Mixing epoxy resin properly is not difficult, but you should proceed according to plan. Simply mixing by feeling usually goes wrong. So read the instructions and, more importantly, have all the necessary protective measures to hand in advance.
Table of Contents
What is epoxy resin?
Epoxy resin is colorless and transparent. It is ideal for decorative purposes, especially when designing pieces of furniture and other items in the home.
Counters and tables are also often coated with the synthetic resin, which is also known under the name resin. It is also often used for repairs or for handicrafts.
If you want the resin to be more than transparent, manufacturers offer paints in powder form or as a paste for admixture. But you can use other colors just as well.
It is important that you mix the epoxy correctly, making sure that this resin is toxic.
Mix epoxy resin correctly: resin and hardener
Mix epoxy resin correctly – follow the instructions, it says the mixing ratio.
Very important: Before you mix the amount of epoxy resin you need, arm yourself with gloves, protective goggles, a protective mask and a measuring cup, which you also use as a mixing vessel, and a stirring rod.
For larger amounts of Epoxy Resin – e.g. for a table – it is sufficient to measure the resin and hardener by volume. So you only need a measuring cup. With smaller quantities, e.g. for small handicrafts , you need more accuracy. That’s why a digital scale would also be important.
First mix the resin and hardener, then add the paint or color powder. When mixing resin and hardener, the mixing ratio is crucial. This is usually around 2: 1, i.e. two parts resin and one part hardener. But there are also manufacturers where the mixing ratio is 1: 1. So, before you start, see what information the manufacturer provides.
Another tip for the right mixing: Estimate as precisely as possible how much epoxy resin you need for your table, for example . Since this synthetic resin is quite expensive, it is even worthwhile in casting work to determine the exact volume in advance with the help of sand or similar.
Mix and color epoxy resin properly
Now mix the color into the epoxy resin that you have already mixed. The proportion of color added to the total mixture should be 5 to a maximum of 10 percent. You start with a small drop and mix well.
Orientate yourself on the fact that the coloring is homogeneous. Gradually add more color until the color intensity is what you want. Always stir well, there should be no streaks or lumps.
Epoxy paints from the manufacturer
The manufacturers’ color pastes are offered as RAL colors. There is also a large selection of colors , around 49 epoxy resin color pastes, a paste with metallic colors or separate pigments such as fluorescent colors. Whether one uses these offered products or opts for other options, the color should always be concentrated so that the curing of the resin is not affected.
Acrylic paint as an admixture
Acrylic paint can be mixed well with the synthetic resin. It consists of synthetic resin, pigments, water and additives for preservation. This addition of color creates a particularly even result.
After curing, the color usually becomes slightly matt due to the binding agent. Therefore, an acrylic paint should be chosen that is particularly fluid and was made with a colorless acrylic binder.
Ink for coloring
Usually water is used as the solvent for inks, rarely alcohol. Both types guarantee a particularly high level of pigmentation, and only a few drops are enough to color the epoxy resin.
The airbrush
Airbrush paints are almost always acrylic or water-based paints, both water-based. The fine structure of their pigments and their high flowability as spray paints are particularly suitable for mixing with epoxy resin. They offer extremely high luminosity and very fine pigmentation. However, they are usually significantly more expensive compared to conventional colors.
Water color
The miscibility of watercolor with resin is extremely good. A disadvantage is the weak pigmentation compared to inks and acrylic paints. Other colors are better suited for opaque coloring, but the transparency of the synthetic resin is usually retained with watercolors.
Dry pigment
Pigments are not necessarily dissolved in liquids. Chalk is delivered in a pressed block, pure pigment only as a powder. But these colors can also be mixed with epoxy resin if the low granularity is observed.
Because the ground chalk and the pure pigment do not completely dissolve in the finished mixture. You can use this for special effects, for example when you want to create structured color compositions. A grainy look in particular can be achieved convincingly with dry colored powder.
Oil paint is rather unsuitable
Oil paint is not particularly suitable for mixing with synthetic resin. The lipids contained do not get along well with the components of the epoxy resin, a uniform and stable combination of resin and color is not to be expected. Even after prolonged stirring, both components remain separate, smaller clumps of paint remain in the synthetic resin.
The composition of the colors varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. Different mixing ratios and material qualities are available as epoxy resin, which do not react uniformly to the addition of color. Other color applications are also known, some even swear by nail polish to color resin. And in general: There are no limits to the experiments and compositions.
