Yes, you can apply a second coat of resin if you need to fix a mistake or a surface imperfection. You can also pour multiple layers if you need to cover areas of high relief, if you're pouring into a mold or if you simply like the look of a thicker coat.
It's important to remember that the ideal ArtResin pour is 1/8" or 3 mm. If you pour thicker than this, bubbles may not be able to escape and will end up curing in your resin. A better approach is to layer ArtResin in multiple coats: you can layer as many coats as you'd like, as long as you pour in 1/8" or 3 mm increments.
How To Apply A Second Coat Of Epoxy Resin:
Most people who do a second coat of epoxy are trying to fix a surface imperfection that happened in the first coat. For example, you may find bubbles, or hair or dust that landed while your piece was wet and cured into your resin.
1. Sand down cured epoxy with coarse grit sandpaper
If your previous mistake includes uncured resin, it's important to scrape off any sticky material as best you can and discard it. Next, sand down all the cured areas of your piece with coarse sandpaper (we use 80 grit sandpaper here at ArtResin). Sanding epoxy resin between coats will not only remove the imperfection, but will also provide some tooth for the second epoxy layer to adhere to.
It will look very scuffed in the short term, but don't worry, once you pour the second coat over top, all of those sanding marks will disappear.
2. Clean sanding dust & pour the next coat
Wipe away sanding debris very well. You may want to wipe with a damp cloth, brush with a soft brush, or spray with a can of condensed air to make sure there are no traces of sanding residue left. Once the surface is completely clean and dry, then pour your next coat of accurately measured and mixed resin on top. Last, cover with a dustcover to make sure you avoid any of those imperfections a second time and you should be good to go.
💡TIP: ArtResin self-levels at about an 1/8" or 3 mm. You can pour a little deeper if you're pouring into a vessel like a silicone mold, but you want to be careful not to pour deeper than 1/4" or 6 mm for a couple of reasons: first, it's hard for bubbles to release at anything thicker than this and second, the resin can heat up and cure prematurely if you pour too thick.
How To Apply Multiple Coats Of Epoxy Resin:
Some artists like to do third, fourth or fifth coats with acrylic paint or artwork in between each layer for a 3D effect. You can also pour multiple layers of ArtResin if you just like the look of a thicker coat, if you want to embed objects into the resin or if you're pouring into a silicone mold.
If you're looking for that layered look, there are two ways to achieve it:
1. Wait 24 hours, sand and pour
The first method is to wait 24 hrs after your first pour, then sand down the whole piece with coarse sandpaper to create some tooth. Wipe clean and pour your second coat at that point, as originally described. Repeat until you reach the thickness you desire.
2. Wait 3-5 hours and pour
To save you some time, the second method is to wait 3-5 hrs after your first pour, until the resin has reached a gel state. Instead of sanding, you'll pour the second coat directly on top of the curing resin. The stickiness of the resin will provide the tooth and the curing will happen simultaneously between the two layers, bonding them together very nicely. Repeat these steps until you reach the thickness you desire.
Both methods work very nicely for pouring multiple layers! So whether you're working on an epic piece with lots of layers, or you're simply trying to fix an imperfection on your first coat, rest assured that pouring a second coat is always an option!
Learn more about surface preparation before using epoxy resin. Read our guides below:
Can I Resin Over A Curved Surface?
What Is The Best Supportive Surface To Use With ArtResin?
Can I Get A Textured Surface With Epoxy Resin?
What’s The Best Surface To Use With Epoxy Resin?
Where Should I Epoxy Resin My Work?
Surface Preparation Before Applying Epoxy Resin
Can You Spot Fix Small Imperfections in your Epoxy Resin?
Will I See Scratch Marks From Sanding Under A Second Coat Of Resin?
ArtResin: Made By Artists For Artists
