7 Common UV Resin Problems And Fixes
Here is a guide on some of the most common UV resin problems and fixes. UV resin is a great material for making crafts, but sometimes things can go wrong. You may be wondering why your UV resin is still sticky after curing. You might end up with sticky surfaces, bubbles, or resin that doesn’t harden all the way. These problems can be frustrating, especially if you’re new to working with UV resin. If your UV resin isn’t curing right or looks sticky, cloudy, or cracked, you’re not alone. It takes a bit of trial and error to figure out what’s going wrong, but once you know the common issues, it’s easier to fix them.
When I first started using UV resin, I made every mistake you can think of, too thick of a pour, weak lights, even working near a window without realizing the sun was setting it early. This post is all about the little things I learned that make a big difference. In this article, I’ll go over some of the most common problems people have with UV resin and give you simple fixes for each one. With a few easy tips, you can avoid these issues and create beautiful, smooth resin projects every time.
UV Resin Problems And Fixes
1. UV Resin Not Curing In Silicone Mold
Sometimes, UV resin won’t fully cure in silicone molds, leaving it sticky or soft even after using the UV light. The UV light must be strong enough and the resin must be curing for the right amount of time. When I made this resin jewelry tutorial, the pendant was cured for a total of 2 minutes. For a thicker layer, you might even have to go up to 4 minutes.
Try curing in thinner layers, as thick resin can block the light. Also, check if your mold is clear or translucent, as darker molds may block UV light from reaching the resin properly. Here’s a helpful article about the best UV lights for curing resin. The choices are really good quality lights and lamps that have the proper wavelengths.
2. UV Resin Sticky After Curing
You may be wondering why is my UV resin sticky after drying? After curing, your UV resin may still feel tacky or sticky, even though you’ve used the UV light for the recommended time. Make sure you’re using a high quality UV light that’s strong enough to fully cure the resin. You can also try curing the piece for a longer time or in thinner layers.
Although this is less common with UV resin, the sticky surface could be an inhibition layer. Understand that if the nail lamp gives off too little UV light, the curing of the UV resin will be slower and the inhibition layer will become even thicker. You can try to wipe the surface with a resin wipe to remove the tackiness. If the UV bulbs in the nail lamp need to be changed, this will also create a thicker layer as well. It’s one of the main reasons why the UV resin is not hardening.
3. Resin Is Cloudy
If your UV resin turns out cloudy instead of clear, it can affect the final look of your project. It’s disheartening when you expected a crystal clear finished piece, but it’s totally cloudy. Cloudiness can happen if there’s moisture or dust in the resin. Your work area and tools must be clean and dry before starting. Check the expiration date of your ultraviolet resin. Sometimes it may be past expiry and will not cure clear.
Are you using the right colorants for your resin? Some colorants and glitter will make the UV resin cloudy. Here’s a list of the best colorants for resin. This was a plant charm that was made with crystal clear UV resin and white pigment paste swirled into it. The clear part does not have any cloudy resin in it. If the resin was exposed to humidity, try working in a less humid environment. Here’s a full article about why resin is cloudy. This is mainly for epoxy resin but there are great tips for using UV resin as well.
4. Top Cures But The Bottom Stays Sticky
If the top of your resin feels hard but the bottom is still sticky, the UV light may not be reaching all the way through. Check that your mold is clear or translucent so light can reach the resin from underneath. Try curing through the bottom of the mold as well. This is a last ditch thing though because the light has to see the resin to cure. So this is not going to work for molds that are completely blacked out. For your next pour, use thinner layers and cure each one before adding more, especially when working with flowers, pigment, or glitter that can block the light.
5. UV Resin Has Air Bubbles
A finished piece looks fantastic with no air bubbles. Bubbles in UV resin can make your project look uneven and messy, and they can be tricky to remove once cured. To avoid bubbles, stir the resin slowly to prevent air from getting trapped. You can also let the resin sit for a few minutes before pouring to allow bubbles to rise to the surface. If you still see bubbles, use a toothpick to pop them before curing. A heat gun can also be used to gently remove surface bubbles right after pouring the resin.
6. Using UV Resin And Epoxy Resin Together
You can use UV resin and epoxy resin together, but there are some things to keep in mind to stop some common issues from happening. When combining the two, the epoxy resin should be fully cured before adding UV resin on top because they cure differently. You can use UV resin for small details or top layers over epoxy. Just remember that UV resin cures quickly with a UV light, while epoxy takes more time to harden. Layering carefully and letting each resin fully set will help them work well together.
7. Too much Colorant Of Glitter Was Used
It’s easy to add a little extra pigment or glitter when you’re excited about a design, but too much can block the UV light from reaching through the resin. This can leave your piece soft or sticky, even when the top looks cured. Start with a small amount of color or glitter and cure in thin layers. I also suggest making a small test piece before using the mixture in a project you’ve spent time putting together.
Thanks for reading, and I hope these tips help with your UV resin projects. A few small changes can make a big difference in how your resin turns out. If any of these fixes helped, please leave a comment and let me know. I’d love to hear what you’re making!
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