Here are some ways in which to handle liquid resin over a vertical surface, such as the edge of a canvas or wooden panel. There isn’t one size fits all with this, how you do it is up to you, it’s a matter of preference, both from a the process you follow to the final products perspective. Our best advice is to experiment, try out each technique, give them a little practice, and then you can see which you prefer.
1) LET THE RESIN RUN OVER THE EDGE/DOWN THE SIDES AND RUB IT IN:
This is probably the easiest technique, which lets face it, who doesn’t love easy sometimes! Simply let the epoxy resin run over the outermost edges of your piece and down the sides, and then rub it in and smooth it out with a gloved hand.
Note: Before you apply any resin, it is a good idea to tape off the underside of the piece so that the drips that collect on the bottom will pull right off with the tape. And make sure your work is raised off the table when you are using this technique so you don't glue it down to the table permanently, make sure your table is covered, you will get resin on the table if not!
This technique creates an unpolished finished look, which some people may like and some may not. To make it a little more polished looking, you could try smoothing it again and again after 15 minute intervals, and quickly running a torch over the sides to thin and smooth the Craft Resin out.
Finally, pull off the tape on the underside within 24 hours for the least amount of struggles.
2) CREATE A DAM WITH TAPE:
Another way to resin our artwork, is to mask off the edges with strong wide tape, leaving a ridge above so that it creates a low barrier for the wet resin to pool in. This techniques works great, especially if you use frogtape a few times around, folded over on itself so that the non-sticky side also faces in where the ridge is.
In 4-6 hours after you've poured your Craft Resin, pull off the tape. Timing is critical here because this is when the resin has set up but is still flexible; you'll be able to pull the tape off with minimal issues at this point in time. You will be able to pull it off the next day as well, but it will take a bit more elbow grease.
Once you pull the tape off, you'll notice the resin has formed a meniscus, where it curves up a bit around the perimeter due to surface tension, so you will have this little curve to clean up afterwards.
If you have the right tools, like a router table and bits, you can cut the top edges at a 45 degree angle for a really professional finish.
Alternatively, in the absence of a router table, you could simply use an X-Acto knife with a new sharp blade and run it along the meniscus before the resin is 24 hours old (when it is still soft enough for a knife to go through it somewhat easily).
Just like anything, take your time, have patience and practice, and you'll wind up with a pleasing result.
3) TRIM THE EDGES WITH A TABLE SAW:
This is the most professional looking way to finish your edges, but it requires a table saw. This method also requires that you are working on wooden panels as opposed to canvas.
Start by taping off the edges as outlined above in #2. Once the resin is cured, you can machine it, meaning you can cut it and drill it with power tools without concern.
Set up your table saw and lock the guide into place so the artwork will run smoothly along the table at the perfect spot. Trim off a blade's width around the perimeter, sawing through the resin + artwork + wooden support combined. The resin will cut cleanly at a perfect 90 degrees and you will be able to see a lovely cross-section side of the resin. The wood will be showing as the finished edge, or you can paint it as desired.
4) SAND IRREGULAR CURED RESIN AND THEN PAINT:
This technique is fairly self-explanatory. Resin your artwork, allowing it to fall over the edges. Once it has cured for at least 24 hours, use a power hand sander to make the edges perfectly smooth, then paint the edges whatever colour you like.
5) DOME THE CRAFT RESIN, AVOIDING THE SIDES ALTOGETHER:
Unlike many epoxy resins, Craft Resin can dome up at the edge of wherever it's applied, meaning it creates a soft curve between the surface of the artwork up to the natural level height of the resin.
Doming is easy to achieve, it just takes a bit of patience. By pouring the Craft Resin in the center of your piece and working slowly outward, the resin is viscous enough to only go where you guide it, so you can just guide it out to the very edge of the artwork without going over the edge. Then paint the edge whatever colour you like.
This technique looks very professional. It should be noted however that this will only work on wooden panels where the edges form a sharp 90 degree corner.
Next week we’ll talk about how to finish the edges of coasters/jewellery. How to sand any edges that have got blobs or run over and what to use to pimp them up with some colourful edging like gold or metallic edges.
Team Craft Resin
