Applying epoxy resin to your projects can often be a messy job. Even with the correct tools, epoxy is prone to drip off the sides. Although it is possible to remove these unsightly drips, the best way to deal with epoxy drips is to prevent them from happening in the first place.
The easiest way to keep epoxy from running is to apply tape to the back of your projects. High-quality painter’s tape or sheathing tape works well for stopping epoxy drips. Allow the epoxy resin to fully dry for 18-24 hours before removing the tape.
The last thing you want on your beautiful projects is a row of ugly drips. If you’re interested in learning more about how to keep epoxy from running, read on! Today, we’ll cover everything you need to know about how to stop epoxy drips, as well as how to remove them after the epoxy resin has cured.
How Do I Stop My Epoxy from Running?
Using epoxy resin on projects requires a lot of time and effort. Not only must you carefully measure and mix the epoxy, but you need to gently spread and cover your projects with the resin. Because it takes hours for the epoxy to cure, it can be quite frustrating to find hundreds of tiny drips on your beautiful artwork. Fortunately, these drips can easily be prevented with a little tape and know-how.
The best way to stop your epoxy from running is to apply tape to the back of your project. For best results, use high-quality painter’s tape or sheathing tape. Allow the epoxy resin to dry for 18-24 hours before removing the tape.
When using tape for preventing epoxy resin from running, it is essential to use high-quality tape. Oftentimes, cheap painter’s tape is porous and will absorb the epoxy resin. Similarly, low-quality sheathing tape allows the epoxy to seep in between the tape and your projects.
Once the epoxy resin has dried to the touch, remove the tape from your project. It generally takes 18 to 24 hours for the epoxy resin to feel dry. It is important to remove the tape sooner rather than later so that the epoxy is still flexible. Allowing the epoxy to fully cure before removing the tape can make it more difficult to remove the tape.
Another option for preventing epoxy from dripping in the first place is by using a method known as doming. Doming resin is a simple process that keeps epoxy from running off the sides. Below, let’s take a closer look at how to use this method on your projects.
How to Prevent Epoxy from Running Using the Doming Technique
Doming epoxy resin is an interesting technique that prevents the epoxy from running down the sides. Rather than painting the sides of your project, doming your resin only covers the surface of your artwork. In turn, you won’t have to deal with any messes or spills after working with epoxy resin.
Begin by pouring the epoxy on the center of your project. From here, use a spreader, plastic knife, or popsicle stick to gently nudge the epoxy to the edge of your piece. For extra protection, you may want to tape the edges of your project. Once you are used to using the doming technique, you won’t need to use tape.
Note that not all epoxy resins are suitable for doming. For an epoxy resin to be used with the doming technique, it must have a proper combination of surface tension and viscosity. Surface tension refers to the strength of the liquid surface, while viscosity refers to the thickness of the liquid. Without these two qualities, the epoxy resin cannot be effectively used for doming.
Additionally, it’s important to ensure the surface is level before using the doming technique. Because many epoxy resins are self-leveling, an uneven surface will cause the dome to break. As a result, the epoxy resin will spill over the sides of your project.
How to Remove Dried Epoxy Resin Drips
Using tape on your epoxy resin projects is an easy way to prevent drips from forming. However, there may be times you don’t have tape on hand, or maybe you simply forget to apply tape to your project. Either way, there is no reason to panic if you notice epoxy running off the sides of your project. There are many ways to remove drips from epoxy, even after the resin has cured.
The best way to remove dried epoxy resin drips from projects is to use either a heat gun, sandpaper, or a Dremel tool. These tools are particularly useful if your epoxy resin has had time to cure for 24 to 72 hours. Using either one of these tools on your project will remove drips without damaging the material.
When using a heat gun, gently soften the drips of epoxy and use a blade to pop them off. This is an easy method that also works well for removing any tape that is stuck to your project. Sandpaper is another excellent option, although it will require a little more force. You may also use an electric sander or Dremel tool to make the drips come off a bit easier.
How to Remove Tape After 24 Hours
Another common issue that requires special tools is when tape becomes stuck to your projects. Generally, this is the result of waiting too long to remove the tape. Once the epoxy resin has had time to cure, the drips will prevent the tape from being pulled off. Fortunately, this issue is easy to solve by using a heat gun.
Similar to using a heat gun for removing drips, using a heat gun on tape will soften any epoxy holding the tape down. Once the epoxy is soft, the tape will easily come off. If you still have trouble removing the tape, use a blade to scrape the drips off.
Removing and preventing drips from epoxy resin is not a difficult process. By using these techniques, you can confidently apply epoxy resin without worrying about it running down the sides. In turn, you can enjoy the appealing beauty of epoxy resin for many years to come.
