Epoxy Cure Times: How to Get the Best Results When Drying Epoxy Resin

Epoxy resin is a terrifically versatile material. Many hobbyists and crafters all over the world work with various epoxy resins. However, when not mixed correctly, epoxy can remain liquid and ruin your project. So, how long does it take for the epoxy to dry? Here, we share the information you need for successful epoxy curing.

In this piece, we’ll be talking about mixing and drying (or “curing”) epoxy for the best results. There are many reasons why your epoxy may not be curing correctly, and we want to show you some tips that can help your project be a success!

How Long Does It Take for Epoxy to Dry?

Answering the question “how long does it takes for epoxy to dry?” depends on a number of factors:

  • The nature of the project you are carrying out and the number of pieces you are curing
  • Which brand and type of epoxy resin you are using
  • Whether or not you are using a slow-curing epoxy

How long does epoxy take to dry? Generally, it takes 24 hours for most types of resin to cure. Slow-curing epoxy types take up to 72 hours to cure. This presumes that you’re conducting your work in a well-ventilated place with a temperature of 72 degrees Fahrenheit or below.

How Can I Minimize My Epoxy Dry Time?

So, you’re asking “how long does it take for the resin to dry?” Most factors that keep epoxy from setting have to do with incorrect mixing and other mistakes. We’ll list below some common reasons why epoxy may be slow to dry, and what you can do to speed up your epoxy cure time: 

Old Product

If your resin is past the expiration date on the bottle, then it’s most likely not usable and should be replaced.

Moisture Contamination

If you have kept your resin mix in an environment that is not climate controlled or dry, moisture may have collected inside the resin mix container and contaminated the product. This is important to know if you’re asking how long does resin takes to cure.

Improper Mixing and Measuring

Did you mix your resin properly? Different brands of resin have different mixing instructions. They’re not all the same! If you didn’t mix your resin thoroughly or measure it correctly, it might not cure. 

Dirty Mixing Cups and Inclusions

Did you make sure your inclusions were dry and sealed before inserting them into molds? Did you make sure that your mixing cups were dry and clean before mixing? These can both have a big impact on how quickly it takes for your epoxy to dry. “How long does resin take to dry?” is a question that won’t be useful if your mixing equipment isn’t clean and ready.

Are Your Molds Dry and Clean? Are Your Molds Made Out of Latex?

You should only work with molds that are completely clean and dry – epoxy won’t cure in bad molds. Likewise, certain mixes of epoxy react badly to latex. Be especially careful when working with latex molds. This can be a big factor in figuring out how long it takes resin to dry.

Too Much Hardener

This is a big mistake. Adding more hardeners will not decrease cure time. Follow the listed directions on your product. 

Tips on How To Cure Resin

Here are some tips and tricks on how to cure resin effectively for successful epoxy projects.

Use More Heat

The use of heating lamps and working in a room that is at least 80 degrees Fahrenheit can help your resin cure more quickly. Make sure to abide by safety precautions and ventilation, but applying more heat can help your castings cure faster.

Try Out UV Resin

The innovation of UV resin enables you to mix a resin that dries with exposure to UV light.  This kind of epoxy needs to be applied in thinner layers and with some care, but the ability to instantly dry your resin is worth it.

Don’t Over Color

Mixing in too much of various color agents can prevent your resin from curing properly, therefore, m

ensure your colors carefully and only use the recommended amount.

Make Sure Your Measurements are Correct

One of the biggest mistakes beginners make is not following directions and not mixing your epoxy according to the recommended directions.  This can cause your casting to cure slowly, be cloudy, or otherwise come out wrong.

Compare Different Resin Products

Different epoxy products are intended for different styles of end products. Compare different products, check out online reviews, and speak to fellow artisans. Cure times should be listed on the packaging for epoxy products, in the meantime check out our products and pick the one that best matches your project.

Let Plastic Materials Answer Your Questions About Epoxy Curing

Plastic Materials help business people, artists, and hobbyists with these products and know how to succeed when using resins and epoxies. If you’re asking “how long does epoxy take to cure?”, we can help you. Contact us today!