Lesson 1Tools, equipment, and PPE: mixing cups, scales, spreaders, heat sources (torch vs. heat gun), respirators, gloves, eye protection, ventilation and workspace setupSet up a safe, smooth resin workspace with proper tools and PPE. You will select precise mixing gear, heat sources, and airflow, and know how to guard your lungs, skin, and eyes for every pour.
Essential mixing cups, sticks, and scalesSpreaders, brushes, and detail toolsTorch vs. heat gun: when and how to useRespirators, gloves, and eye protectionVentilation strategies for small studiosOrganizing a clean, dust-controlled areaLesson 2Sourcing realistic product examples: how to compare brands by TDS, customer reviews, and lab data (what to look for in examples)Learn to check real epoxy products using technical data, lab tests, and user comments. You will compare brands, spot false claims, and make a shortlist of trusty resins for various craft uses.
Key info to extract from epoxy TDS sheetsUsing viscosity, hardness, and clarity metricsInterpreting cure schedules and temperature limitsEvaluating yellowing and UV resistance claimsWeighing lab tests against customer reviewsLesson 3Additives and modifiers: pigments (mica, powdered, liquid dyes), alcohol inks, UV stabilizers, thickeners, and flexibilizersLearn how additives alter colour, flow, bend, and strength. You will compare pigment kinds, alcohol inks, UV guards, thickeners, and bend agents, and try safe, measured amounts for steady results.
Mica powders for shimmer and coverageLiquid dyes and transparent colour effectsUsing alcohol inks without overreactingUV stabilizers and anti-yellowing packagesThickeners, fillers, and texture modifiersFlexibilizers for impact-resistant piecesLesson 4Inclusions and findings: natural inclusions (dried flowers, shells), metallic leaf/foil, glitter types, pigments vs. dyes — compatibility and sealing needsExplore how flowers, shells, metals, and colourants act in resin. You will learn safe inclusions, how to dry and seal them, and stop bleeding, bubbles, and rust in finished items.
Preparing and drying natural inclusionsSealing porous items to prevent bubblesUsing metallic leaf, foil, and metal findingsChoosing glitter types that resist sinkingPigments vs. dyes: opacity and bleed controlTesting compatibility before full poursLesson 5Understanding resin chemistry: pot life, working time, exotherm, cure stages, and shelf lifeGet a practical sense of epoxy chemistry to pour safely and surely. You will learn how pot life, heat rise, cure steps, and storage affect working time, strength, and lasting stability.
What pot life and working time really meanExotherm: heat buildup and how to control itGel, green, and full cure stages explainedEffects of temperature and humidity on cureShelf life, crystallization, and storage tipsLesson 6Types of epoxy resins: casting, laminating, tabletop, UV, doming — properties and appropriate usesKnow the main epoxy resin types and when to use each. You will compare casting, laminating, tabletop, UV, and doming systems by depth limits, clarity, hardness, and heat resistance for craft projects.
Casting resins for deep, clear poursLaminating resins for layers and fiberglassTabletop resins for coatings and bar topsDoming resins for jewellery and labelsUV-curing resins: pros, cons, and limitsLesson 7Molds and mold materials: silicone, rigid molds, two-part molds — release, shrinkage, and surface finish considerationsFind out how mold materials affect cure, clarity, and removal. You will compare silicone and rigid molds, know when to use two-part molds, and handle release agents, shrinkage, and surface quality.
Choosing between silicone and rigid moldsDesigning and using two-part moldsApplying and selecting mold release agentsManaging shrinkage and dimensional accuracyImproving gloss and reducing surface defectsLesson 8Product selection checklist: how to read technical data sheets (TDS) and safety data sheets (SDS) for curing times, mix ratios, temperature ranges, and yellowing resistanceBuild a step-by-step way to choose epoxy products. You will read TDS and SDS for mix ratios, cure times, and dangers, then make a checklist that fits resin traits to your craft aims.
Key sections of epoxy TDS to reviewFinding cure time and recoat window dataReading SDS for health and fire hazardsChecking temperature and humidity limitsAssessing yellowing and outdoor durabilityBuilding a repeatable selection checklist
