Welcome to our tutorial on crafting glow-in-the-dark resin creations!
Epoxy resin is a remarkable polymer that solidifies into a durable plastic when its two components are mixed. If mixed and applied correctly, it cures to a crystal-clear, glasslike finish that's completely transparent.
Epoxy Has a Versatile Appearance
While a coat of standard epoxy is a popular choice for projects like bar and tabletops, there's plenty of room for creativity! Altering certain aspects of the epoxy resin, either during the mixing process or before it cures, can lead to a variety of stunning effects.
Whether you're aiming for a look that's captivating, sophisticated, or downright unique, integrating embedments and specific colorants can transform your project. Epoxy resin is especially compatible with certain colorants, primarily known as epoxy powder pigments and epoxy liquid pigments.
In this guide, we're focusing on how to incorporate Glow-in-the-Dark Epoxy Pigments into your resin projects to achieve that mesmerizing glow-in-the-dark effect.
What Are Epoxy Powder Pigments?
Epoxy pigments are powdered colorants that infuse epoxy resin with vibrant, multi-hued effects. Available in a wide array of shades and textures, these pigments offer extensive possibilities for personalizing the appearance of your epoxy projects.
Many of these pigments are derived from mica powder, which is produced by finely grinding mica minerals. Known for their bright colors and reflective qualities, mica minerals are ideal for crafting vivid pigments. They are insoluble, maintaining their striking visual properties even when mixed into various mediums, including water, wax, and, notably, epoxy resin.
Epoxy pigments provide a lot of additional ways to personalizing your resin project, allowing you to create a truly one-of-a-kind custom finish. Whether aiming for bold saturation, gentle hues, or intriguing textures, the choice of pigment and the proportion mixed into the resin can dramatically alter the outcome.
And for those looking to create something dramatic, a glow-in-the-dark resin project is an undoubtedly eye-catching way to do so.
What are Glow-in-the-Dark Epoxy Powders?
Glow in the Dark Powders are renowned for their photoluminescent properties—when exposed to normal light, they appear as a light white hue, yet when all illumination is removed, the vibrant colors become visible!
Despite having denser consistencies than other pigments, each full-size container still holds 51g of powder regardless of its texture or density.
For a piece that truly stands out, you can combine glow-in-the-dark pigments with our regular ones. You’ll have color during the day and a unique glow at night—just make sure to experiment first with colors and different ratios until you find what works best for your project.
How to Make Glow-in-the-Dark Epoxy
Despite its extraordinary effect, glow-in-the-dark epoxy is actually created in a fashion similar to any other pigmented epoxy. Most of your effort will be spent in the mixing phase, in which it's essential you measure properly and blend your resin adequately.
Our step-by-step guide has 5 steps:
- Step #1: Gathering Your Materials
- Step #2: Preparing Your Epoxy Work Space
- Step #3: Creating a Batch of Glow-in-the-Dark Resin
- Step #4: Applying Your Resin Batch
- Step #5: Removing Air Bubbles
We'll explain each of these steps one by one in the sections below.
Step #1: Gathering Your Materials
Start by gathering all the essential tools and materials for your project. Our Epoxy Project Tools and Supplies Guide is a great resource to help you identify what you'll need.
For the best outcome, opt for a high-quality epoxy like our Primaloc Epoxy Resin. If you're tackling a larger project, measure your project area to determine the exact amount of resin required.
To achieve the glow-in-the-dark effect, you'll need a glow-in-the-dark pigment. Explore the options available in the Glow in the Dark Collection on our website to find the perfect match for your project.
Step #2: Preparing Your Epoxy Work Space
Choose a clean, uncluttered space in which to perform your project if possible. Find a practical place to put your materials and any tools you'll need so they're conveniently nearby but not in the way of your movements.
We also strongly recommend that you wear nitrile gloves and an N95 or KN95 respirator while working with epoxy, as the fumes from some resin brands can be mildly irritating or worse, and some people may have an unexpected allergy to skin contact with resin.
Step #3: Creating a Batch of Glow-in-the-Dark Resin
To create your a batch of glow-in-the-dark epoxy, you'll start by adding the hardener component to your mixing container, followed by the resin component.
First, Measure the Epoxy Batch
Each epoxy product has a particular ratio it needs to be mixed in. For our Primaloc Epoxy, it's 1:1, meaning that 16 fl oz of hardener would be mixed with 16 fl oz of resin. Some epoxies, on the other hand, use different ratios, such as 2:1, 3:1, and even 5:1. Consult the instructions included with your chosen brand of epoxy for this information.
Note: If you're using our Primaloc Epoxy Resin, you can find digital instructions here.
Then, Mix the Epoxy Batch
Once you've measured out your components, it's time to start mixing. Typically, this takes only a few minutes, whether solely by hand or in combination with a power drill. Again, consult your instructions for accurate information on how to mix your particular epoxy product.
Partway Through, Add Your Pigment
About halfway through the mixing process, you should add your glow-in-the-dark pigment. These colorants tend to be very potent, so start small and add more as desired. Continue mixing your batch, and the pigment will blend into the epoxy resin.
Note: For thin epoxy layers, it's usually wise to add a little extra pigment. The epoxy will often seem darker in the container while it's still concentrated, whereas it may appear lighter once it spreads out in a wide layer.
Step #4: Applying Your Resin Batch
When you're done mixing the epoxy batch, it's time to apply it. You'll have a limited time to do so, which is determined by the type of epoxy you're using (some epoxies provide you 5 minutes, others up to 45 minutes).
As usual, your epoxy's instructions will indicate how much working time you can expect for your resin batch.
Pouring Your Batch Onto a Substrate
Pouring resin onto a substrate is relatively simple; just tilt the epoxy container a few inches over the substrate and direct the flow of the resin by moving the container over uncovered substrate.
Many epoxy resins, including our premium Primaloc Epoxy, are naturally self-leveling and will spread out on their own until they reach equilibrium, resting at a pre-determined layer thickness.
Pouring Your Batch Into a Mold
Alternatively, if you intend to pour your resin into a mold, do so carefully and deliberately.
Depending on the shape/size, you may find it easier to let it settle on its own or to move the container over different areas to ensure smooth, even coverage.
Step #5: Removing Air Bubbles and Letting Your Resin Cure
For the final step, you'll remove air bubbles from the resin finish before it's had a chance to cure. After applying your mixed resin batch, give it a few minutes to settle, then ready your heat gun or torch.
From a few inches above the resin layer (don't get too close!), do a smooth, consistent pass over the entire coating. Be sure not to linger for more than a second to avoid potential heat damage.
For more information on removing air bubbles, see our guide here.
Letting Your Resin Cure
Finally, it's time to let the resin cure. This is the easiest part and requires the least interaction. Read your epoxy's instructions to determine what type of environment you need to maintain.
Most epoxy resins cure best in a 75°F environment with below 60% humidity. Maintain these conditions for optimal results.
After the curing time indicated in your instructions, you epoxy finish should be ready. Congratulations!
Primaloc Epoxy: Premium Epoxy for Premium Results
When it comes to epoxy resin, Primaloc Epoxy gets the job done. Our epoxy resin is premium-grade, with high performance in every category, including receptiveness to epoxy colorants.
Epoxy resin can be beautiful, strong, and long-lasting—which is why you shouldn't compromise on quality. With Primaloc Epoxy Resin, you get the ultimate finish in durability and visual appeal.
Protect your surfaces by giving them a rock-solid epoxy finish. Choose strong. Choose reliable. Choose Primaloc.