Why Does the Bubble Remover Machine Sometimes Fail to Defoam?
We’ve received feedback from some of our customers who experienced issues with bubble removal when using our Airzero Bubble Remover Machine. To help, we’ve outlined the most common causes of defoaming failure and how to solve them.
Common Reasons for Bubble Removal Failure
Under normal conditions, about 3 oz of low viscosity resin takes 5–7 minutes to fully remove bubbles. If you’re working with over 16 oz or with a higher-viscosity resin, it may take 10–15 minutes.
The main factors that affect vacuum defoaming are:
- Choosing the wrong resin type
- Adding powders, glitter, or other additives
- Resin becoming too thick (high viscosity)
- Poor machine sealing
- Using unsuitable containers
If you’ve run into problems, check the following areas.
Issues to Avoid
1. Choosing the Wrong Resin Type
Not every resin is suitable for vacuum processing. Bubble remover machines work best with low- to medium-viscosity resins. High-viscosity resins can overflow during vacuuming.
| Resin Type | Viscosity (CPS) | Suitable? |
|---|---|---|
| Epoxy Resin | 1400-1500 | Yes |
| Fast Cure Resin | 1700-2100 | Yes |
| Deep Pour Resin | 1000 | Yes |
| Coating Resin | 7500-10000 | No |
| High Viscosity Silicone Rubber | 8000-10000 | No |
2. Adding Powders or Glitter
You can add pigments, mica powders, or glitter, but keep in mind:
- Do not fill more than half of the cup during vacuuming.
- Additives react with resin and tend to create more bubbles.
- Excess resin plus bubbles can easily cause overflow, which is messy to clean.
Tip: If your machine does get soiled, clean the inner walls with alcohol or nail polish remover.
3. Resin Becoming Too Thick
Resin thickens in cold environments. At temperatures below 10°C (50°F), it becomes highly viscous and harder to degas.
Tip: Warm the resin to about 86°F (30°C) before mixing to restore fluidity and improve bubble release.
4. Poor Machine Sealing
When starting the machine:
- Gently press the top of the vacuum chamber to ensure it’s airtight.
- Check the pressure gauge. If it doesn’t reach -99.9 kPa, sealing may be the issue.
Inspect the silicone sealing strip around the base. If it’s warped or uneven, minor leaks may occur. Adjust it carefully to improve sealing.
In high-altitude areas, lower atmospheric pressure may prevent the display from reaching -99.9 kPa. This doesn’t necessarily mean the machine is malfunctioning, you may just need extra vacuuming time. It won't affect actual performance.
5. Using the Wrong Containers or Directly Vacuuming Molds
- Best choice: Smooth plastic cups (less internal friction = faster bubble release).
- Avoid:silicone cups (more internal resistance, takes longer) and resin poured directly into molds.
- Complex mold shapes and silicone surfaces trap bubbles, making complete defoaming difficult.
- If embedding dried flowers or other inclusions, expect additional bubbles to form.
How to Fix and Save Your Resin
- Always mix resin thoroughly before vacuuming - poorly mixed resin creates extra bubbles.
- For leftover tiny bubbles on the surface, try:
- Spraying with high-concentration alcohol
- Using a heat gun
- Letting the resin sit for a few minutes to self-degas