FAQs
1. How to use EPOKE Art Epoxy Resin?
2. What is the mix ratio of EPOKE Art Resin?
The mix ratio is 3 : 1 by weight (Resin : Hardener) Eg. 30g of Resin + 10g Hardener.
3. What is the working time of EPOKE Art Resin ?
At an ambient temperature of 28 to 30 Deg C, the working time would be in the range of 45 to 60 minutes. Lower the ambient temperature , higher the working time and vice versa.
4. What is the shelf life of EPOKE Art Resin?
The shelf life of EPOKE Art Epoxy Resin is 1 year from the date of manufacturing when in sealed condition. When the bottles are opened to be consumed, the usable life would still continue to be 1 year provided the bottles are tightly recapped and the two components are not mixed together.
5. Can I colour or tint EPOKE Art Epoxy Resin?
Yes, you can. But you should know that by adding colours to the resin, you are introducing a foreign object into the Resin + Hardener mix which could change the properties of the resin based on the chemical composition of this foreign object. Your choice of the type of colourants becomes a determinant of how your masterpiece is going to look and feel over its lifetime.
6. What type of colors can we use in EPOKE Art Resin?
EPOKE Art Epoxy Resin works best when used with EPOKE Art Epoxy pigments because they are designed to alter the chemical structure of the resin system to a controlled extent.
You may also use metallics in powder form.
Using solvent based paints, water based stainers, acrylics or other colourants are a strict no no, although they may initially work well in terms of blending and colouring but will drastically bring down the adhesion, gloss, temperature resistance, cured strength and a lot of other properties of the resin.
You may use alcohol inks, but with caution. They are extremely flammable and could be a fire hazard during torching. Also the light fastness (long term brightness) of alcohol inks are known to be very low and they tend to fade when compared to EPOKE Art Epoxy pigments.
You can make an informed decision and establish what works best for you after doing some trials.
7. Can EPOKE Art Resin be used for River tables?
EPOKE Art Epoxy Resin is a versatile product and can be used not only for coating and casting on small projects but to also to make large river tables. The key properties in favour of EPOKE Art Epoxy Resin while being used with wood is its capability to bond very well with wood, low heat generation during large pours, very low shrinkage and excellent grind-ability and sandability.
8. What thickness can I cast while doing a river table pour at one go?
At an ambient temperature of around 25 deg C, you can pour upto 20mm thickness in a single pour, provided your wood is well primed and sealed. If the ambient temperature is higher, the recommended thickness per pour would be lower than 20mm. We would recommend you do some trials to establish what works best in your ambient conditions.
Note: First start with small pours to ensure you have complete control on how the wood and resin react with each other. Larger pours can sometimes be tricky and you may encounter unexpected results for reasons beyond your understanding. Always start small until you have a very good understanding of the resin, wood and other influencing factors. Overcoating can be done in 12 hours after applying the first coat.
9. Do I always have to prime and seal wood before using EPOKE Art Epoxy Resin?
YES, priming is very important. It ensures all the pores are sealed to avoid possibilities of bubbles appearing in the resin during pours. The primer layer also penetrates wood and acts like an anchor for the next layer of resin to bond with.
10. How do I prime and seal wood before using EPOKE Art Epoxy Resin to make a river table?
Mix Part A+B of EPOKE Art Epoxy Resin in the recommended ratio for 5 minutes and let it sit undisturbed for 10 minutes after, to ensure the bubbles escape.
Then use a paint brush to gently dab and swipe over the wood surface to evenly cover it with a thin coat of the resin mix. If the wood is very porous, you may keep reapplying until you notice reduced absorption of resin. Let the primer cure for at least 12 hours before applying the next coat.
11. Do I need to sand the primer before I apply the overcoat?
No, this would not be necessary. EPOKE Art Epoxy Resin has been designed to possess excellent intercoat adhesion, so you would not have to sand out a layer of the primer. That said, there is no harm in sanding the primer before further use.
12. What else do I have to keep in mind while using EPOKE Art Epoxy Resin to make river tables?
EPOKE Art Epoxy Resin, although strong and tough, does not become brittle and has a relatively higher modulus of Flexibility. Hence chipping and cracking during use is something you do not have to worry about.
EPOKE Art Epoxy Resin has poor adhesion to rubber, silicones, BOPP tape and certain plastics. You may choose to make your moulds using any one of these materials as the contact layer with the resin for easy release.
13. How do I get rid of bubbles after mixing Part A+B of EPOKE Art Epoxy Resin?
Firstly, try your best to avoid air entrapment during mixing of Part A and B by mixing it gently yet thoroughly. Once you are done mixing for 5 minutes, keep this mixture aside for 10 minutes undisturbed. EPOKE Art Epoxy Resin’s “Auto Bubble Release” will get to work and you will notice that 70-80% of the bubbles in the mix will rise to the surface and pop themselves. You may even use a gentle swipe with a hot air gun at this stage to pop the remaining bubbles on the surface.
Repeat the process after 10 minutes if you still notice bubbles.
14. What is the coverage of EPOKE Art Epoxy Resin?
1kg of mix (Part A+B), can cover 10 to 12 SqFt per mm thickness.
Example 1: If you are pouring a clear coat of about 2mm thickness over a canvas of dimensions
4ft X 2ft = 8 SqFt, you would require about 1.4 to 1.6kgs of the mix.
Example 2: If you are casting a table top solely with resin, of dimensions 6ft X 4ft (24 SqFt) with 1inch thickness (26mm approx.), you would require about 55 to 57kgs of the mix (average).
Note: Coverage values would greatly depend on the substrate that is being coated, run off and wastages. An unprimed and porous substrate can result in higher absorption of resin, resulting in lower coverage values. Any addition into castings like wood, stones or other artifacts can greatly increase coverage and reduce resin consumption.
15. Is EPOKE Art Epoxy Resin Food Grade Safe?