Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 2: Using paint, ink, or tint
• Method 2 of 2: Coloring resin with household items
• Necessities

Epoxy resin without any added dyes tends to end up with a light yellow shade that leaves a lot to be desired for most people. However, by adding liquid or powdered colorant to epoxy, you can make a beautiful resin that can be used to enhance your DIY jobs or add color to table tops, chairs, and other furniture in the home. You can use traditional dyes such as paint and ink or experiment with different household items to make the resin more colorful and artistic.

To step

Method 1 of 2: Using paint, ink, or tint

1. Buy a paint or shade specifically designed for use in resin. While there are many paints, inks and shades available on the market, most are not specifically intended for use in coloring resin. For best results, buy a paint or shade designed to bond with resin and bring out particularly saturated colors.
   • A tint is an artificial colorant used to change the color of an object. Examples of dyes specifically intended for use with resin are ResinTint and ArtResin.
   • You can buy resin shades online or at almost any hobby store.
2. If you haven't already, mix the resin. You must mix the epoxy resin with a hardener before adding the colorant to it. Follow the instructions on the resin packaging to determine the correct resin to hardener ratio.
   • Wear eye protection (e.g. safety goggles) and rubber gloves during this procedure to protect your eyes and skin.
   • If you have already mixed the resin and want to color the remaining resin, you can skip this step.
3. Pour a small amount of resin into a 30 ml mixing cup. Before adding the dye to the resin, you will want to test it with a small amount of resin to make sure it gives a color you like. Use a mixing cup with volume measurements on the side for easier measuring.
   • For example, a small measuring cup used to put in cough syrup works very well for testing resin dyes.
4. Add the dye so that it makes up 2% to 6% by weight of the mixture. Slowly add the paint, ink or resin to the mixing bowl, using a toothpick or other small stick to stir the mixture. You can roughly estimate how much to add to make 2% to 6% of the weight of the mixture, or use a digital scale to precisely weigh the dye and mixture.
   • Do not exceed the 6% weight limit, as adding so much colorant can interfere with the delicate chemical process that takes place in resin, which is necessary for proper use.
   • It doesn't hurt to add so little dye that it makes up less than 2% by weight of the mixture. However, this may not be enough dye to get a different color in the resin.
   • If you are not sure how much food coloring to add, put in less than what you think you will need. If it's not enough, you can always add more.
5. Stir for about one minute, making sure there are no air bubbles in the mixture. You need to make sure that the dye is completely mixed with the resin and that the new color is all over the mixture. Stir the resin until smooth and without bubbles to ensure a smooth finish when applying.
6. Adjust the amount of dye to get the color you want. If the newly colored mixture is not as colored as you actually wanted, add more food coloring to the mixture and stir again. If the color is more than you want it to be, start the process over and add less food coloring to the mixing bowl until you achieve the desired effect.
   • If changing the amount of dye does not produce satisfactory results, consider using a different type of liquid food coloring or a non-liquid food coloring that you already have at home.
7. Repeat this process with the rest of the epoxy resin. Once you have achieved the results you wanted in the small pitcher, you can now repeat the process to safely color the rest of the resin. Make sure to use the same ratio of food coloring that you did with the 30ml mixture.
   • For example, if you used 7.5ml of resin in the mixing bowl to test the colorant and the total amount of resin is 60ml, you will need to multiply the amount of colorant you added to the mixing bowl by eight to determine the amount you want. in the rest of the resin.

Method 2 of 2: Coloring resin with household items

1. Make sure the epoxy resin is mixed. If you have not already mixed the resin with a hardener, do so before proceeding. Follow the instructions that come with the resin to determine the correct ratio of resin and hardener.
   • Protect your eyes and skin by wearing safety glasses and rubber gloves when performing this process.
2. Pour some of the resin into a 30 ml cup. You should test the dye in a separate mixing cup to see how it affects the resin before adding it to the entire mixture. For best results, use a mixing cup with volume measurements on the side.
   • A good cup to use is, for example, the measuring cup that comes with the cough syrup.
3. Use pigment powder to leave small particles in the finished mixture. Pigment powders such as chalk, toner powder, and even herbs and spices not only color the resin, but also give a grainy finish that can enhance your design.
   • Do not use pigment powder if you want the colored resin to have a smooth finish.
   • Paprika may be the most commonly used spice for resin coloring, but feel free to experiment with other gritty spices in your kitchen to see which one works best for you and your project.
4. Color with liquid pigments for a smoother and more consistent finish. Dyes such as children's water colors or home dyes can also be used to color epoxy resin. These produce a much smoother finish in the resin and are undoubtedly easier for amateurs to mix with epoxy resin.
   • Alcohol-based nail polish and ink are also often used to color epoxy resin.
5. Stir in the dye so that it is less than 6% by weight of the mixture. Whatever dye you use, make sure you don't add so much dye that it interferes with the chemical reaction that naturally takes place in resin. Try adding an amount of colorant to the resin while stirring that makes up 2% to 6% of the final mix.
   • If you're not sure how much food coloring to add, start with a little bit and increase the amount until you get the color you want.
   • Stir the mixture for about one minute, making sure there are no air bubbles in the final result.
6. Repeat this process with the rest of the resin. Add more coloring to the resin until it gives the color effect you are looking for. When you are happy with the color of the resin in the pitcher, add that colorant to the rest of your resin, making sure to use the same ratio of colorant as the 30ml mix.
   • If you can't get the effect you want, consider using a different kind of colorant instead of a different amount.

Necessities

• Resin tint or paint
• Hardener
• Safety glasses
• Rubber gloves
• Mixing cup
• Toothpick
• Digital scale
• Pigment powder
• Liquid pigments