How to avoid bubbles from epoxy resin?

Bubbles are one of the biggest issues when you use the epoxy resin. No artist enjoys putting time into a piece and it comes out sticky and filled with bubbles.

Whether you are a beginner or have worked with resin before and want to perfect your project, here are our tips on how to prevent bubbles.

So, why do bubbles appear in epoxy resin? Understanding the reason can help prevent them from happening. There are some major sources of bubbles in epoxy resin.

1. When the resin is being mixed, air bubbles will be introduced.
2. Pouring too thick
3. Cold temperature
4. Reacts with the surface on which it is applied.

Our JDiction resin kit has a bubble release function that allows the bubbles to pop on their own once they reach the surface. But you need to wait for at least 25 minutes until all the bubbles rise, and it will decrease your work time. So, the best way to get a flawless, glass-like surface, we suggest doing these additional steps.

1. Mixing

Mix the resin smoothly, thoroughly, and consistently. At least 3-5 minutes. Scraping the sides and bottom of your mixing container. Patience is important. Do not whip the resin, it will cause more bubbles, and what’s more, it will lead to overheating.

2. Cold Temperature

Epoxy resin performs better at a warm temperature. The ideal temperature of the workspace and resin itself is about 72°- 85°F. At this temperature, the resin will be smooth, clear, and produce fewer bubbles when pouring and mixing. If the resin is cool, we suggest that you put the resin and hardener bottles in a warm bucket of water. To avoid water getting into the bottle, leave the caps on.

*  Please remember, if you use warm water to warm your resin, the working time will reduce from 45 to 30 minutes. The heat promotes a faster cure, and the curing progress will be shorter than usual. Make sure you have prepared everything. Pour the resin into the mold. Do not leave the warm resin in the mixing cup, it will be difficult to pour.

3. Too thick

Pouring the resin. The coat is no deeper than 1/8 inch at a time. This allows the bubbles to pop out on the surface. If an epoxy coat is applied too thickly, the air pockets will expand and form bubbles that will become trapped in the epoxy.

If you want a thicker layer, we suggest pouring several layers, waiting for about 3-5 hours between each layer to ensure the bubbles have disappeared.

You could also use a brush instead of pouring the epoxy. Make sure the brush is completely wet with resin to avoid bubbles being introduced into the epoxy.

4. Pouring out

Make sure the mixing container is close to the surface of your project. Pour the resin mixture slowly. Pouring from too far away will lead to air bubbles.

5. Clean the surface

Clean the surface carefully. For materials like wood or leaves, ensure it is completely dry. If it is not dry, the surface will affect the epoxy resin and air bubbles will appear. You can learn from YouTube videos on how to make the flowers dry fast.

If the bubbles still appear:

6. Use a heat gun

If the resin is still wet, heat can be applied to draw air bubbles to the surface. This can be done with a lighter, torch, or heat gun. The flame heats the resin surface instantly, thinning the resin and allowing bubbles to escape. But remember to keep 8 inches from the surface to remove bubbles. You could also try breathing or blowing gently thorough a straw above the areas that have bubbles.

7. Use a pin for large bubbles

For slightly larger bubbles, use a pin or toothpick to release the air. Push the pin into the bubbles, then wobble the pin back and forth to allow the bubble to pop. Keep checking over the next 1-2 hours to make sure additional bubbles do not appear. Make sure you have done this before the resin hardens, or it will affect the finish. 

After 1-2 days, check your project. Don’t worry if you found the bubbles in your resin. You can still use a drill or sandpaper to remove bubbles after the epoxy has hardened. Clear any debris and apply a second coat of resin to get a glassy, seamless finish.

Once you understand the process of eliminating the bubbles, it will be easier to create a crystal-clear finish. We hope these steps will give you the confidence to begin your first step working with epoxy resin and find a lot of fun with it. And if you are an expert and have other tips to remove bubbles, you are welcome to leave your comments below and we can discuss them together.