Where to buy and how to use resin?

Question

There is a clear plastic substance called resin. I am wondering where you can but it and if it is air dry or somethig you bake. it can be used to in paper weights and stuff.

Answer 1

The type of "resin" you're probably wanting is a polyester resin (also called a "casting" resin sometimes).

Polyester resins can be poured "deeply" into certain kinds of molds to create (non-glass) paperweights and other things. They come in two parts --a small amount of one part is added to a large amt of the other part.

(There is also a type of 2-part resin commonly available for crafters, etc., called an epoxy resin --those are usuallly mixed in equal parts. This type of resin is great for bartops and other things which don't require more than about 1/4" of depth in total.)

Both of these resins require a "curing" time of about 24 hrs or so (for each layer, if there's more than one layer) to harden, during which they are left alone and covered over to avoid attracting dust, etc.

You can find lots of info on the brand names of both types of resin (Castin' Craft is the most-commonly available brand of polyester resin... there are usually more brands of epoxies), as well as info on how to use each type, on this page of my site if you want to check it out:
http://glassattic.com/polymer/other_materials.htm


Good luck,

Diane B.

Answer 2

casting resin is available at Michaels and Hobby Lobby and some hardware stores. It is used with a hardener that is mixed in and sets up fairly quickly. It is fairly sticky in use and makes for a messy cleanup. Most places that sell it have a booklet nearby with suggestions and you can find books in the library under plastic casting and should be able to find it on the internet.
Like here.
http://eti-usa.com/books/castinbk/page1.htm

Answer 3

I hunted around a bit and stumbled on
http://diynetwork.com (the link is way too long) so search for "resin casting" and there's a demonstration on making something with it. A website for purchase is
http://craftforless.com (search for castin' craft casting. But as your first answerer said it was available at Michaels, it'll probably be cheaper that way. I'm sorry I couldn't give you the entire links-both are way too long and they won't print out long enough to go to the page. I think the demo will show you what you want to know.

Answer 4

Liquid resin is pretty heavy, you would definitely want to buy it in person because it would be expensive to ship. We used it a lot in the 70's for paperweights & keychains and stuff. It's a lot of fun. Your local craft store will have it. It will come with instructions.
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