Lesson 1Tools, Equipment, and Safety Gear: Mixing Cups, Scales, Spreaders, Heat Tools (Torch or Heat Gun), Masks, Gloves, Eye Guards, Air Flow, and Workspace SetupGet your safe and good workspace ready for resin with proper tools and safety gear. You will pick right mixing tools, heat things, and air flow, and learn how to keep your lungs, skin, and eyes safe in every pour you do.
Must-have mixing cups, sticks, and scalesSpreaders, brushes, and small toolsTorch against heat gun: when and how to use themMasks, gloves, and eye guardsAir flow plans for small work areasSetting up a clean space without dustLesson 2Finding Real Product Examples: How to Compare Brands Using Data Sheets, Customer Feedback, and Lab Info (What to Check in Examples)Learn to check real epoxy products with technical info, lab tests, and what users say. You will compare brands, see through false ads, and make a list of good resins for different craft jobs.
Main info from epoxy data sheetsUsing thickness, hardness, and clearness measuresUnderstanding cure times and heat limitsChecking claims on yellowing and UV strengthBalancing lab tests with user reviewsLesson 3Additives and Changes: Color Powders (Mica, Ground, Liquid Colors), Alcohol Inks, UV Protectors, Thickeners, and Soft MakersLearn how extras change color, flow, bend, and lasting power. You will compare color types, alcohol inks, UV protectors, thickeners, and soft makers, and try safe, exact amounts for same results each time.
Mica powders for shine and coverLiquid colors and see-through effectsUsing alcohol inks without too much reactionUV protectors and anti-yellow packsThickeners, fillers, and feel changersSoft makers for strong piecesLesson 4Add-Ins and Parts: Natural Add-Ins (Dried Flowers, Shells), Metal Leaves/Foils, Glitter Kinds, Colors vs. Dyes — Matching and Sealing NeedsLook at how flowers, shells, metals, and colors act in resin. You will learn safe add-ins, how to dry and seal them, and stop bleeding, bubbles, and rust in finished items.
Getting ready and drying natural add-insSealing holey items to stop bubblesUsing metal leaves, foils, and metal partsPicking glitter that does not sinkColors vs. dyes: cover and bleed controlTesting match before big poursLesson 5Knowing Resin Chemistry: Pot Life, Work Time, Heat Rise, Cure Steps, and Shelf TimeGet a real sense of epoxy chemistry to pour safe and sure. You will learn how pot life, heat rise, cure steps, and storage change work time, strength, and long stay good.
What pot life and work time truly meanHeat rise: heat build and how to handle itGel, green, and full cure steps made clearHow heat and wet air affect cureShelf time, crystal form, and store tipsLesson 6Kinds of Epoxy Resins: Pouring Deep, Layering, Table Top, UV, Rounding — Features and Right UsesKnow the main epoxy resin groups and when to use each. You will compare deep pour, layering, table top, UV, and rounding systems by depth limits, clearness, hardness, and heat hold for special craft jobs.
Deep pour resins for thick, clear fillsLayering resins for levels and fiber glassTable top resins for covers and bar topsRounding resins for jewels and tagsUV-cure resins: good points, bad points, limitsLesson 7Molds and Mold Stuff: Silicone, Hard Molds, Two-Part Molds — Release, Shrink, and Surface Finish ThoughtsFind out how mold stuff affects cure, clearness, and taking out. You will compare silicone and hard molds, learn when to use two-part molds, and handle release helpers, shrink, and surface quality.
Picking between silicone and hard moldsMaking and using two-part moldsPutting on and picking mold release helpersHandling shrink and size truthMaking shine better and less surface bad spotsLesson 8Product Pick List: How to Read Tech Data Sheets (TDS) and Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for Cure Times, Mix Parts, Heat Ranges, and Yellowing HoldMake a step-by-step way to choose epoxy products. You will read TDS and SDS for mix parts, cure times, and dangers, then make a list that matches resin features to your craft aims.
Main parts of epoxy TDS to checkFinding cure time and re-cover window infoReading SDS for health and fire dangersChecking heat and wet air limitsLooking at yellowing and outside lastingMaking a list you can use again for picks
