8 Things You Need to Know Before You Buy Epoxy Resin (Or Regret It Later)

Buying resin isn't exactly rocket science... unless you're using it to build a rocket, and we don't recommend that. But if you're a maker, a DIYer, or just someone who saw a shiny resin table on Pinterest and thought, "I could do that," there are a few things you really should know before clicking that add to cart button. 

Because not all epoxy is created equal. And the wrong choice could leave you with a gooey mess, a cloud of fumes (yikes), or worse - a ruined project you poured your soul and maybe your paycheck into. 

We've pulled together the most important things to consider before buying epoxy resin, based on thousands of customer questions, real-world resin fails, and our own experience helping creators do their thing with confidence. 

1. What Exactly Are You Making?

Not all resin is the same, and different projects may require a different application. If you're making a river table, you'll want to use a completely different type of resin than if you are creating ocean art on a canvas. There's a resin for everything project, but using the wrong one is like using a sledgehammer to hang a picture frame. Here's the breakdown: 

• Deep Pour Epoxy - river tables, floral encapsulations, and anything with a pour depth over 1.5". 
• Table Top Epoxy - surface coatings such as table tops, countertops, and small crafts like coasters or trinket trays. 
• UV Art Resin - any surface coating that you want added extra UV protection for such as tumblers, jewelry, ocean art, and wall art. 

2. What's the Cure Time, Working Time, and Mixing Ratio?

These are all common questions you should consider when choosing a resin. And it's dependent on your project type and experience level. A faster cure equals faster results, but sometimes a slower cure can often give you better clarity and fewer bubbles, and a 2:1 mixing ratio is entirely different than a 1:1 mixing ratio. 

If this information isn't already provided by your manufacturer ask! In doing so this will help you compare resin brands and determine which product would be most useful for your upcoming projects.

3. How Confident Are You In Your Skills?

Let's be honest - epoxy resin isn't exactly beginner-friendly. It's not like slapping on a coat of paint or hammering a few nails. There's actual chemistry involved. Ratios matter. Temperatures matter. It takes some practice to get used to it. 

If you're new to epoxy, the learning curve can be steep. A lot of DIY projects go sideways because someone eyeballed the mix, used the wrong tools, or didn't realize the clock was ticking on their pour window. 

That's not to say beginners can't create incredible things with epoxy resin - you absolutely can. But it's worth asking yourself: do you feel prepared? Have you done your research? Have you read the instructions, watched a tutorial or two, and practiced a small project before diving into something larger? Knowing your comfort level before you pour can save you a lot of heartache (and a lot of sticky messes). Because trust us, nothing kills your creative buzz like a ruined piece and wasted product. 

4. Will It Yellow Over Time? (Spoiler: It Will) 

All epoxy resin will yellow over time. Because of the chemical nature of epoxy resin, given enough time it will show signs of color change. You'll go from crystal clear to amber. For projects like jewelry, wall art, and anything associated with lighter colors UV resistance is your best friend. Especially if your piece is going to see sunlight. Or fluorescent light. Or, y'know...light. 

This is why we highly recommend making sure your epoxy has UV resistance. For even more UV resistance we recommend products like UV Art Resin. 

*Please note, even when using a UV resistant resin, ALL epoxy will yellowing given enough time. 

5. How Much Resin Do You Need?

One of the quickest ways to tank your project (and your mood) is by not having enough resin on hand - or way too much. Trust us, running out mid-pour is a nightmare. And overbuying? That's just money sitting in a jug. 

Before you mix anything, figure out exactly how much resin you need. No eyeballing. No mental math. No "this looks about right". Just plug your dimensions into our Epoxy Calculator. 

Whether you're coating a table, pouring a deep river,  preserving flowers, or more our calculator takes the guesswork out. You'll get a precise measurement instantly. 

6. Is It Safe To Use Resin Indoors? 

When working with resin it is extremely important to wear proper PPE and consider the environment you'll be working in. All resin has some level of toxicity to it. It is a chemical after all. That being said, there are a lot of ways to safely work with resin. 

• Make sure you are working in a very well ventilated environment, and if you're not, then be sure to wear a respirator designed for vapors. 
• Always wear nitrile gloves to protect your skin from direct contact with resin.
• Protect your eyes from splashes by wearing safety glasses. 

For more safety tips checkout our full guide. 

When shopping for epoxy be sure to look for low-odor or low-VOC formulas. 

7. Can You Add Colorants, Glitter, and Other Weird Stuff?

Short answer, yes! Long answer, it depends. It really comes down to what type of glitter and colorants you use, and how much you use. Our epoxy resin will work with alcohol inks, pigment dyes, mica powders, glitters, and other inclusions. But be sure to not use too much as it can cause cure inhibition. And that's the last thing anybody wants. When it doubt reach out to use to double check the compatibility. 

8. What's The Reputation of the Brand You're Buying From?

A $20 resin kit from a sketchy third-party seller might leave you with bubbles, quick yellowing, or worse. Stick with brands that actually answer their messages and leave you feeling good about your experience and the product you're getting. 

If you have any questions feel free to email us at support@promiseepoxy.com.

Epoxy is one of those things that can either make your project shine - or make you swear off DIY forever. The difference? Knowing what you're working with before you mix and pour. Ask questions. Read the specs. Know your cure times, pour depths, and working times. Because when you know better, you pour better. And we're here to help you nail it right away!