Jun 15th 2023
Epoxy Pro Guide - An Artisanal & DIY Essential
Learning from the Epoxy Pros…
Learning from the Epoxy Pros…
One of the things we most enjoy here at ProMarine Supplies is learning about all the innovative and “crafty” ways that people use epoxy resin to address their everyday tasks and explore their creativity. With each successive Success Story, Contest, Guide or Ambassadorship – we see and hear about intriguing projects and new ways that artisans and do-it-yourselfers are employing our polymers both for repairs and maintenance and the creation of artwork and crafts.
Using a creative approach – to both problem-solving – as well as satisfying your artistic muse, is one of the hallmarks of harnessing epoxy resin to your meet your goals. Creativity, is after all, employing out-of-the-box thinking to come up with a new approach to a solution – as succinctly stated below by Scott Adams and Steve Jobs:
“Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep.” ~ Scott Adams
“Creativity is just connecting things. When you ask creative people how they did something, they feel a little guilty because they didn’t really do it, they just saw something. It seemed obvious to them after a while. That’s because they were able to connect experiences they’ve had and synthesize new things.” ~ Steve Jobs
Epoxy Resin Versatility & Dependability
We are often asked, “What makes epoxy resin so special?” Well chemically it’s an excellent adhesive due to its bonding properties with so many surfaces including wood, metal, glass, ceramics, fiberglass and quite a few plastics. This versatility makes the polymer an oft reached for solution for so many tasks from performing practical repairs to building aesthetic art pieces.
DIY “taskers” find epoxy resin to be an indispensable tool for so many home and office repairs and maintenance tasks; while artists trust the polymer to coat, seal and protect their creations. Epoxy resin is far more than an adhesive and sealant - as it also is used as a filler and replacement material in many applications. Plus, entire objets d’art as well as many replacement parts may be cast from the polymer, making it a great solution for both crafting and repairs.
As an adhesive, epoxy resin creates a superior bond either between materials, or as a sealant and protectant for substrate materials to which it is applied. One of the telltale signs that an adhesive will provide a good bond on a surface is whether the material beads up on the surface or spreads well. Beading up indicates that the bonding agent is attracted to itself more than to the surface material. Spreading well onto, or easily wetting, the surface indicates good attraction between the two materials.
Other advantages of epoxy resins include the fact that they are self-curing – not needing anything other than their own two parts (epoxy and hardener) to set. Plus, they will cure in a variety of environments and settings – including variables in temperature and humidity (which will however affect working time before the curing process begins) – and they will even cure underwater.
Using Epoxy Resin Like A Pro
Epoxy Experiences - Ideas & Inspiration…
There are as many ways to use epoxy resin as there are individuals and their projects – each with their own creative and practical approach to reaching their goals. Epoxy resin, whether used as an instrumental home repair and maintenance tool, by designers and builders of marine craft such as boats and boards, or by artisans and crafters to create one-of-a-kind artwork and keepsakes for friends, family or entrepreneurial pursuits – this versatile polymer is up to the challenge.
Working with epoxy resin takes a bit of patience and practice at first, but once a bit of experience is gained, the rewards are worth the effort! And there are many avenues to explore to get advice and assistance online at your fingertips – including our website – where you’ll find FAQs, videos, instructions and more to get you on your way to Epoxy Pro status!
Here’s some ideas from a couple more online resources – The Family Handyman for their take on resin DIY projects, and My Modern Met for insight on artistic epoxy endeavors:
“What is epoxy? Epoxy has several advantages over other adhesives and fillers. It can fill gaps and still retain strength, it's waterproof, and it sticks well to most surfaces. Read the label to choose an epoxy that matches the repair you're attempting. Here are some useful tips to help out.” – from The Family Handyman
- Build & Waterproof Marine Craft - boat builders, surfboard makers and fabricators of all kinds use epoxy every day to form strong, waterproof, lightweight structures
- Repair Chipped Furniture - when it would be difficult or impossible to replace missing veneer or chipped furniture parts with real wood, epoxy putty makes a great substitute
- Fix Loose Joints - Epoxy is one of the few adhesives that can fill gaps without losing strength. That's why it's perfect for repairing loose-fitting joints in furniture
- General Epoxy Resin Tips include:
- ousing heat such as a hair dryer to speed up the curing process
- ospreading epoxy resin in a thin layer for longer working time – spreading out the heat slows down the curing process
- oepoxy resin can be sanded and painted – or in the case of furniture repair – colored with furniture markers
Additional epoxy resin household tips and tricks can be found in our blogs such as Addressing Common Household Repairs Using Epoxy Resin.
One of the Epoxy Pros we’ve featured in a recent post is Sydney-based artist Marie Antuanelle whose artistic inspiration is the untouched beauty of the ocean. She also uses her artwork to “spark conversations about the importance of marine conservation” by connecting people to the beauty of beaches and ocean reserves, as profiled on the aforementioned site My Modern Met.
Marie Antuanelle works on a piece of her epoxy resin ocean-themed art
My Modern Met is a great inspirational resource dedicated to creativity. Their mission is “to promote a positive culture by spotlighting the best sides of humanity—from the lighthearted and fun to the thought-provoking and enlightening.” The site features articles on art, design, photography, architecture, science, technology, environmental issues, and more.” Searching ‘epoxy resin’ on their site revealed creative craft ideas from artistic oceanscapes, to handcrafted tables, jewelry, and kitchen goods like cutting boards and bowls.
Discovering intriguing epoxy resin projects is an ongoing “treasure hunt!” We’re always exploring innovative new project ideas that integrate epoxy resin in ways that are both practical – and aesthetically pleasing. What’s Your Big Idea?