One of the most common questions that people ask while making crafts and jewelry is which types of resin to use. First of all, let me tell you that is there are various types of resin available in the market but you need to select one which best matches your need. Some of the available resins are mentioned below.
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Polyurethane Resin
It is one of the widely used resins and is available in both opaque as well as water clear versions. The main benefit of this resin is that it sets within a few minutes. It has been noticed that the cast that is made using polyurethane resin is highly durable and does not break easily. But you need to keep it away from the moisture or it will be even better if it is away from the humid condition.
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Epoxy Resin
You can make use of this resin for almost all-purpose. It costs more than the polyester counterpart and it can even take several days to get cured completely. But the main benefit is that it does not only give a clear finish but also a nice glossy finish. The only thing that you need to keep a watch while working with epoxy resin (เร ซิ่น, which is the term in Thai) is that you wear gloves and operate in a place that is well ventilated.
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Silicone Resin
You might be shocked to know that resins are available in silicone variation and the main benefit behind using it is that they can cure within a few hours. But you are going to get a rubber sort of finish, which is helpful when you are trying to make molds for casting. You must not forget that molds made out from these resin has a longer shelf life and can be reused as well.
The moment you plan which resin to use just keep in mind that you need one, which is highly durable and has a glossy shine to it. Some resins turn out yellow with age so you can check those things before purchasing one. Moreover, some resins would work better if an additional layer is applied to them. Thus, you must only select a resin after doing proper research on it. So that you get the one which is best suited to your need.