Have you ever had a resin piece that mysteriously seems to have become cloudy? Do not worry, in this article we will go through all the possible reasons it could happen and how to prevent it.
1. Bubbles
If your resin mixture has a lot of bubbles in it, chances are that it will turn out cloudy. This is a common problem with fast cure resins and UV resins. Sometimes it is very difficult to spot bubbles in the resin while it is in the mold, but once it comes out of the mold, it is totally cloudy.
Prevention: To prevent this problem you need to pop all the bubbles from your resin before pouring it in. There are several ways to ensure that your resin mixture does not have a lot of bubbles in it, but in general, using an open flame to burst all the bubbles on the surface is always a good idea.
2. Moisture
Moisture is a big problem when it comes to resin crafting. Whether it is an epoxy resin or UV resin, both of them can become extremely cloudy if moisture is present at any part of the process. If your room is moist, it can cause the resin to become cloudy. If the weather is moist, it can turn the resin cloudy. If you have added any additive that has moisture in it, that can also turn the resin cloudy. It is extremely important to take out as much moisture from the area as you possibly can.
Prevention: To prevent this, first, make sure that the room you are working in does not hold a lot of moisture inside. Also, refrain from working with resin on very rainy days. If you absolutely have to, then make sure to cover your resin piece with a plastic container to prevent any moisture from entering.
3. Temperature
A very high temperature can make your resin boil and bubble and cause it to become cloudy. This could happen if the layer of resin is too thick, or if you put the uncured resin in an area that is very hot, such as direct sunlight.
Prevention: To prevent this, make sure that you do not make layers that are thicker than ½ inch, especially in a tall mold. Also, make sure not to place the resin in direct sunlight.
4. Mixing equipment
Be careful of your mixing equipment and always make sure that they are completely clean before using them. Even a thin layer of dust can cause your resin to become cloudy, and nothing can turn it back at that point.
Prevention: To avoid this, always make sure to clean your mixing equipment such as the cup, the mixing stick, and anything else that comes in contact with the resin.
5. Inaccurate ratio
Many people make the mistake of mixing resin in an inaccurate ratio. This can easily make your resin cloudy, and no matter how much you mix it, it may still be cloudy. This usually happens when you have too little or too much hardener.
Prevention: To prevent this problem, you must measure the resin before pouring. Most resin is measured by weight, so investing in a kitchen scale will help you make sure that you have poured the resin in the correct ratio. Definitely check the labels on your resin and make sure you have the correct ratio in mind before pouring.
6. Additives
Certain additives can easily make your resin cloudy. If you are adding fresh flowers, the moisture from the flower can cloud up your resin. Some sequins and beads or glitter may also cloud up the resin, so always make a test batch with each additive to check if they are compatible.
Prevention: To prevent this, always use dry botanicals, and in the case of sequins and glitter, only use the ones that are specifically made for resin use.
Still don’t know why your resin is not clear? Maybe the problem is with Yellowing. In this next article, we talk about why your resin may be yellowing and how to prevent or correct it.
