Measuring & Mixing Epoxy Resin Correctly
Resin is a chemistry recipe
Resin and hardener react to become solid - they must meet in the exact ratio the brand designed. Get this right and everything else is easy. Get it wrong and your piece stays sticky, soft or cloudy forever.
Read your brand's ratio first
| Ratio style | What it means | Example |
|---|---|---|
| By volume | Measure with cups/spoons | 1:1 means equal cups |
| By weight | Measure on a kitchen scale | 100 g resin to 80 g hardener |
A 1:1 by volume ratio is the most common in craft resin, but some brands mix 2:1 or 3:1, and some require weighing. Always follow exactly what your label says - never swap the ratio because it "looks right".
The mixing method
- Pour the resin part into your mixing cup
- Add the hardener part to match the ratio
- Stir with a flat craft stick for 3-5 full minutes, scraping the bottom and sides of the cup as you go
- Stop every minute to scrape cup walls - unmixed resin hides there
- Rest the cup for 4-5 minutes to let the first stream of bubbles rise
How do you know it is mixed?
Well-mixed resin looks completely clear and uniform - no swirls, clouds or streaks, and no slippery "oily" patches when you scrape the sides. Under-mixing is the number one cause of sticky resin.
Common ratio mistakes
- Using two cups and estimating by eye instead of measuring
- Mixing from the bottom of a nearly-empty bottle where ratios drift
- Stirring too fast, which traps air bubbles as you pour
- Splitting one mixed batch hours later - once mixed, use it now
Tip: Keep a written note of your resin brand's exact ratio taped to your supplies box. Future-you will not remember it.
Practical exercise
Practise a dummy mix (no colour):
- Measure one clean "test batch" of your resin and hardener
- Time yourself as you stir for five full minutes, scraping constantly
- Hold the cup to the light and confirm there are no streaks
- Pour it into a throwaway mold and let it cure as a scratch piece
Check your understanding
Why is the ratio important? Resin and hardener must react in the exact designed proportion; wrong ratios stay sticky or never harden properly.How long should you stir? 3-5 full minutes, scraping the bottom and sides constantly.What does properly mixed resin look like? Uniform, clear, with no streaks, clouds or oily patches.
Answer the questions out loud or on paper. If any are hard, re-read this lesson before moving on.
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