Are you a resin artist whose finished art is bending and curling up? You’re not alone! Many makers are facing the same issue, but have no idea why their artwork is not staying flat.
The resin art can bend because of its nature, wrong proportion of the hardener or colorant, usage of thin layer, excessive moisture, or low curing time. The best way to fix it is to follow the instruction in the manual and give enough curing time.
In this blog post, we’ll take a look at 5 common reasons why your resin art might be bendy – from the type of resin used to temperature fluctuations in the curing environment – plus 4 solutions that can help you fix it. So if you want to get your resin art back on track, read on!
5 Reasons For Resin Art To Turn Bendy
1. Nature of Resin
Resin is a type of liquid plastic that cures when it comes into contact with the air, causing it to become solid. The curing process is known as polymerization, during which the molecules of resin cross-link and form a network that makes it hard and sturdy.
However, because of the nature of this bonding process, the freshly cured resin can often be extremely rigid and brittle. This means that if too much pressure is applied to the artwork before complete curing has taken place, the structure may become slightly malleable or bendy.
Another possibility with the nature of resin is that it is too old or you’re unable to add thick layers because of its existing composition.
2. Low Curing Time
Many resin artworks are exposed to heat or additional light sources in order to speed up their curing time. While this can be beneficial in some cases, it can also lead to issues such as bending or warping if not monitored closely.
When exposed to heat or light for extended periods of time, the resin will cure faster than usual – however, because it hasn’t had enough time to fully harden, it may still remain somewhat soft and bendy for some time after being removed from its source of heat or light.
3. Wrong Proportion Of Colorant
Adding colorants such as pigments or dyes to resin can help create beautiful artwork with unique effects and finishes; however, getting the proportions wrong can cause problems such as bending or warping when left overnight.
The reason for this is that the pigments used in these colorants are usually heavier than regular resins, so adding too much can cause an imbalance in weight between one side of the artwork and another – resulting in uneven settling and eventually leading to bending over time.
The ideal proportion is 1:1, and the mixture quickly transforms into solid from liquid. When the hardener or colorant is added in an inappropriate proportion, it can bend the resin.
4. Excessive Moisture
If there is too much moisture present during a resin project, then it could also have an effect on how well it sets up when cured – resulting in bendy areas within an artwork due to an uneven distribution of moisture throughout the space.
This is especially true when working with large pieces where moisture tends to become trapped during curing due to inadequate ventilation – so if you’re working on larger projects, make sure your workspace is well-ventilated!
Note: This is a case with resin art not stored properly during the curing period. It can result in uneven curing or bending.
5. A Thin Layer Of Resin Is Poured
Applying thin layers of resin during a project can often lead to issues such as curling or warping when not done correctly. This can happen if you’re working urgently on a resin project.
After pouring a thin layer, you may leave it to dry. Once fully dry, they tend to pull away at all sides instead of laying flat against each other, which causes them to bend over time due to uneven tension points being created around different sections within your artwork’s surface area.
How to Fix Bendy Resin
1. Give 2-7 days to cure
When you pour resin, it needs time to properly cure and harden. This can take between two and seven days, depending on factors such as the thickness of the resin, humidity levels, and the amount of hardener used in the mixture. Make sure to give your resin enough time to set before attempting any repairs.
2. Decide on the right thickness to pour
To avoid having bendy resin, it is important that you pour out a layer of resin that is at least 1/3 inch thick or above. If you add too much in one go, it won’t be able to completely harden before becoming bendy or brittle.
For bigger projects like countertops or furniture pieces, make sure that you evenly spread out each layer of resin over several days so that each one has just enough time to set before moving on to the next layer.
3. Mix the mixture well and add the right proportion of hardener and resin
It is essential that the mix of resin and hardener is done correctly in order for it to properly cure with minimal bendiness or brittleness.
The exact ratio depends on what type of resin you are using but generally speaking, a 1:1 ratio (resin:hardener) should work well for most projects. Make sure to stir well and allow any air bubbles from mixing to dissipate before pouring into your molds or containers for curing.
4. Choose a quality resin
It’s important to use a high-quality epoxy resin for a successful project as this will help reduce the chances of your piece becoming bendy during curing time due to its higher viscosity and lower chance of shrinkage during curing than cheaper resins.
Also, make sure that all containers being used are completely clean with no traces of dust or dirt, as this could cause weak spots in your hardened piece, which can lead to bending later down the line when exposed to mechanical stress such as water pressure or weight from objects placed on top of them.
Some more tips to avoid bendy resin are:
- Making use of a substrate while pouring thin layers
- Ensure that the resin is left to cure at a temperature of 24-30 celsius.
- Don’t add over 6% of colorant.
FAQ
Resin still bendy after 24 hours
The resin is still bendy after 24 hours because it has not been given enough time to cure fully. Even when resin seems dry on the surface, it can still be flexible and soft underneath.
Depending on the type of resin being used, it typically takes up to 3-7 days before a project is ready for use with no flexibility or give at all.
Resin still bendy after 48 hours
While resin may appear to be fully cured after 48 hours, it actually needs 3-7 days, on the whole, to fully cure. The curing time depends on the thickness of the layer poured into the mold – if it’s too thin, it won’t properly harden at all.
To ensure that your resin will be properly cured, use measuring cups for accuracy when measuring out parts of both compounds, mix them together thoroughly and pour them slowly and steadily into a thick enough layer in the desired form.
More on Resin:
How To Make Resin Art with Dried Flowers
