Thread: Hints on casting resins?

While I haven't done a lot of resin casting, the ones I have done have worked out well. For starters i use the Environmental Technology Resin Molds (I can't figure out how to link but if you put that into a search engine that company should come up, they are an American group). To mix them up I:
1. Measure out enough resin for the whole pen, add MEKP and mix thoroughly.
2. Pour out about 1/3 into a separate container.
3. I add a solid colour powder pigment to the large quantity and mix in throughly, then pour this into the mold.
4. I then use the pearl luster pigment in the smaller quantity and mix in.
5. Pour the pearl in to the mold (with the other colour already in it) and mix around with something thin like a opened out paper clip.
6. I then keep returning to the mold every twenty minutes or so and stir with the paper clip until the resin starts to thicken. When it has started to thicken I leave it for a couple of days before removing.
Basically you need to experiment and find out what works for you. The pigments that I use I purchased from an art supplies store and are used by painters to mix up their own paints and were dreadfully expensive. The pearl luster powder i used cost about $50 (AUD) for about 50grams so you will be able to add more than me!
Cheers
Josh

I agree with Josh: if you want to persist in using the resin you've got, you 'll have to do some experimenting.

Try making two or three batches of different colours and leave them 'til they start to thicken up, but before they gel. Then do a pour into a fresh mould and lightly add swirls with a stick or whatever.

The timing is pretty critical... the resin would need to be thin enough to still be workable, while being thick enough to prevent settling of the oxides and yet not so thick that it's "lumping."

Good luck, hope you don't waste to much in getting it right.

Originally Posted by Skew ChiDAMN!!

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The timing is pretty critical... the resin would need to be thin enough to still be workable, while being thick enough to prevent settling of the oxides and yet not so thick that it's "lumping."

Good luck, hope you don't waste to much in getting it right.

Thanks Skew , Josh ..
I think you've pointed out the main flaw in my 'technique'
(I don't have one, but it sounds cool to say I have a 'technique' )

I wasn't waiting long enough before pouring , and I was afraid of stirring
too much, lest I lose that pearl/swirl effect. That gave the pigments time
to settle to the bottom before the resin started to 'set-up' I think..

I'll be trying this again, with the wait this time.

Has anyone tried other additives to the resin? My dad used to have a little business in the garage making trophy bases and other assorted things out of styrene poured into molds. He used to go through a lot of powdered marble, which made the synthetic marble look very realistic. But that was cured with MEK and cobalt. Don't know if anything like that would work here. (But I'll try, and post results anyway) Just wondered if anyone else
has tried.

Thanks again, folks. I'm glad this forum is here

Environmental Technology

Originally Posted by Pat

Environmental Technology

Hmm... granite powders ...