UV Resin Tutorial
We absolutely love bringing you new products and are so excited about this one! UV Resin is a uniquely versatile type of epoxy and we can’t wait for you to learn all about it. Karen Horvath of MG Creations by Karen is giving you all the information in this UV resin tutorial!
If you are looking for a resin for your small projects that has a super fast (we are talking mere minutes) cure time, UV resin is for you! In the UV Resin tutorial below, Karen explains how to use this epoxy and what projects it is perfect for. She also shows us how to make a badge reel, a keychain, and a magnet using the UV resin.
Karen also answers a lot of the questions you may have about this epoxy. So if you are new to UV Resin, this is the perfect place for you to start! If you are excited to try making the creations that Karen makes in the video, we have also put together the supply list and recipes for you. You’ll be all set to dive right into using your UV Resin!
UV Resin Tutorial
So, the first thing we should cover is what UV Resin is. It’s a type of resin that normally cures in 2-5 minutes! It needs UV rays to cure so, while you could use the rays of the sun, it is normally used with a UV lamp. Unlike most resins, this one does not need to be mixed! It is ready to go as soon as you open the bottle. Just squirt it where you need it and you’re all set.
A few things you should know…
Here are a few things you should keep in mind while working with UV Resin. Since it cures with UV, try to avoid working close to windows since the sun will cause your resin to cure more quickly. There is a short work time with this epoxy so just be careful with the sun.
Also, be sure to work in thin layers of about 1/8″ or so. Then let the resin cure under the lamp between each layer. The thicker they layer, the longer it will take to cure. Start with 2 minutes under them lamp and then go from there. That makes this resin perfect for your small projects.
You can absolutely add colorant and/or glitter to this resin. It will just add to the cure time and will need to stay under the UV lamp a bit longer than if you just used it by itself. You’ll still be amazed at how quickly it cures though! This resin is tacky while it is curing so resist the urge to check it with your fingertips, you will leave fingerprints in your project if you do.
What UV Resin can be used for…
For the most part, think small when you are using this resin. Earrings, badge reels, keychains, and charms are all perfect projects for UV Resin. It is also great for fixing any little imperfections in your larger projects and can be used to easily add a doming layer to projects like coasters.
You can also use UV Resin as an adhesive! It’s stronger than any glue you can fine. Use it to add magnets to the back of a phone grip to use it as a magnet instead or attach to attach your art to a phone grip base. Add jewels to your badge reels and use it to attach your jewelry hardware. Once you’ve attached your items, just put them under the lamp like you normally would and your pieces won’t be going anywhere!
UV Resin Tutorial
Materials
- UV Resin/Lamp Bundle
- Sterling Snow glitter
- Treasure glitter
- Large Silicone Mixing Sticks
- Silicone mat
- Acrylic blanks Karen used one circle and one circle with a bow on top
- Sanding block
- Oracle 651 vinyl
- Transfer tape
- Clear badge reel
- Small jewel that will fit the snap of the badge reel
- Keychain hardware and tassel
- medicine cups
- protective gloves
- Heat gun
Instructions
- Start by carefully removing the front covers from your acrylic blanks but leave the back cover on in order to protect your project. Then use the sanding block to gently rough up the surface of your blanks.
- Next, scoop a tiny bit of Sterling Snow into a medicine cup and then squirt a small amount of UV Resin into the cup. Mix well and then apply a thin layer to your circular blank. Then allow the project to sit for a few minutes to level.
- While the that blank is sitting, repeat the same mixing process with the Treasure and apply a thin layer to the other blank. Allow it to sit for a few minutes too.
- Use the heat gun to pop any bubbles that may have risen to the surface. You can also squirt it with alcohol to pop any bubbles. Then place your projects under the UV Lamp to cure.
- After a 1-3 minutes, the resin will have cured. Apply the vinyl decals to your projects.
- Then squirt a small amount of UV Resin to the surface of your projects and then use the silicone stick to smooth it over the whole surface. Again, let them sit and then use heat to pop any bubbles.
- Use the UV Resin to adhere the jewel to the snap on the badge reel. Then place all of your pieces under the UV Lamp.
- Next, use a few drops of the UV Resin to secure the circular blank to the badge reel then place it back under the lamp.
- Finally, attach your keychain hardware and tassel to your other blank.
The Wrap Up…
We hope you’re as excited about our UV Resin as we are! There are so many fun things that you can do with it and you can do them so quickly. When you are ready to give it a try, you can snag the resin and lamp individually or you can get them together in the UV Resin Bundle. A big thank you to Karen for sharing her skills and knowledge with all of us! You can find Karen on Facebook and Instagram. And you can find more awesome video tutorials like this one on our YouTube channel!
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