When you intend to use epoxy for any project, knowing the type of materials it doesn’t stick to is very essential. The last thing you wish for is having a disaster that can render your efforts futile. To make your research less stressful and make your project a success, this article enlightens you on the materials that epoxy doesn’t stick to while citing its advantages and disadvantages.
A Quick Look at the Materials
What materials does epoxy not stick to? Well, here is a list of some materials you shouldn’t use with epoxy as it wouldn’t stick to them.
- Wax Paper
- Silicone, Vinyl, or Rubber
- Sheathing or Tuck Tape
- Plastics or Sandwich Bags
- Hot glue
- Plastic containers
Although there are lots of materials epoxy doesn’t stick to, the above-mentioned list is a good start. You should take note of these materials and how they will influence your project when using epoxy.
Parchment or Wax Paper
Epoxy doesn’t stick to parchment or wax paper, thereby making it ideal for your DIY project.
Advantages
Wax paper is cheap and very easy to use. You can use it to cover a natural or live edge table. You can make a small mold out of it for small tables.
Disadvantages
Using parchment or wax paper also has its disadvantages. First, its curation process doesn’t result in a clear finish when compared with other methods. Besides, the wax could make the overall project cloudy once it gets in touch with the epoxy. Next, the wax paper may not stay put properly. Finally, the wax in the paper may cause movement that can prevent the epoxy from fully curing.
Silicone, Vinyl, or Rubber
Epoxy doesn’t stick to items made of silicone, vinyl, or rubber. It can be used for small items such as jewelry, coasters, or items of different shapes.
Advantages
Silicone molds give you the freedom to curate various shapes you can’t curate elsewhere. With the molds, you can curate any item you need and utilize the exact amount of epoxy you need. However, you should understand that the molds curated must be heat resistant and be within your budget. Silicone is inexpensive and allows you to curate the exact shape you want. It only requires a little touch-up effort the moment it is cured.
Disadvantages
When you are dealing with this material, you cannot curate the molds for large items such as desks, tables, and more. Instead, you should read the reviews of the mold before you purchase it. You must also understand that the mold has a shiny.l appearance.
Molds that are used for materials such as trays don’t have a high glossy finish. Meanwhile, it is essential to have gloss as it helps in removing the item from the mold with ease even when curing is complete. You can also utilize it as a resin mold but you will have to throw it out at a later time.
Sheathing or Painter’s Tape
Since epoxy doesn’t stick to take with ease, sheathing is an appropriate material to use. Once the project is crafted and the epoxy has fully cured, you can remove the tape with ease.
Advantages
The method is cheap and works effectively. When you are using the tape, you can craft a project that has a similar size to the product. Besides, it not only allows you to produce an item of different shapes and angles but allows it to maintain a shiny appearance. When used correctly, you can use it multiple times.
Disadvantages
One major disadvantage you wouldn’t like with this method is that it makes your project look imperfect due to the seams it would leave on it. However, you can send it away after it is cured. You should also understand you need a flat working surface to craft a flat item. that the working surface needs to be flat to make your item flat. If you are curating a large mold, it may take more time before it gets completed.
Hot Glue
Advantages
It is effective for making molds and sealing cracks. It is even more effective when you intend to make river tables as it stops overflowing around the area where it pours.
Disadvantages
You can use it alone. You have to use the hot glue with other materials to enable you to craft a well-finished item. If used with rough woods, it may be difficult to remove and could leave marks on the surface.
Plastic Containers
Advantages
It is easy to use and can be done by anyone. It allows you to curate items of your desired shape and size.
Disadvantages
If using this material, you have no choice but to accept the final result as you can’t make any changes to it. Also, you can use it for large items such as tables.
Conclusion
Knowing the type of materials epoxy doesn’t stick to, it is best advised to go with the one that can give you your desired outcome.
