Use a Heat Gun or Torch for Resin Art

Do I really need to utilize a torch for surface bubbling in my resin?

In short, Aye a torch is the all-time tool to become rid of bubbles in epoxy resin. There are other methods, including poking with a pivot or blowing through a straw, only these are dull and ineffective. A hair dryer or heat gun doesn't become hot plenty to remove bubbles efficiently and can accident grit all over your moisture resin. A butane or propane torch, on the other mitt, is easy to use and provides the estrus, control and intensity to remove bubbles for a flawless, pro finish!

If y'all're intimidated by the thought of using a torch ... please don't be.
From how to fill up them and when to utilise them, we are going to walk you through everything you need to know about using a torch to eliminate bubbles easily and efficiently.

Removing Bubbles: A Torch vs Other Methods

Yous've seen the states use torches in all of our videos and yous may be wondering why they are the best line of defence confronting bubbles.

Let us explain... Afterward you've carefully measured and mixed equal amounts of resin and hardener and you've poured and spread your resin, you're going to notice bubbles rising to the surface of the resin. This is because our clever chemist formulated ArtResin with a bubble release agent. A bubble release amanuensis allows for piece of cake de-gassing to encourage bubbles to ascension to the surface immediately and so you lot can torch them out before the resin starts to thicken and cure.

Some of these bubbles will popular on their ain one time striking the surface, but to get a flawless, drinking glass like surface, we'll need to go rid of the rest. There are few different approaches to getting rid of resin bubbling. Permit's go through a few of the more pop methods:

Method i: Popping Bubbles With A Pin

Bubbling volition pop when you poke them with a pin or a toothpick, aye,merely it'due south an unrealistic way of way of going near it and would be impossible to cover a large piece of artwork in 45 minutes ( ArtResin'south working time )
VERDICT:  Utilize a toothpick or pivot for last minute affect-ups only :)

Method 2: Bravado On Bubbles

Blowing on bubbles can crusade the bubbles to pop, this is truthful, but it's also a super dull procedure. This method might piece of work on very small pieces similar jewellery, but just like with popping bubbles, it's not a realistic method for nigh pieces of artwork.
VERDICT:  Not efficient

Method iii: Using A Pilus Dryer

While information technology's true that heat definitely helps in the fight against bubbles, the heat of a hair dryer just isn't intense plenty.  And just recall of all that grit and pilus in your hair dryer, or floating around in the air, that you're going to be diggings all over your vulnerable, wet artwork. That'south just asking for trouble! Noooo cheers!
VERDICT:  Save the hair dryer for your blowout.

Method 4: Using A Estrus Gun

Okay ... things are looking upwardly. The heat from a heat gun is significantly hotter than you'd get from a pilus dryer and it volition certainly get rid of bubbling more efficiently than blowing through a straw or poking with a toothpick, but once again, yous're blowing a lot of air onto your moisture resin, which brings with information technology the very proficient chance of bravado grit all over it too.
VERDICT:  Good offset immature grasshopper, only nosotros're not quite Samurai level still

💡TIP:  Pilus dryers and rut guns blow air around so some artists use this to their advantage when making flow art.  Applying it to their wet piece, a heat gun or hair dryer pushes the tinted resin around creating cells, lacing and other cool effects!  ( Artwork courtesy of @current_trade )

Method 4: Using A Butane Or Propane Torch

Okay, guys, now we're cooking with Crisco!

There is simply no match for the heat and intensity of a torch - it's the but method nosotros utilise here at the ArtResin studio.Not only volition a torch help get rid of bubbles, just the flame actually incinerates surface grit in the procedure. Once you've used a torch, yous'll never want to go back to any other method!

And then whether y'all feel more comfortable with an easy-to-use handheld tool like our Artist Torch for pocket-size pieces, or a bigger propane version similar our Artist's Propane Torch Head ( a must for large pieces ) a flame is your best bet to really zap out bubbles for a flawless end.
VERDICT:  If you lot desire pro results, a torch is where it's at!

Butane vs Propane Torch

You've seen us reference both butaneandpropane torches, but what are the differences?  How do you know which one to utilize and when?

Both butane and propane are like in that they are both'liquefied petroleum gas' and burn at the aforementioned temperature. Whether you lot use a butane or propane torch, both accomplish excellent resultsand information technology really comes downwardly to personal preference. Our proffer is that if you're new to using a torch, outset with butane. When you become comfortable, invest in a propane torch.

Here's a footling more information on butane and propane torches:

Butane Advantages & Disadvantages

Butane torches are a dandy introductory tool and volition do the job nicely on most pieces of artwork:

1. Butane is a 'cleaner fuel' and produces a chip less carbon monoxide.
2. Butane torches are more meaty and portable.
3. Butane is a bit cheaper than propane.
4. Y'all need to ensure you have the right fuel canister to fit your torch.
5. Butane doesn't do that well in colder temperatures.
6. Butane's lower storage pressure level means smaller flames
7. Butane torches hold less fuel so need to be refilled more than often.

Propane Advantages & Disadvantages

The larger flame of a propane torch is perfect for removing bubbles from large pieces:

1. Most popular world-broad then tanks are easy to notice.
2. Propane burns and stores better in the cold.
3. Propane is stored under higher pressure, allowing for larger size.
4. Propane flames as information technology shoots out of the torch.
5. Propane'south larger fuel tank gives y'all a longer run time on larger pieces of fine art.

How To Use A Torch

There are a couple of important things to continue in heed when torching:

1. Hold the torch a few inches above your artwork, just shut enough so that the flame lightly kisses the surface of the resin. You should see the bubbles disappear before your eyes. If you lot don't come across bubbling popping, motion in just a little bit closer.
2. Continue your torch moving at all times in a back and forth move as if you were ironing clothes. Give the entire surface of your artwork one or 2 skillful passes with the torch, until all the bubbles have disappeared.

⚠️PLEASE Note: Always exercise common sense when working with a naked flame:

• Always point the flame away from you when igniting or using the torch.
• Never go out a flame unattended.
• Continue the lit torch well away from flammable substances.

⚠️PLEASE Note: When it comes to torching, less is more.You don't desire to stop up over torching your resin, which is what may happen if you agree your torch as well close to the resin surface or in one spot for as well long. Over torching can result in dimples or ripples in your cured resin surface, yellowing and even burn marks. Read more well-nigh over torching  in our weblog.

How To Operate A Resin Torch

Both butane and propane torches are straightforward to fill and easy to operate.  Permit's run through everything you need to know, from fuelling them to using them:

How To Fill A Butane Torch

When you buy a butane torch, y'all'll also need to purchase a canister of butane fuel to fill up it with: butane refill canisters can easily be institute at any hardware shop.

Before you purchase a butane refill canister, be sure to cheque the valve at the bottom of the torch to ensure you buy the right one:

• if your butane torch has a recessed refill valve: you'll need to cull a refill canister has a long nozzle and a narrow cervix to fit.
• if your butane torch has a flat based refill valve: information technology should work with any blazon butane canister

How To Operate A Butane Torch

This the function that seems intimidating ( but totally isn't ) ... turning on the torch 😊
Here's how to practice it, step by footstep:

1. Beginning, locate the Gas Cuff on the side of the torch and slide it downward to the everyman setting.

two. Next, observe the Child Prophylactic Lock located under the Ignition Button and slide it downwards until it clicks into place.

3.  Then, placing your pollex on the Ignition Button, press it down to ignite the flame. Keeping your pollex depressed on the Ignition Push, turn the torch to locate the Continuous Lock Push button located on the side of the torch. Slide the Continuous Lock button to the 'on' position to maintain the flame. Adjust the intensity of the flame using the gas gage. At present your torch is ready to get!

How To Operate A Propane Torch

When you purchase a Propane Torch Head, you too need to purchase a propane tank to attach it to. You can easily find propane tanks ( like the ones below ) at the hardware store.  Either one works perfectly well!

1. Remove the cap from the propane tank and screw the torch head on.

2. One time the torch head is screwed onto the tank, open up the valve to release the gas, and click the ignition push to lite the flame. Adjust the valve to increase or subtract the intensity of the flame.

And there you accept it!

So whether it's a handheld butane torch or a propane torch for larger pieces, one time you attempt out a torch you'll never become back to any other method to remove bubbles from your resin, nosotros promise!

Check out our weblog on Surface Preparation Before Applying Epoxy Resin.

Have y'all tried ourArtist's Studio Torchor ourArtist's Propane Torch Head?
What do y'all think?
Allow united states know in the comments below.

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Source: https://www.artresin.com/blogs/artresin/how-to-use-a-torch-with-resin

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