UV LED resin is a resin that cures in a few minutes thanks to a UV LED lamp. It is a very practical resin to make resin jewellery and to be able to wear it quickly. Conventional epoxy resin, on the other hand, cures in 24 to 48 hours. However, UV LED resin is a bit more expensive than epoxy resin and you will also need to buy a UV LED lamp (a UV LED lamp for manicure can also do the trick). We now offer two types of UV LED resin from the Japanese brand Padico: the star drop and the sun drop in hard resin. The star drop resin is a resin that cures quickly, and does not yellow, even after 6 years according to the brand Padico. The sun drop resin is a little cheaper than the star drop resin, but still has a very good quality/price ratio. It is perfect for our project of frosted effect rings because we don't need the exceptional transparency of the star drop.
In addition to the sun drop resin, we also offer a set of 12 colorants for the UV LED resin. These dyes will allow you to realize many projects, because only 1 or 2 drops of dye are enough to color the resin in the color you want for a pendant or ring. In our case, 5 drops of white + 1 drop of another colorant will allow you to color the quantity of resin for 2 simple rings.
Here are two other very interesting products when mixing colours: plastic cups with a spout and lightproof boxes that allow you to keep the coloured resin for several weeks. These boxes have notches to hold the cups in place and are sold with labels to note the colour in the box. The set of accessories will make a great Christmas or birthday gift, even for someone who is not patient because they will get the result of their creation almost immediately.
Choose your ring mold and prepare your work surface by spreading out the tools in front of you. It is best to work on a silicone mat so as not to stain your table. Put on gloves, goggles and air the room. Sun drop resin smells like plastic. Once catalyzed, the smell disappears.
Be careful! Do this in a shaded or dark room, with the lights off, to give you time to mix and pour the resin. UV LED resin can also be cured in sunlight, although this usually takes longer.
For 2 single rings or 1 ring with more material, fill the cup to a third of its capacity. If you have any resin left over, you can store it in the black airtight box or in a totally dark place with a lid so that no dust falls in.
Add 4 to 5 drops of white and 1 drop of the colour you want: blue, pink, green...
Mix gently with a spatula, avoiding adding as many bubbles as possible. When the dye is fully incorporated into the resin, carefully pour it into the mould. Then tap the mould on the table for at least 30 seconds. Then place the mould in total darkness for a few minutes to let the rest of the bubbles rise. Then, with a lighter or gas lighter, pass the flame over the bubbles on the surface to make them explode.
The best way to do this is to place your creation in a vacuum chamber, which is a kind of airtight pot in which you remove the air to let the air in the resin out. But this type of equipment is expensive and very cumbersome.
Place your mould under the lamp, turn it on for 2 minutes face up, then turn the mould over and repeat the operation. If the ring is thick, you can leave another 1 minute on each side. Remove the ring from the mould, it will probably still be a little soft.
Add coloured resin on top with a toothpick, as the resin has shrunk at this point. Light again for 2 minutes. Take pumice paper and sand the surface to make it less shiny.
You can add a small shape to stick on the ring as well. Put a little bit of resin, place your shape and light it for 1 minute on all sides. Check that it holds and you're done!
You have a question about this tutorial? Ask it to our team and the people who have already tested it. The Perles & Co community is here to help you!
Credits
Perles & Co, Internet & E-Commerce company [29/10/2021] Any reproduction, representation, adaptation, in any form whatsoever, even partial, is prohibited, except for reproduction for private use not intended for collective use, representation in the family circle (art. L 122-5 CPI) and online publishing on condition that the source is mentioned and a link is included to the corresponding page of our site www.perlesandco.com.
