How to get bubbles out of resin - Istoyo

Hand up if you hate bubbles in resin.

Me too.

Few things exist that are more satisfying than creating a bubble-free resin piece that is flawlessly cured. But finding bubbles in your resin during resin curing completely ruins the look of your project. It is a very common issue that when you mix resin with the hardener, it develops some bubbles and appears cloudy. 

What causes bubbles in resin?

Bubbles can be caused by a variety of factors, including mixing too quickly, pouring from a height, temperature, and poor mold preparation.

How to prevent bubbles in resin?

To minimize or prevent bubbles in your resin projects, consider the following tips:

1.Choose the right resin for your project.

This tip is #1 for a reason.

There’s a big difference in resin formulas. Certain types of epoxy hold onto bubbles whereas others don’t.  90% of your resin bubble problems can be eliminated by buying the right resin for what you’re making.

2. Mix your resin slowly and carefully using a stirring tool like a toothpick or a stir stick. You can also use a mechanical mixer to ensure meticulous mixing.

3. Pour resin from a low height and close to the surface, allowing the resin to gradually build up to avoid bubbles.

4. Maintain a stable temperature and humidity level in your workspace.

5. Thoroughly clean and prepare your resin mold before use to remove debris or moisture that could cause bubbles.

How to remove bubbles in resin?

If bubbles do occur, there are a few methods for eliminating them:

1. Use of a heat gun, a torch, or hot water bath can be effective for removing bubbles that appear on the surface of the resin as it dries.

2.For smaller bubbles, try gently poking them with a toothpick or needle to break them.

3.Place your resin cup on a heating pad or a heated mug warmer to keep the mixture warm and promote bubble elimination.

4.Decrease the surface tension by dusting a powder on the surface. Dust resin powders onto the surface of your mold before adding resin. Tap out any extra before pouring.

5.Stirring Resin with the ISTOYO Resin Stirrer.

The most effective way to eliminate bubbles from resin is by mixing with the ISTOYO resin stirrer. This resin stirrer is an easy-to-use, handheld resin mixer that perfectly combines both parts of the resin, reduces bubbles, and ensures a smooth consistency and even pour into your mold.

6.Releasing Bubbles with a Vacuum Pump

By applying these techniques and tips, along with utilizing vacuum pumps, stirring tools, heating pads, and other equipment, you'll be able to create beautiful, bubble-free resin projects such as jewelry, coasters, and countertops.

7.Use Rubbing Alcohol to Pop Bubbles in Resin

If you notice bubbles on the surface of freshly poured resin, gently spritz the top with rubbing alcohol. Use a spray bottle that has a fine mist option as opposed to a concentrated stream; the force of a concentrated spray may penetrate the surface of the resin, which will cause irregularities in curing.

8.This is another method that works best when you are working with a smaller project, such as a small river board, jewelry, and small molds. Insert the drinking straw into the and gently blow. The air movement should cause the bubble to pop, just keep in mind these needs to be done before the curing process begins.

Final Thoughts

Working with resin has its challenges; if you mix too fast, you’ll get bubbles. If you pour resin that’s too cold, you’ll get bubbles and potentially a poorly mixed product.

Don’t let this intimidate you! There are plenty of ways (at least seven!) to remove bubbles from your resin piece without having to scrap it; and, if you pay attention to your mixture in the very first steps when you mix resin and hardener, you can avoid bubbles right off the bat!

We’d love to see your resin pieces in our Facebook Group!

Other Resources

How to Safely Use Epoxy Resin: A Simple Guide: https://istoyo.com/blogs/articles/how-to-safely-use-epoxy-resin-a-simple-guide

UV Light for Resin: Everything You Need to Know: https://istoyo.com/blogs/articles/uv-light-for-resin