What is the shelf life of ArtResin?
I found an old bottle of epoxy resin ... can I still use it?
How long does epoxy resin last?
We often get questions like this from customers asking if ArtResin has an expiry date. The answer is yes; like most art materials, ArtResin does have a shelf life.
Does epoxy resin go bad?
ArtResin’s shelf life is 12 months unopened and about 6 months opened.
In this case, the shelf life refers to the clarity of the product and how long you can expect ArtResin to stay looking just as clear as the day it was made.
ArtResin's shelf life is shortened once opened because of oxidization: that is, when you open the bottle and the hardener comes into contact with oxygen, there is a yellowing effect, much like the browning of an apple or avocado once cut and exposed to air. Thankfully, this yellowing doesn't become apparent until approximately the 6 month mark.
💡TIP: to delay oxidization, always ensure you re-cap the bottle as soon as you finish pouring your hardener.
Keep in mind that yellowing hardener from oxidization is entirely different than yellowing caused by UV exposure, but not to worry ... we’ve got you covered there too! Even when cured, you can expect ArtResin to stay clear for the longterm: it’s chemically engineered to protect your work from the damaging effects of UV as well. Read more about it in our blog What Are The Benefits Of ArtResin.
What happens if you use expired ArtResin?
Even if you were to use ArtResin beyond its shelf life, the resin and hardener will still react and cure as expected.
In other words, the yellowing in the hardener will not affect ArtResin's ability to cure.
In fact, the hardener will dilute once mixed with the resin ( which stays clear. ) Although you may not want to use it on a white or very light piece of artwork, it's absolutely fine to use on darker pieces of art, on wood, or for tinting with a colorant like ResinTint.
So remember ... we always advise only buying as much ArtResin as you think you will need to ensure your resin is always as fresh as can be.
If, however, you do find yourself with leftover resin that has yellowed, not to worry! Make yourself a charcuterie board, some flow art or a petri dish and you won't have any wasted ArtResin!
If you have any question, leave your comments below.