Working with ArtResin is easy.
Measure, mix, pour, wait, and get rewarded with a stunning, hard, glass-like finish to your work.
💡 Read how to correctly measure, pour & mix resin!
Once in a while, you may find that your resin isn’t as solid as you had planned. In fact, the resin bends.
Why does resin bend and what can I do about it?
Let’s talk about the WHY. There are several reasons and factors why resin can bend.
1. Short Cure Time
In most cases, the reason you have resin that bends is due to the fact that the resin needs more time to cure. After 24 hours, ArtResin will be at a 95% solidity rate. If you attempt to curve or move the resin before that 24 hour mark, the resin will likely bend. For a full cure, we recommend waiting 3 - 5 days to ensure that the resin is 100% firm.
Read how to make resin cure faster.
2. Thin Pour
Many artist creations require a thin layer of resin. Although ArtResin cures on thin pours, expect your resin to be bendy if it is not thicker than ⅓ of an inch.
3. Inaccurate Measuring
ArtResin is a simple 1:1 mixing ratio by volume, not weight. This delicate balance is imperative to a successful pour. Adding too much of either resin or hardener will alter the chemical reaction and the mixture will not cure properly due to inaccurate mixing ratios. Although the mixture may turn from a liquid to a solid, the end result causes the resin to bend.
4. Not Thoroughly Mixed
It's important to mix both the resin and hardener thoroughly or it cannot catalyze properly. Your resin needs to be mixed fully for at least 3 minutes. Improperly mixed resin could again turn the mixture into a solid but it won’t be 100% thoroughly cured, leading to bendy resin.
5. Too Much Colorant
Adding too much of a liquid or powdered colorant and pigment can also throw off the resin mixture’s delicate balance. Tinting resin can have a beautiful effect but any more than 6% of the total combined volume of the resin mixture could soften the resin’s final cure.
Now, how can you fix bendy resin?
The good news is that this could be a very easy fix; it just requires patience. Let the resin sit for another 2 to 7 days to allow it to fully cure. Allowing the resin to cure a while longer will harden up your piece and prevent the resin from bending.
If your piece is thin, a slight bend may be inevitable as the recommended thickness is ⅓ of an inch or more. However, using a substrate such as a bezel or a canvas to reinforce the strength of the resin is always a great option.
In the case of inaccurate measuring and mixing of resin or colorants, unfortunately the resin may not cure any harder. One possible solution though is to carefully measure and mix another batch of ArtResin to pour on the bendy piece to add strength and support.
So fear not! ArtResin Epoxy Resin Products are very forgiving. There is always a reason, and in most cases, a solution. In fact, many artists use the 24 hour cure time to their advantage in order to shape and mold their resin mixtures into a unique design before it fully hardens. Bendy resin can have its advantages.
So looking forward, here is a cheat sheet of things to remember in order to prevent bendy resin from happening again.
6 Steps to Prevent Bendy Resin
Our instructions:
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Be sure to measure the correct amount of resin and hardener.
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Mix thoroughly for at least 3 minutes.
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Pour in layers of ⅓ of an inch or more.
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Use a substrate for thin pours.
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Be sure to keep the amount of colorants and pigments added under 6% of the total combined volume of the resin mixture.
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Allow your art piece to fully cure (at least 3 - 5 days).
And that’s it! Feel free to check out this video and this video that highlight ways in which you can bend and shape resin while still achieving a hard finish. If you have any questions about the recommended solutions to fix any mistake with bendy resins, let us know in the comments. As always, be creative and have fun!
Do you want to learn more about troubleshooting epoxy resin? Read our blogs below:
- ArtResin’s Troubleshooting Guide
- Tips To Prevent Bubbles
- Can I Fix Small Imperfections In My Resin?
- Is It Possible To Overstir My ArtResin?
- How Do I Remove Epoxy Resin Drips?
- Is It Possible To Over Torch My ArtResin?
- My Epoxy Resin Is Not Hardening
- How To Fix Soft, Sticky Spots In My Resin
- How Can I Avoid Getting Dimples In My Epoxy Resin?
- How To Reduce Dust Before You Resin
- How Can I Get Rid Of Bubbles In My Cured Resin?
- How Can I Fix Dust In My Epoxy Resin?
- How Can I Deal With Epoxy Resin Drips After They've Dried?
- What Happens If I Over Torch Resin?
- Why Does My Resin Look Milky?
- Why Is My Epoxy Resin Still Sticky?
- Why Are There Bare Spots In My Cured Resin?
- What Does Silicone Do To Resin?
ArtResin: The Original Epoxy For Resin Art.
