How to Get Rid of Microbubbles in Epoxy Resin

Epoxy resin artistry is as much about technique as it is about vision. From beginners to seasoned artists, everyone is in search of that perfect, bubble-free finish. To ensure your epoxy resin project remains as immaculate as your vision, follow these expert insights.

Workspace Temperature: Create in a space where the ambient temperature is room temperature, or between 72°-85°F. Ideally, try to be closer to 78°. At the right temperature, your resin remains free from a cloudy or milky appearance.

Warming the Resin: Cold resin has a taffy-like consistency and is more likely to trap microbubbles. Warm the bottles in a lukewarm water bath before mixing, but remember, warmer resin has a shorter working time.

Mixing Ratio: Always measure your epoxy resin as accurately as possible. Use a container that has clear markings of millileters or ounces which helps improve your accuracy. Don't just eyeball it. Many epoxy resins are developed as a 1:1 mixing ratio by volume, but always check with your supplier first.

Stirring Strategy: Stir smoothly and consistently, scraping the sides and bottom. Avoid whipping the mixture, which introduces unnecessary bubbles. Slow and steady. You can also try using metal stir sticks or different shapes which might help.

Pouring Practice: Gently pour the mixture from a close height. High pours introduce more air. Pouring too thick can trap bubbles; the recommended thickness for epoxy resins can range so it might be best to pour in layers.

Torching: Right after pouring, use a propane torch to quickly sweep across the surface and remove bubbles. Torches heat the resin's surface quickly, making it thinner and allowing bubbles to escape. Be sure to not overheat it, only a quick pass is necessary.

Heat Guns: These are better suited for silicone molds. Direct flames can damage the molds, whereas a heat gun provides gentler heat. They aren't always as effective as a torch, but still a great tool to have.

Isopropyl alcohol: You can spritz a small amount of isopropyl alcohol onto the surface to help release bubbles. It needs to be a fine mist and should only be a small spray. Warning: do not use a torch or heat gun immediately after isopropyl alcohol.