Resin practice #6 log

Here is a log of resin practice #6

12 May 2014

• 3:23 pm – sprayed mold with release spray.
• 4:00 pm – release spray dried.
• 4:00 pm – put resin and hardener bottles in warm tap water.
• 4:03 pm – measured 1 dram of resin into measuring cup and weighed {3.6 grams}.
• 4:04 pm – used a toothpick to pop bubbles from pouring.
• 4:05 pm -- measured 1 dram of hardener into same cup and weighed {3.4 grams}
• 4:06 pm – stirred using tongue depressor for 2 minutes.
• 4:08 pm – poured into clean measuring cup.
• 4:08 pm – stirred using clean tongue depressor for 1 minute.
• 4:09 pm – placed under light bulb and used toothpick to get bubbles to rise to the surface.
• 4:18 pm – poured into prepared mold.
• 4:19 pm – set under lamp to pop any new bubbles.
• 4:22 pm – used toothpick to remove floaters.
• 4:28 pm – used toothpick to try to pop subsurface bubbles.
• 4:52 pm – resin has thickened, taking out from under lamp.

13 May 2014

• 4:15 pm – removed jewels from mold.

15 May 2014 @ 3:24 pm – Even after allowing to cure for another 2 days, the resin was still bendable.  Also, there were still dozens of bubbles, although, I must say, they aren't as noticeable as before.  I only saw them when I put the jewels in front of a black surface.

So, I am going buy a brand new kit and start from scratch with the goal of getting a hard jewel again.  If I succeed in that, I will then concentrate on removing the bubbles.  I will also attempt jewels made from a different brand of resin to compare outcomes.

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