If youโve ever been curious about the differences betweenย epoxy resin vs UV resin, youโre in the right place!
These two resins may seem similar at first, but they have some key differences that can totally change how you approach your projects.
Letโs dive in and explore the amazing things you can create with both!
Getting to Know Epoxy Resin
Letโs start withย epoxy resin. This type of resin usually comes in bigger bottles and consists of two parts:ย Part A (the resin)ย andย Part B (the hardener).ย To use it, you have to mix equal parts of both togetherโthis activates the chemical reaction that makes it harden.
Mixing is a must withย epoxy resin, but the good news?ย Itโs way more cost-effectiveย than UV resin, especially if youโre working on larger projects.
What You Need to Know About Epoxy:
- Longer cure time:ย A thin coat can takeย 5-6 hours to set, but I personally recommend waiting at leastย 8-12 hours before handling your piece.
- Self-leveling magic: Epoxy naturally levels itself out, which is perfect for tumblersโjust make sure to keep them rotating so the resin spreads evenly!
- Best for: tumblers, large silicone molds, and complex 3D pieces.ย If youโre making a glitter tumbler, epoxy resin is theย onlyย way to go!
- Mold-friendly: Since it cures from a chemical reaction rather than light exposure, epoxy works perfectly for deeper and opaque molds!
- Crystal Clear & UV Resistant: We have added UV stabilizers + HALS (Hindered Amine Light Stabilizers), which can effectively resist UV and yellowing to ensure that your DIY artwork has a crystal clear,…
- High Quality & Bubble Free: Vivresina has own R&D and manufacturing team, the innovative self-leveling and self-defoaming technology automatically releases residual air bubbles and unevenness to…
- ๐ [EASY TO USE AND FAST CURING] Simply mix the resin and curing agent in a 1:1 volume ratio to start using. It has a 45 minute working time, making it perfect for beginners and allows time to mix…
- ๐ [SELF DEFOAMING] Our formula adds defoamer, which automatically releases trapped bubbles and has strong defoaming ability. It is recommended that each layer should not exceed 1/4 inch, which can…
- Easy Application Process – Enjoy the simplicity of a 1:1 mixing ratio with our epoxy resin kit, perfect for both beginners and experienced DIY enthusiasts. This user-friendly kit is a must-have…
- Food-Safe Epoxy Resin – Our epoxy resin is food-safe when fully cured, making it an excellent choice for kitchen table tops, bar tops, and other food contact surfaces. Compatible with wood and metal,…
- [Professional All-in-One Resin Art Set]Equipped with precision pumps, spill-proof pads, and detailed guides, this set integrates self-leveling, self-defoaming, and UV-resistant technologies. Designed…
- [SELF DEFOAMING FORMULA]The defoaming formula allows bubbles to disappear automatically, leaving the resin with a perfect bubble-free surface. For optimal results, keep layers of resin under 1/4 inch…
Exploring UV Resin
Now, letโs talk aboutย UV resin! Unlikeย epoxy resin,ย UV resinย comes ready to useโno mixing required! Just squeeze it straight from the bottle and youโre good to go.
But thereโs a catch: UV resin only cures when exposed toย UV light.ย You can use sunlight, but for consistent results, I recommend getting aย UV nail lampย (at leastย 50 watts)โthis will ensure your resin cures properly every time.
Why Youโll Love UV Resin:
- Fast cure time:ย Each layer hardens inย 1-2 minutesย under a UV lampโso if youโre layering, your project can be done in under 10 minutes!
- Best for:ย Acrylic blanks, shallow molds, and jewelry.ย If youโre making cute little keychains or pendants, UV resin is perfect.
- Clear molds work best:ย Since UV light needs to reach all areas of the resin, itโs best to useย shallow, clear silicone moldsย for your projects.
Whileย UV resinย isย super quick and easy to use, itโs not great forย large, thick, or opaque moldsย since the light wonโt reach deep enough to cure everything evenly.
- ๐ใUpgrade UV Resin Hardใ๏ผThe use of higher quality raw materials (polyurethane acrylic resin) makes the UV light curing effect better. After curing, the work is hard and non-stick, and the…
- ๐ใProfessional and Convenientใ๏ผHigh quality raw materials and professional unique research and development formula, greatly reducing the odor of resin adhesive, greatly reducing the curing…
- Low Odor&Hardness: LET’S RESIN upgrade UV resin is developed and produced safely, using high-quality materials, after long testing and improvement. The reactive diluent is added to reduce volatile…
- More Efficient Tools: Comparing many UV lights, we selected this UV lamp to improve your work efficiency, the higher the power, the shorter the curing time. The light has 8 lamp beads, which can fully…
- UNLEASH CREATIVITY WITH UV RESIN HARD: UV epoxy resin finds its extensive applications in crafting exquisite small jewelry pieces like earrings and pendants. Moreover, it serves as an excellent…
- END THE STRUGGLE WITH MESSY MIXING AND ERRORS: Our UV resin glue, unlike conventional epoxy resin, is meticulously pre-mixed and can be applied directly from the bottle without the need for a…
- NON-TOXIC & SAFETY CERTIFICATION : We are a professional resin manufacturer with complete product quality and safety certifications. Our UV resin is safe and non-toxic(some odor before curing, but it…
- UPGRADE FORMULA&CURED FULL : Improved for reduce sticky and tacky issue; extremely clear, low shrinkage, and yellowing resistance. Curing in minutes with 36W UV lamp. Please note that The darker color…
Safety First! Resin Crafting Tips
Bothย epoxy resin and UV resinย areย chemicals, so itโs important to take some simple precautions to keep yourself safe while crafting:
- Wear gloves โ Always protect your skin from resin exposure.
- Use a maskย โ An N95 mask is great for extra protection, especially when working withย epoxy resin.
- Work in a well-ventilated area โ Open windows, turn on fans, or even work in your garage to keep fresh air flowing!
Taking these steps ensures that you can enjoy yourย epoxy resin and UV resinย projectsย safelyย while having tons of creative fun!
For all yourย safety gear needs.
Epoxy Resin vs UV Resin โ A Quick Recap!
If all this info feels like a lot, hereโs a quick summary to make it easier:
| Feature | Epoxy Resin | UV Resin |
|---|---|---|
| Mixing Required? | Yes (1:1 ratio) | No |
| Cure Time | 5-12 hours | 1-2 minutes per layer |
| Best for | Tumblers, deep & colored molds | Jewelry, acrylic blanks, shallow clear molds |
| Self-Leveling? | Yes | No |
| Curing Method | Chemical reaction | UV light |
When it comes toย epoxy resin vs UV resin, both areย amazingย for different types of projectsโso it really depends on what youโre creating!
If youโre makingย large, glittery, or detailed projects,ย epoxy resinย is your best friend. But if you needย a quick, small, and clear resin piece,ย UV resinย is the way to go!
Have any questions? Drop them in the commentsโIโd love to help! And if you want to chat more aboutย epoxy resin vs UV resin, crafting, or anything creative, letโs connect on social media. Happy crafting!
FAQ: Epoxy Resin vs UV Resin
Can I use epoxy resin and UV resin together?
Yes! You can use UV resin to add small details or quick-drying top layers on epoxy projects. Just ensure the epoxy is fully cured before applying UV resin.
Why is my UV resin sticky even after curing?
Sticky UV resin usually means it wasn’t fully cured. Try using a stronger UV lamp (50W+) or curing for a longer time. Also, ensure your resin isn’t expired!
Can epoxy resin be cured with UV light?
No, epoxy resin cures through a chemical reaction and does not respond to UV light. It requires time and proper mixing to fully harden.
