Wondering how to glue resin together? Once you’ve got the right glue, it’s surprisingly simple. Read on to find out what glue to use on resin models, and how to get the best results so your handiwork stands the test of time.
Resin is a strong, versatile material popular for crafts, model-making, and 3D printing. It’s so resilient that it’s unlikely to break. However, if you’re planning on making something, you’ll need to know how to glue resin together with the right adhesive. We recommend super glue or a two-part epoxy.
Both super glue and epoxy are highly effective for gluing resin together. However, for resin, epoxy is probably the best choice for projects where durability is the priority due to its exceptional strength and resilience. Super glue is a little easier to use and dries faster, but it’s not as strong as epoxy. If you need to bond surfaces together quickly, super glue is fine in many cases.
Super glue is a good choice for resin models, especially if you’re working with small or detailed pieces. Here are some advantages of using a super glue (cyanoacrylate) to glue resin together:
- very easy to use
- precise application
- strong bonds
- dries very quickly
- Transparent
- best for bonding small parts
Try Loctite Super Glue Gel Control for your next project. Its precise applicator and no-drip formula make it ideal for crafting projects. If you are gluing large surface areas, you may prefer a glue with a brush applicator, such as Loctite Super Glue Liquid Brush On.
Alternatively, you can use an epoxy to glue resin together. Epoxy also has many advantages:
- easy to use
- precise application
- very strong bonds
- dries quickly
- transparent (depending on product)
For gluing resin, the best option is Loctite Epoxy Clear Multi-Purpose. Unlike some other epoxies, it set fast and dries transparent to give you strong, invisible bonds in just a few minutes. What is more, it will not shrink and is resistant to humidity and impact.
If you want to glue small resin pieces together, super glue is the most effective. For larger pieces, you can't go wrong with epoxy.
To glue resin together with epoxy, you’ll need the following:
- Loctite Epoxy Clear Multi-Purpose
- disposable tool for mixing and application, such as a wooden stick
- sandpaper
- pieces of plain paper
- cloth
- acetone or a blade (for removal)
Remember to take safety precautions when working with epoxy. Wear gloves and work in a well-ventilated space.
Here’s how to glue resin together with epoxy.
- Prepare the surfaces. They should be clean and dry. To improve adhesion, roughen the surfaces with sandpaper.
- Pre-fit the pieces. Cover your work area with a large piece of plain paper so you can see all the resin pieces clearly. Before gluing, pre-fit the pieces. Use sandpaper or a file on any gaps or uneven surfaces.
- Open the epoxy. After removing the cap, cut the tips of the double syringe. Turn the syringe to point upwards so air bubbles rise to the top. Expel air by pressing the plunger.
- Mix the epoxy. Dispense equal parts of the resin and hardener on a piece of paper. Mix thoroughly for about 1 minute using the tool.
- Put away the syringe. Wipe the tips clean and close with the cap.
- Apply the mixed epoxy and glue the resin together. Within 1-2 minutes of mixing, apply a small amount of the epoxy to both resin surfaces using the tool. Press the surfaces together immediately. Keep them pressed together for about 10 minutes.
- Remove any excess adhesive. Use a clean cloth to remove wet epoxy. Acetone is effective but may cause discoloration. Dried epoxy can be cut away with a blade.
- Wait for the epoxy to cure. Loctite Epoxy Clear Multi-Purpose sets in just 5 minutes but takes up to 24 hours to cure. For best results, wait for the epoxy to cure fully before working further with the object.
Afterwards, if you notice any visible gaps or uneven surfaces, you can use modeling putty or filler to fill them in. After you are done, your resin model is ready to be primed and painted.
Now you know how to glue resin together with epoxy, but it doesn’t have to end there. Loctite epoxies extremely versatile and can be used for a wide range of materials, including wood, metal, glass and ceramic. Keep your epoxy on hand for your next project!