Mica Powder: How to Avoid Chunky Glitter Sinking?
Many people enjoy adding glitter decorations to resin, which can make the work appear more sparkling. Sometimes, the intention is to create a suspended glitter effect, but after demolding, all the glitter sinks to the bottom and gathers on the back of the piece. I will help you solve this problem and together achieve a suspended, dreamy glitter effect.
- Why does glitter sink to the bottom?
- How to achieve a suspended effect?
Why does chunky glitter sink to the bottom?
The sinking is primarily due to the following two issues:
1. The chunky glitter itself is too heavy/large:
This is the most direct cause. The greater the weight, the stronger the force driving it to sink.
2. The resin is too thin:
When the mixed regular epoxy resin is in a low-temperature state, its consistency becomes as fluid as water. In this state, adding chunky glitter means the resistance (buoyancy) generated by resin simply cannot counterbalance the weight of the glitter, causing it to sink.
How to achieve a suspended effect?
1. Choosing the suitable chunky glitter
It is recommended to choose small, thin, and lightweight chunky glitters. Excessively large or heavy glitter will sink in the resin, making it impossible to achieve a suspended effect.
2. Thickening the resin
After mixing the resin, let it sit for 10-20 minutes and reach to 104–122°F (40–50°C) until it slightly thickens. Then add the chunky glitter and mix gently but quickly. Thicker resin cures faster, helping to keep the glitter in a suspended state and prevent sinking.