Frequently Asked Questions

Resin Shop – Frequently Asked Questions

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Everything you need to know about Clearpox, EpoxyPro, and StoneFusion — plus pigments, mixing, deep pours & river tables, troubleshooting, safety, industry-specific picks, orders & shipping.

Picking the Right Resin

Which resin should I use for my project?

If you’re unsure, start with a small kit or a sample kit to validate flow, clarity & cure in your conditions.

Do you offer sample kits?

Yes — sample sizes are available (handy for testing colour, clarity, adhesion and cure before scaling).

Mixing & Use

What is the mixing ratio for your epoxy resins?

Clearpox, StoneFusion and EpoxyPro use a 2:1 (resin:hardener) mix by volume The Deep Pour system uses a mix ratio of 3:1. Always measure accurately and mix thoroughly, scraping the sides and base of the cup.

How much resin do I need (coverage guide)?

As a rule of thumb, 1 L covers ~1 m² at 1 mm thickness (≈1000 cm³). Multiply your area by desired thickness to estimate volume, then add a margin for waste and edge losses.

What temperature should I pour at?

Ideal workspace temperature is ~25 °C. We recommend keeping pours at ≥18 °C. Below ~15 °C cure slows markedly and finish quality can suffer. You can gently warm resin/hardener bottles (~30 °C water bath) and condition the room to maintain target temps.

How thick can I pour in one go?

It depends on the system and geometry. Shallow seal coats are typically 0.5–2 mm; flood coats ~2–4 mm. For deep castings or cylinders, use our deep-pour formulation, otherwise plan multiple layers to manage heat (exotherm) and clarity. If in doubt, test on a small mould first.

Can I add pigments, metallics or alcohol inks?

Yes — use epoxy-compatible pigments/pearls or alcohol inks. Add sparingly (often <5% by volume; some effects far less). Always test for the look and cure you want.

Clearpox quick compare 2:1 = coatings / seal & flood coats • 3:1 = deep casting

Clearpox Ultra Clear 2:1

  • Best for: seal coats, flood coats, topcoats, thin casts
  • Self-levelling: yes, on a level prepped surface
  • Working time: moderate (small mixes at ~25 °C)
  • Typical layer: ~0.5–4 mm (coat / flood)

Clearpox Ultra Clear Deep Pour 3:1

  • Best for: thick clear castings / river sections
  • Self-levelling: yes, on a level prepped surface
  • Working time: long (small mixes at ~25 °C)
  • Typical layer: thicker sections; follow label limits

Tip: Seal live edges with a thin 2:1 coat; pour the deep-pour layer when tacky. For 2″ (~50 mm) rivers, many builders still use layers to manage heat/clarity. If you miss the tacky window, abrade 180–220 grit, clean, then pour.

Deep Pour & River Tables

Clearpox Ultra Clear vs Deep Pour — what’s the difference?

Clearpox Ultra Clear (standard): 2:1 mix by volume, faster set in thin films, commonly used for seal coats, flood coats and topcoats.

Clearpox Ultra Clear Deep Pour: 3:1 mix by volume, very low viscosity and long pot life for thicker clear castings with reduced exotherm.

Is the Deep Pour 3:1 “self-levelling” like the 2:1?

Yes — both systems level on a prepared, level surface. The 2:1 is often used specifically as a self-levelling coating/flood coat; the 3:1 is optimised for deep casting where heat control and clarity are key.

What’s the typical working time?

Working time depends on mass and temperature, but as a small-batch guide at ~25 °C: a standard 2:1 mix is around an hour; a deep-pour 3:1 mix can be several hours. Always test in your conditions.

Can I use Deep Pour to seal live edges?

You can, but we usually recommend a thin seal coat with the 2:1 system because it sets faster in thin films. If you use Deep Pour, apply a very thin coat and wait until it’s tacky before the main pour.

How do I maximise bond between layers?

Pour the next layer in the product’s tacky/gel recoat window for a chemical bond. If you miss that window, lightly abrade (180–220 grit), clean thoroughly, then pour.

Troubleshooting

How do I minimise bubbles?
  • Warm parts to ~25 °C; mix slowly; use a wide, flat stirrer.
  • Seal porous timber with a thin seal coat before flood coats.
  • De-gas with brief passes of a heat gun/torch (don’t scorch).
Why is my surface hazy, sticky or soft?

Common causes: off-ratio mixing, poor scraping during mix, cold environment, or moisture contamination. Re-coat only after a full cure and a clean, well-keyed surface; spot-remove uncured patches and re-cast if necessary.

Will the resin yellow in sunlight?

All epoxies slowly yellow with UV exposure. For best long-term clarity, use Clearpox for indoor pieces and consider a UV-stable topcoat for high-UV environments. Keep prolonged direct sun to a minimum on clear finishes.

Is it food safe when cured?

Clearpox and StoneFusion form a non-toxic, VOC-free, inert plastic once fully cured — suitable for incidental food contact (serving boards, benchtops). Allow full cure (often 7+ days, depending on conditions). EpoxyPro trade/industrial systems are not assessed for food contact.

Pigments & Additives

What pigments work best for countertops and river tables?

For stone effects, pair StoneFusion with metallic pearls and a touch of alcohol ink for veining/marble lines. For river tables, Clearpox with mica pearls gives depth without clouding.

Can I tint structural and composite systems (e.g., EP55/EP10/EP20)?

Yes — most systems can be tinted modestly without compromising cure. For composites (e.g., carbon fibre) use compatible tints and keep loading low to preserve mechanical properties and wet-out.

Safety & Compliance

What PPE and safety steps do you recommend?
  • Nitrile gloves, eye protection, covered skin; good ventilation.
  • Read the product’s SDS/TDS before use. Dispose of cured waste responsibly; don’t pour resin/solvents down drains.
  • Know basic first aid: wash skin with soap/water; flush eyes and seek medical advice if exposed.
Request SDS / TDS
Do you supply SDS/TDS for all products?

Yes — SDS/TDS and specs are available on request for trade and retail orders. Provide the product name and kit size so we can send the correct documents.

Orders & Shipping

How do you ship resin kits and bulk orders?

We use national couriers for parcels and road freight for larger consignments/pallets. Tracking updates activate once the carrier collects your order. If you need a tailored freight quote for bulk drums or multiple 15–30 L kits, contact us.

Can I track my order?

Yes — tracking is emailed once your parcel is booked with the carrier. If you don’t see it, check spam or contact us with your order number.

Storage & Shelf Life

How should I store resin and hardener?
  • Keep sealed in a cool, dry place (ideally 15–25 °C), out of direct sunlight.
  • If resin thickens in cold weather, warm the sealed bottle in ~30 °C water before use.
  • Wipe threads after pouring; keep moisture out of containers.
What is the shelf life?

Unopened: typically 12–24 months when stored correctly. After opening: best within 6–12 months. Always check product label and batch details.

Quick Picks by Industry


General advice only: Always follow the product label and SDS/TDS. Test small before full projects, especially for deep casts or critical applications.

Project-specific advice policy: We’re happy to share general guidance from our pages, but we can’t engineer project-specific specifications or guarantee outcomes for unique builds. For deep pours and pigmented castings, please run a small test pour in your workshop conditions first. If your project needs detailed, project-specific advice, we recommend working with a local fabricator or epoxy specialist.