It’s important that you follow the instructions on whatever product you select because they can vary depending on what kind of project they’re intended for (mold making vs jewelry making). Here are some tips:
- Make sure there are no bubbles left inside your mold after pouring out your mixture. Bubbles will distort images when casting objects made in them—or worse yet—make it impossible at all!
- If possible try not using any tools when making molds as this could scratch off some details which would otherwise appear perfectly clear once removed from its shell after curing completely within 24 hours or so depending on conditions such as temperature or humidity levels.
What is the best resin to use for art?
Resin is the more expensive option for art and crafts. It has better properties for making art, but it’s also more toxic to work with.
Resin
- Resin dries slower than epoxy, which means you have more time to get your design just right. It also gives you a chance to correct mistakes before they’re permanent (like forgetting to sand your piece before painting it).
- Epoxy is more flexible than resin when cured, so if you’re going for something that will bend or move in some way (like jewelry), then epoxy may be better suited for your project. This flexibility makes it great for sculptural pieces or anything that needs a bendy hinge or joint like jewelry or even furniture!
Can you use resin on tumblers?
Yes, you can use resin on tumblers. It’s a great material to use if you want to add a touch of color to your glass or give it an interesting texture.
Can I mix glitter in resin?
You can mix glitter into resin in a variety of ways:
- Mix the glitter with your resin before you pour it into the mold. You could do this by adding the powder to your liquid resin and mixing them together, or by putting it in an old pantyhose leg (the kind you’d use for making a jellyfish centerpiece) and pouring the liquid resin through that. The more you stir, shake, or roll around your mixture to get a good mix, the better it will be.
- Once you have poured enough of your clear epoxy/resin mixture into each mold to fill them all up—or as much as possible without overflowing—add some additional colorant if desired. This could be any kind of dye or pigment (like metallic powder), but we recommend using regular old craft glitter instead because it’s easier! Then just let it sit until dry before removing from molding surface and handling with care so as not to scratch off any tacky residue leftover from handling molds during the assembly process.”
Conclusion
Resin and epoxy can really be seen as one and the same. Epoxy is a special type of resin, but both are generally made from the same compounds and can be used interchangeably.
If you’re looking for a general use resin to make molds or pour over artwork, then epoxy will work great!
