How To: How to burst bubbles in epoxy
If you’re finding that you’ve got bubbles when pouring clear casting epoxy, here are some simple techniques to help resolve the problem.
Use a little heat to pop the bubbles
- Use a hot air gun to break the surface tension and burst the bubbles. This should be done as soon as possible after pouring. Care should be taken not to overheat, or blow dust onto the surface. You can buy a hot air gun at most DIY stores. Use a back and forth motion over the whole surface, do not heat one area specifically.
- Use a propane torch to burst the bubbles. Use the same motion as the hot air gun and be careful not to move the flame too vigorously. If you do – or if you shake the container – the flame can change from a clean blue to a yellow flame. Yellow flames can sometimes leave soot on the surface. We recommend using a standard plumber’s torch as the heat from the flame is cleaner and less likely to blow dust particles onto the surface.
- Use a fine mist spray of denatured alcohol (methylated spirits) over the surface. Customers should NOT combine this technique with using a propane torch.
Don’t repeat mistakes
- Bubbles can occur if instructions aren’t followed. We know that’s painful to read but careful mixing and pouring will make all the difference. Beautiful creations come from exact science.
- Pre-sealing timber (and other porous materials) before casting will help decrease the chance of subsequent problems. Take some time to test a piece of wood with the sealing product and the casting epoxy.
- Epoxy can be degassed in a vacuum chamber before pouring and some smaller moulds can be put into a degassing chamber once filled with epoxy. You can buy degassing chambers online.
- And most of all, we recommend using the best quality epoxy. Entropy Resins® are used by furniture designers and makers because the epoxy resins and hardeners are bio-based, simple to use and give stunning results.
