How To Color Epoxy: A Detailed Guide to Resin Coloring

If you do not add any color to epoxy, then you are going to end up with a slightly yellow hue. As a result, you are probably not going to like the outcome unless you are in a very specific situation. At the same time, epoxy is also one of the most versatile materials available today. If you add liquid or powder color into epoxye, you are able to create a resin colorant that is more aesthetically pleasing.

If you are able to color epoxy, you can enhance all of your do-it-yourself projects. You can also use epoxy coloring to add specific colors to tables, chairs, and other furniture items you may have around the house or office. You can also use paint, ink, and other household items in order to make your epoxy resin a bit more colorful and artistic. 

With all of this in mind, what do you need to do in order to color epoxy successfully?  In order to color epoxy resin, you need to figure out which method is going to work best for you. 

Remember that epoxy resin has a number of significant advantages. Even though it is true that you can create an entirely new surface using nothing but epoxy resin, and is commonly added to reinforce existing surfaces. For example, you may have a wood surface that is breaking with old age. You can extend the life of the surface by adding epoxy resin to it. At the same time, you have to make sure that you mix epoxy resin properly. Even though it is true that you can make a wide variety of colors using epoxy resin, you need to take the time to get the mixing ratio right. If you do not get the right mixing ratio, you could be disappointed with you wrong. Fortunately, there are multiple methods that you can use if you are trying to mix the epoxy resin. If you are doing this for the first time, do not hesitate to reach out to trained professionals and ask for assistance. It is difficult to mix epoxy resin; however, with a little bit of practice, everyone should be able to do this properly. Take a look at some of the helpful information below.

The first method of coloring epoxy resin takes advantage of tint, ink, or paint. There are numerous types of ink and paint that you can use to enhance the color of your final epoxy resin. A simple trip to the grocery store should reveal a wide variety of options when it comes to bringing your dreams to fruition. Do not hesitate to look at ink options as well. While it would not be advisable to start busting open ink cartridges from the printer and dumping them into the mixture, you can try out a few different types of epoxy to find the color you need. At the same time, you also need to be careful, making sure that you pick out the right color combination carefully. Remember that the finished product might look a little bit different when all is said and done. The steps involved in this method include: 

Gather the Materials

The first step is to purchase all of the materials you need to color the resin. When you are at the store, you need to look for paint or tint that has been specifically designed to color resin. Even though there are plenty of options available, most of them are not going to be designed specifically to color resin. In order to achieve the best results, you need to find paint or tint that is designed to bond with epoxy specifically. That way, you can bring out saturated colors that look the best with your coat paintings, including options that glow in the dark. This might be a nice way to enhance the quality of the final product if you are planning on adding a little bit of something different to the room. Take advantage of everything that epoxy resin has to offer to your project. 

It is possible for you to buy artificial dye that has been specifically designed to bind with epoxy. For example, you may want to use something called ResinTint. If you have questions or concerns about the specific type of dye you are supposed to purchase, visit a local crafting store and ask them for assistance. They should be able to assist you relatively easily. 

Mix the Resin Together

If you have not already mixed your epoxy resin, it is time to do so. Before you are able to add any colors to your epoxy resin color, you need to mix it with something called a hardening agent. If you are unsure of how to do this, take a look at the resin container. Figure out the exact ratio that you need in order to produce the proper resin.

When you are mixing the resin together, use rubber gloves and goggles to protect your eyes and skin during the process. Once you have mixed your resin, it is time to figure out how you can bring out the best color possible in your epoxy resin color. 

Pour Some of Your Resin Into a Mixing Cup

For this step, it is important for you to keep your safety gear on. Take one fluid ounce of the resin you have just mixed. Pour it into a mixing cup. Before you add all of your colorants to the rest of the resin, you need to make sure that you have the right ratio. Therefore, take this small mixing cup and combine it with a small amount of your coloring agent. Figure out exactly how much coloring agent you need to add to bring out the best results possible.

For example, you may want to use a measuring cup that comes with cough syrup. That way, you can easily measure the ratio of resin to the coloring agent that you need to produce the perfect color. 

Add Colorant to the Resin

Now that you have a good idea of how much color you need to add to the resin, go ahead and add the color to the rest of the resin. Mix the mixture using a toothpick or some other small stick. Ideally, you should add color until it falls somewhere between two and six percent of the total weight of the mixture. If you need help figuring this out, use a digital scale. That way, you can precisely weigh the color and the mixture itself. 

You should do everything you can to avoid going over six percent of the total weight of the mixture. If you add too much color to the mixture, you could end up disrupting the chemical process that gives the resin its durability. If you end up adding too little color, you may not like the outcome. When you first add color to the resin, try to err on the side of adding too little color, as you can always add more color later but you cannot take it out. 

Stir the Mixture for a Minute

Once you have added enough color, stir the mixture for about a minute. Do you want to stir the mixture to the point that there are no bubbles in it. That way, you can ensure that the color has been completely mixed into the resin. The new color will also be spread evenly throughout the mixture. If you end up applying resin when there are still air bubbles present, you are not going to have a smooth finish. Therefore, be patient and stir the mixture thoroughly. Once you cannot see any bubbles in the mixture, you should be finished and the color should be distributed evenly. 

Repeat the Process Until You Have the Desired Color

As you stir the mixture together, you may notice that the color gets a little bit lighter as the rest of the color spread out throughout the resin. It is possible that you may need to add more color in order to achieve the desired look. If this is the case, return them to the steps above and continue to add color to the resin. Of course, you do not want to add more than six percent of the total weight of the mixture; however, you may need to increase it if you started at two percent.

Once you have achieved the desired look, you should be able to apply your resin, creating a strong epoxy surface. 

Even though it might be more straightforward to create resin coloring using paint, ink, or tint, you can also use household items to achieve the same effects. The steps you will need to follow include: 

Start by Mixing the Clear Epoxy Resin Thoroughly

Similar to the first process, you should start by mixing your clear epoxy resin thoroughly. If you haven't already mixed your resin using a hardening agent, you will need to complete this process before you move forward. Take a look at the container to find the appropriate ratio of resin to hardener. As you begin to mix the resin together, do everything you can to protect your eyes and skin. Wear safety goggles and rubber gloves. 

Pour the Resin Into a Smaller Container

Next, similar to the above process, you will need to pour a small amount of resin into a smaller container. You want to add your coloring agent to a separate mixing container to ensure you like the results. Ensure that the cup you use has measurement markings on the side. That way, you can figure out the ratio you need when mixing your resin and coloring agent together later. Again, you can use a small cup from a cough syrup container for this step. 

Consider Reaching for Powdered Pigments, like Mica Powder

Take a look at the household agents you have laying around, such as pigment powder form. For example, you may have herbs, spices, and chalk. Even though this might sound a little bit unusual, they will actually do an exceptional job when it comes to mixing your resin with a coloring agent, making flow art. When the mixing process is finished, you may notice a grainy finish. Even though you might not want this in all situations, there is a chance that this could enhance the quality of the finished product. If you want to have a smooth finish, then you should try to stay away from powdered pigments. One of the most common spices that people use during the step is actually paprika. You can also experiment with several other granular spices that you may have located in your kitchen.

You Can Also Use Liquid Pigments, like Alcohol Inks

If you are looking for a more consistent finish, you can also use liquid agents. For example, you may want to reach for household dies or watercolor paint the children commonly use. You can easily add all of these to color pigments your colored epoxy resin. These agents will produce a much smoother finish in your color resin. Furthermore, they are significantly easier for amateurs to mix. If you are trying to do this yourself, you may want to consider these liquid agents. If you do not have watercolor paint, you can also use alcohol ink and nail polish. There are plenty of liquid agents that you can use to produce a smooth finish when the process is completed. 

Complete the Mixing Process

Once you have figured out the right ratio and the smaller container, you can mix your coloring agent with the rest of the colored epoxy resin similar to the step above. Limit the mixing ratio to less than six percent at the overall weight of the mixture. Remember that if you add too much coloring agent, you may disrupt the settling process of the colored epoxy resin, impacting its durability. After you add the coloring agent, stir the mixture thoroughly for about 1 minute until there are no bubbles remaining.

Add More Coloring Agent if Necessary

After this, you can decide if you need to add more mixing agent. When you are trying to mix these agents together, try to err on the side of adding closer to two percent than six percent because you can always add more coloring agent if you have to. On the other hand, if you add too much coloring agent, you cannot take it out. Once you like the finished product, you can proceed with the project. 

When you are coloring colored epoxy resin for the first time, it is easy to get the real. This is not an easy process, which is why a lot of people work with trained professionals instead. Some of the tips to keep in mind include: 

Use Concentrated Colors

Even though you might be hesitant to use relatively concentrated colors, these are better because you will not alter the mixing ratio. If you have to add a lot of color to the colored epoxy resin, you are going to throw off to liquid ratio between the colored epoxy and the coloring agent. This can disrupt the quality of the final product.

Always Mix a Smaller Amount First

Even though you might be eager to complete the rest of the project, you should always start by mixing a relatively small amount of the clear epoxy resin and coloring a bit together first. That way, you can figure out exactly what the ratio is before you move to the larger container. If you do not mix the agents together in a smaller container first, you could end up ruining the clear epoxy resin before the project even gets started. 

Try To Stay Away from Paints that Contain Water

Even though you might use watercolor paints, be careful that the paints themselves do not contain water. If you add water to the mixture, this can disrupt the bonding process between the coloring resin and hardening agent, potentially impact in the quality of the final product. 

Always Wear Safety Gear

Particularly if you are using household agents, you may not know exactly how your agents are going to react to the color epoxy resin. Therefore, always make sure that you wear appropriate safety gear. When you are mixing agents together, always wear safety goggles and gloves. That way, you can protect yourself appropriately if a bad reaction takes place. 

Think About the Impact of Light

Be careful about where you are mixing your agents together. Read the container of the coloring resin carefully before you get started. There is a chance that the resume react negatively to UV radiation, meaning that you may have to keep it out of the sunlight. If your coloring resin is UV sensitive, you may find that the hue will fade before the project even gets started.

If you are working with epoxy resin for the first time, it is important to be confident. Do not be hesitant when you are mixing your agents together. Otherwise, the project may take too long and you could end up throwing off the mixing ratio because you are not adding agents quickly enough. Even though you should always double-check the ratio changes before you get started, write everything down ahead of time. Then, plan for a successful project. Epoxy resin is a high-quality substance and it can it significantly improve the durability and longevity of whatever surface you are adding it to.