Caring for Resin and Other FAQs

Oh, yay! You scanned the QR code at my booth. Welcome. Here are the many things I tell to people at my shows about resin.

It looks so delicate. I don't want my kids to touch it.

That is not a question, but thank you for your courtesy. You are a lovely parent. However, resin is very durable. It's like glass, but without the drama of breaking and slicing and cleaning up that mess. My 11-year-old has had several of my pieces for years. She and our two cats have knocked them over many times. No breakage. Your kiddos can absolutely pick out a magnet.

Haven't snapped off a beak yet.

How do I clean it?

Avoid harsh cleaners! Soap and water should do the trick. Isopropyl alcohol, acetone and even vinegar can soften the resin and leave it sticky. So avoid those or other commercial cleaners.

What if it gets scratched?

Resin is very durable, so it won't scratch easily. That's not to say that it can't happen. I recommend the cleaner The Pink Stuff, a sock, and some elbow grease. This mild cleanser will buff your resin to a shine. (It's also a really great pet-safe cleaner in general.)

Can I use this coaster as a trivet?

Absolutely! Most resins can withstand heat up to 300F. It should be absolutely fine as a trivet on the table, but I wouldn't use it as a trivet for a hot pan.

Will it yellow?

After a good bit of searching, I found a resin that is resistant to yellowing. In my studio, some test pieces have been sitting in a south-facing window non-stop for three years. No hit of yellow. If you have your coaster sitting in a sunny window to catch the light, will it be a little yellow in 20 years? Possible. Alas, the sun is more powerful than I can rein.

My lid is stuck. What can I do?

Put the jar in hot water. This should make the lid pliable enough to come off or go back on, whichever issue you are having. If it doesn't work the first time, try hotter water. I've had to do this with a few boxes after shows if they were sitting in the sun all day.

This looks really cool! How can I get started?

There are a lot of websites and YouTube videos that cover the supplies and beginner tips. I want you to know two things before you start: 1) Resin can make you very sick. 2) Have a plan for cleaning.

Let's start with the serious one. You need to wear a ventilator and latex gloves when working with any type of resin. Even non-toxic resin produces fumes when mixed. The non-toxic resins don't have cancer-causing chemicals, but the fumes (even those you can't smell), can cause other respiratory issues. Likewise, the resin needs to cure in a ventilated space away from pets and children. It is still producing fumes until it is fully cured.

You absolutely need to wear gloves because you can develop a severe skin reaction to resin that can make some medical care difficult in the future. Take these two safety precautions, and you should be fine.

Now let's talk clean-up. You have to wear junky clothes because resin will not come out of fabric. Let's say you got some resin on your arm above your amazing protective gloves. I've done it. You will want isopropyl alcohol or acetone or Goo Gone and a rough towel you don't care about. Rub the cleaning agent of your choice on your skin (it's not great for your skin, but aren't you glad that you only have to do this for this little spot instead of your entire hand?) and then rub it off with the towel. Wash asap.

As for cleaning your tools, the best thing to do is to wait for the resin to dry. (I am going to assume that you did this with a plastic drop-cloth or silicone over your workspace and not just at your dining table.) I use reuseable silicone tools, so after 8 hours, I can peel the resin off. If you wait several days, you can still crack it off, but it will be sharp and may damage your tools. Clean any fine particles off with packing tape. You can also use disposable tools. Some people will just let the dried resin build up on a stick or in a cup since it won't contaminate anything once dry. Up to you. None of the tutorials cover clean up, and I was a whiny disaster after my first time pouring.