A Beginner's Guide to Mixing Resin and Hardener

Great resin results start long before the pour.

The truth is, most resin curing issues happen because the resin wasn't measured accurately or mixed thoroughly enough.

The good news is that both are easy to avoid.

A few extra minutes spent measuring and mixing can help make sure you get a crystal-clear finish that cures exactly the way you want.

In this guide, we're sharing our best tips on how to mix ArtResin properly — from start to finish.

What You'll Need

• ArtResin epoxy resin and hardener 
• Graduated measuring cup
• A flat-edged mixing stick or spatula
• Nitrile gloves
  

Step 1: Figure Out How Much Resin You'll Need

Not sure? No problem! 

ArtResin's Resin Calculator does the math for you.

Enter your project's dimensions or diameter (in or cm) and the calculator will let you know how much resin you'll need and which kit size is the best fit.

Example: Say you have a piece of artwork that's 2 feet x 3 feet.

Enter 24 x 36" into the Calculator to get a result of 30 fl oz total resin required (made up of 15 oz of resin and 15 oz of hardener). 

The 32 oz kit is the perfect amount for your project.

💡 TIP: The calculator provides the amount needed for one coat. Planning multiple layers? Multiply that amount by the number of coats you'll be applying.

Step 2: Measure Carefully

ArtResin requires equal amounts of both resin and hardener by volume.
That means if you pour 4 fl oz of resin, you'll need 4 fl oz of hardener. 

It may seem like a small detail, but accurate measuring is one of the most important parts of a successful resin project.

Too much resin or hardener can throw off the curing process, leaving you with soft, sticky or uncured areas. 

💡 TIP:  Measure one bottle at a time and replace the cap after you've poured. This will help make sure you put the correct cap back on the bottles (black for resin and white for hardener).  Speaking from experience .... if you put the wrong caps back on, they'll cure closed. 

Step 3: Mix For 3 Full Minutes

Once you've measured your resin and hardener, mix slowly for 3 full minutes.

And yes — set a timer.  Or put on your favorite song.

As you stir, scrape the sides and bottom of the container so everything gets fully incorporated.

It may look mixed after a minute or two, but keep going! That last minute helps ensure the resin and hardener are completely combined and cure properly.

One of the Most Common Resin Mistakes

Scrape while you mix. Don't scrape while you pour.

You want to scrape the sides and bottom of the mixing cup while stirring, but once it's time to pour, don't scrape as if you're scraping cake batter from the mixing bowl. 

Why?

Any residue left clinging to the sides of the cup may not be fully mixed, and you don't want it ending up on your artwork.

This is the number one culprit behind soft sticky spots in an otherwise perfect cure.

A Few Helpful Mixing Tips

Work at the right temperature

ArtResin performs best between 75-85°F (24-30°C). If your resin is cold, it will be thicker than usual and will hold more microbubbles.

In cooler weather, warming tightly capped bottles in a warm water bath for about 15 minutes can help. Just be sure to dry the bottles completely before opening them.

💡 TIP: Be aware that warming ArtResin shortens its 45 minute working time by approximately 10 minutes.

Wear Gloves

Resin is sticky and gloves make cleanup much easier.   Wear disposable nitrile gloves to protect your hands from a sticky mess and skin irritation.

If resin comes into contact with your skin, wash promptly with soap and water. 

💡 TIP: Read more about safety precautions when working with ArtResin.

Mix A Little More 

Running out of resin halfway through a project is frustrating.

When in doubt, prepare a little more than you think you'll need so you can complete the entire surface in one application.  You can always keep a few small projects or molds on hand so any extra resin doesn't go to waste.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Many resin issues can be traced back to a few simple mistakes.

Eyeballing Measurements

• Always use a graduated measuring cup.

Rushing the Mixing Process

• Mix for the 3 full minutes, even if the resin looks ready sooner.

Working in Cold Temperatures

• Cool temperatures can affect the flow, bubbles, and curing.

Adding Extra Hardener

• Spoiler alert: more hardener won't make resin cure faster. All it does is throw off the ratio and prevents the resin from curing properly.  In other words, a sticky mess.

Can I Weigh The Resin & Hardener?

Yes, if you prefer, you can weigh the resin and hardener instead.

But because resin and hardener have different densities, the weight ratio is different from the volume ratio.

For ArtResin the correct weight ratio is 100 parts resin to 84 parts hardener. 

At this weight, the volume will be accurate to 50/50 — you can mix thoroughly for 3 minutes and proceed as usual.

Are There Minimum Amounts I Need To Mix?

No, there are no minimum amounts. As long as you follow the 1:1 ratio of resin and hardener and mix thoroughly for 3 minutes, the resin will cure.

💡 TIP: Try saving the measuring caps that come with kids' medicine bottles - they're usually marked with measurement lines as little as 2.5ml.  You can also order small measuring cups and beakers online.

Get the Mix Right, and Everything Else Gets Easier

Measuring and mixing resin isn't difficult, but it is important.

Those few extra minutes in the mixing cup can make all the difference between a project that cures beautifully and one that leaves you troubleshooting later.

Review: 

3 Simple Steps For Mixing Resin & Hardener:

Now that your resin is measured and mixed, you're ready for the fun part ... How To Pour And Spread ArtResin over your artwork!

Read our blogs to learn more about mixing & pouring epoxy resin:

• How Do I Know When Resin Is Fully Mixed And Ready To Use?
• Is It Possible To Overstir My ArtResin?
• How To Pour And Spread Epoxy Resin
• What Is The Working Time of ArtResin?
  

ArtResin:  The Original Epoxy for Resin Art