Resin has been quite the popular DIY project in the past few months and people are always coming up with new methods to use it.
You might be wondering if it is possible to give resin some beautiful color using food dye to amp up its look even more. Before doing that you should do thorough research on it to avoid any complications.
Can you use food coloring in resin?
You can use food coloring in epoxy resin to give it some beautiful color at a budget-friendly cost. However, do keep in mind that resin is toxic and you have to be very careful when mixing food coloring in. It will also not give desired results like liquid dyed colors aimed for resin would.
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When it comes to resin, it is always suggested to use liquid dyes or pigment powders that are specifically aimed at resin. This is because any other form of dye can end up not mixing well with the resin and as a result give you a streaky finish which is not an attractive look.
However, if you are on a tight budget then you can certainly try to use other types of dyed but be very careful since resin is toxic. You have to make sure and wear gloves and goggles and work someplace where it is very well ventilated.
Can you use gel food coloring in resin?
If you are a beginner then you can surely get away with using gel food coloring in resin. It is better if you are aiming for a light color because any more than three drops might end up making the final product streaky.
Keep in mind that it is quite difficult to mix and the final color will not be that vibrant. Even though it will not mess up your resin curing, there are also chances of you coming across color dots.
Can you use food coloring in UV resin?
If your food coloring is oil-based or powder-based then you can use them to color your UV resin. These oil-based pigments are compatible with the consistency of UV resin and thus have a better chance of mixing well and curing properly.
If your food color is water-based then it will not be as compatible and you will have trouble mixing it since the base of resin is different. As a result, you might end up getting a streaky finish.
Is it safe to use food coloring in resin?
The resin itself is a toxic element. Adding food coloring to it will not make it any better. However, you should still be careful when using food coloring as it can cause a bad reaction with resin.
Generally, it is quite safe to use though since there are no harmful toxins in food coloring. Do ensure to wear gloves and goggles at all times to protect yourself. Alongside that, stay in a room that is well ventilated to avoid inhaling any plausible toxic fumes.
How do you dye epoxy with food coloring?
Food coloring is not as effective compared to dyes that are specifically meant for epoxy. This is because food coloring is runnier and does not cure well with epoxy.
This is why you should follow certain steps to get the best possible color that you can. Make sure to wear gloves and goggles for your safety purposes.
Choose color and mix epoxy ratio:
Take your preferred food color: Adding only food color will end up making your resin transparent. If that is not the look you are aiming for then make sure to use white pigment to make your epoxy opaque. Take a 1:1 ratio of epoxy of your brand of choice.
Add the color:
Add in your dye: Take your food color and add in one to two drops of it inside the epoxy and mix it well with a toothpick.
Keep mixing until it is blended properly with the epoxy mixture. If you want to make the mixture opaque then add in only half a drop of white pigment and mix it thoroughly.
Do not add too much food color or white pigment as epoxy does not work well with moisture and it might end up becoming streaky.
Let it rest:
Let it sit for a bit: When you are done with the mixture, wait for the bubbles to come up. After that, pour it into your mold when you are happy with the outcome and set it aside.
Remove the mold:
Remove it from the mold: Keep your mold aside for at least twenty-four hours and let it cure. Once it hardens, pop it out of the mold very carefully. You can glaze them to give them a layer of additional shine.
Can you use any dye for resin?
It is not recommended to use just any dye for resin. You have to ensure that the dye you are using is compatible with the base of your resin. Water-based dyes or oil paints are specifically very incompatible with resin.
They do not mix well and oftentimes end up producing a very streaky finish which is not that attractive. Not only that, but using water-based dyes also means that there is a chance the resin product might end up cracking in the future, ruining your product entirely.
Dyes of higher quality or ones specifically made for resin will be the best to work with and offer the best results.
What can I use to color resin?
It is best to use colors aimed towards dyeing resin as the colorants are compatible with the resin base. However, if you are tight on budget then there are other great options you can try instead.
Colorants:
Many companies make colorants specifically designed to dye resin. This is the best as it is made of the same base as resin and thus is very compatible. It will mix and cure well as well as give a vibrant color.
Acrylic paint:
Use acrylic paints that are more on the pricier side as they are very concentrated and thus it will give a very vibrant color with just a few drops.
Ensure to use ones that have less than 10% acrylic as any more than that will throw off the consistency of the resin and make it difficult to cure.
Using very cheap acrylics will make it watery and thus hard to mix with the resin so it is best to use one with a fluid consistency.
Mica powder and eyeshadows:
Mica powders or old eye shadows are great to add shine to your resin and make it fancier.
They come in small packets and are very cheap. Add however much you need to get your desired pigment and it also mixes very well with resin to give a shimmery look.
Can you use nail polish to color resin?
You should not use nail polish to color resin as it is not compatible with the base of the resin. It will not combine with the resin and start to form clumps.
Additionally, if you use clear nail polish then it will also turn your resin an unattractive amber color. Do not use acetone to thin out the consistency of the nail polish as not only is it flammable which will make it very risky, it will also not let the resin cure properly.
Can you use eyeshadow to color resin?
Yes, you can most certainly use eyeshadow to color your resin. Not only is it cheap as you can use old eyeshadows lying around, but it also helps to amp up the look of your resin and give it a beautiful shiny appearance.
Just ensure to crush it properly and mix it well with your resin to achieve your desired look.
Can you use glitter in resin?
As long as you are using fine glitter then you will not have a problem mixing it with your resin. This will ensure that the mixture is even and there are no unattractive clumps. Also, wait for some time before you add the glitter in and mix it with your resin mixture.
Can you use acrylic color in resin?
If you use a high-quality acrylic color that is not too watery then you will not have any problem mixing it in with your resin.
However, acrylic paint might end up ruining the matte finish that resin products tend to have. In that case, you can glaze your final product to receive the glossy finish.
How to color resin transparent?
Using mica powder will help you achieve that transparent look. Mica powder is of a very thin layer and this feature will help you add translucency to your resin. Alternatively, you can also consider using transparent resin dyes to achieve that look.
Final Thoughts:
Food color is a good alternative for beginners with a tight budget to experiment around with resin. However, if you are an experienced crafter then you should consider looking into better alternatives as using food coloring might end up making your resin streaky.