working with epoxy resin for little props...help?

[aelynn000]

So I'm taking a step out of my comfort zone and picked up some epoxy resin to coat some props with. It seems easy enough to use, following the instructions but the main thing is that it's directed to be put in a container to mix it... I have some pretty haphazardly shaped props ( but still small ) such as some horns, a skull brooch and a hook that I want to coat with it to strengthen... can anyone tell me what kind of tools I should use to do this? Or should I pour it somewhere it can spread and try to dip or roll them in it?

I bought what was probably the smallest kit there so I have to be very conscious in not wasting any.

Another Q...if I use it post paint job with acrylics, will it make the acrylics runny? Should I 'cure' it first? Is that what they call it...something like that...another coat of whatever to prep it to prevent bleeding...

Is it best to paint OVER the epoxy? Or paint the props first and lacquer over the paint or something to that effect?

Any help would be appreciated! Thanks

 

[rollerboi]

You might get better response by having this moved to the prop forum, not costuming.

When it says to mix in a container, you'll want to get a small cup to mix however many parts of the 2-part resin together. This will start to react, set up. Most people pour this into a mold while it is still relatively runny.

You're talking about strengthening small props however; I suppose you can coat them with the mixed resin using a paintbrush and then sand down.

Do you happen to be referring to fiberglass resin, by chance? This would probably be a better choice than epoxy resin. What is the base of your small props? Paper/pepakura or some other type of material?

I'll let you clarify what you are doing and then others are sure to help answer the rest of your questions.

 

[aelynn000]

You might get better response by having this moved to the prop forum, not costuming.

And with that, you have been ultimately helpful. Haha! That'll teach me to post in the early AM again... >_>

I PM'd a mod ( I think... apparently I'm forum illiterate... I messaged someone on staff though ) asking for it to be moved.

I sculpted the base pieces out of model magic. The largest are the horns which are about 9 inches tall...I was hoping that I could brush the resin on for strength...so this IS possible? I think I'll need to find some sort of filler first since as the model magic is drying, it's splitting...which I've never had happen before...but apparently they changed the formula some back and I haven't used it since then.

I'm really REALLY inexperienced in prop making so any help is appreciated...hopefully this thread can get moved soon and I can gather some more info ( I always hate double posting, so I'll just wait for it to be moved ).

And what I got was... this stuff.

 

[Baron]

That resin, once mixed properly, could be brushed on to strengthen your props. I would suggest mixing small batches, putting a layer on each prop, then let them all cure, then mix up another small batch, and reapply. Do this to put a couple of coats on and it should strengthen things up pretty good. It might also give everything a "wet" lacquered look. If they are cracking something like bondo can be used to fill in the cracks, let it set, then sand it down. This would be done prior to applying the resin to the props.