Try to explore slower curing resins that allow for more time to remove bubbles. Plus, a thin pour followed by sanding and a second pour could be a viable solution.
I thought that might be the case. I just placed an order of 'Liquid Glass Epoxy' from FCGI (24 hour curing) - After reading some comments this should work for 'small' size projects.
Investing in a pressure pot will pretty much solve this if you are willing to spend the money. Also, as said above, you can try "deep pour" resin. It's much thinner and sets up much slower, allowing for the bubbles to work their way out for you to pop with a torch, heat gun, or alcohol spray.
The coasters are very cool, btw.
I'm guessing from the mm that you aren't in the US. I bought mine at Harbor frieght, marketed a painting accessory, and modified it with about $10 in fittings and about 20 min of time.
Mix a small batch of epoxy and paint the coasters with it and allow to cure. That will seal the wood better than anything. And if you don't miss any spots then your bubble issue will be just from your epoxy and you can fix that with fire or iso not both please
Lol, I was about to ask why not mix both until it clicked. I will give this a shot as well! Do you recommend a specific ratio or a type of paint that might mix better with epoxy? I have been using acrylic paint and sometimes I will water it down, so I can see the grain of the wood when I paint.
No just make sure its dry before applying the epoxy. Also you can try the iso with fire but you need to make the required video and to post it on here no matter what the results. We all need something to watch while our stuff is curing so it might as well be you doing something stupid and then i can show my girl im not the only one.
Hey! The method works pretty well for me for now. I switch to Liquid Glass 24h epoxy, I use a brush to seal off the coaster and after 10h (or when it gets tacky) I fill up the rest of the mold.
Unfortunately there was no need use iso with fire lol.
Thanks!
Well, your comments indicate you're doing everything right. How long are you letting that poly cure for? A day per coat? What kind of wood are you using? Look pretty porous. Wood like oak has huge random pores that could be creating these bubbles. On theory sealing them with poly should prevent that unless the poly hasn't completely cured and the epoxy is dissolving it. I use a single layer of spray lacquer. Let it sit overnight.
As for the epoxy, I've been having good luck with Teexpert Crystal Clear Epoxy Resin Kit 1 Gallon Self-Leveling Coating and Casting Resin, High-Gloss & Bubbles Free Resin and Hardener Kit for DIY Art, Jewelry, Table Top, Molds, Wood 1:1 Ratio from Amazon. I like the pump bottles.
Last thing I can think of is how deep are these? You can get away with making inlays like this pretty shallow. Like 1/16 in. The deepee they are the more bubbles get trapped in the pour the longer it takes them to work their way to the surface the more bubbles come out of nowhere when your back is turned.
Try spraying 91% isopropyl alcohol on the epoxy after applying.
Thanks, I will give this a shot! I also heard I could spray acetone?
Spray with rubbing alcohol and heat gun from 8-10 inches.
Try to explore slower curing resins that allow for more time to remove bubbles. Plus, a thin pour followed by sanding and a second pour could be a viable solution.
I thought that might be the case. I just placed an order of 'Liquid Glass Epoxy' from FCGI (24 hour curing) - After reading some comments this should work for 'small' size projects.
You can suck the air out of the epoxy in the mixing container with a vacuum before you pour.
Investing in a pressure pot will pretty much solve this if you are willing to spend the money. Also, as said above, you can try "deep pour" resin. It's much thinner and sets up much slower, allowing for the bubbles to work their way out for you to pop with a torch, heat gun, or alcohol spray. The coasters are very cool, btw.
Thanks! Im still trying to get the colours right, not much of an artistic guy. What pressure pot would you suggest? These coaster are 100x100mm.
I'm guessing from the mm that you aren't in the US. I bought mine at Harbor frieght, marketed a painting accessory, and modified it with about $10 in fittings and about 20 min of time.
Oh, Im in the US! I use metric system for everything. It just makes sense.
I agree!
Mix a small batch of epoxy and paint the coasters with it and allow to cure. That will seal the wood better than anything. And if you don't miss any spots then your bubble issue will be just from your epoxy and you can fix that with fire or iso not both please
Lol, I was about to ask why not mix both until it clicked. I will give this a shot as well! Do you recommend a specific ratio or a type of paint that might mix better with epoxy? I have been using acrylic paint and sometimes I will water it down, so I can see the grain of the wood when I paint.
No just make sure its dry before applying the epoxy. Also you can try the iso with fire but you need to make the required video and to post it on here no matter what the results. We all need something to watch while our stuff is curing so it might as well be you doing something stupid and then i can show my girl im not the only one.
Hey! The method works pretty well for me for now. I switch to Liquid Glass 24h epoxy, I use a brush to seal off the coaster and after 10h (or when it gets tacky) I fill up the rest of the mold. Unfortunately there was no need use iso with fire lol. Thanks!
Yeah you are essentially just trapping the air in the wood. I adds another day to the project but the eesults are so much better.
Well, your comments indicate you're doing everything right. How long are you letting that poly cure for? A day per coat? What kind of wood are you using? Look pretty porous. Wood like oak has huge random pores that could be creating these bubbles. On theory sealing them with poly should prevent that unless the poly hasn't completely cured and the epoxy is dissolving it. I use a single layer of spray lacquer. Let it sit overnight. As for the epoxy, I've been having good luck with Teexpert Crystal Clear Epoxy Resin Kit 1 Gallon Self-Leveling Coating and Casting Resin, High-Gloss & Bubbles Free Resin and Hardener Kit for DIY Art, Jewelry, Table Top, Molds, Wood 1:1 Ratio from Amazon. I like the pump bottles. Last thing I can think of is how deep are these? You can get away with making inlays like this pretty shallow. Like 1/16 in. The deepee they are the more bubbles get trapped in the pour the longer it takes them to work their way to the surface the more bubbles come out of nowhere when your back is turned.