Best epoxy resin for silicone molds: clear casting picks

What the listing offers

• The listing describes a low viscosity formula that lets bubbles escape naturally, which is what small molds need.
• Kit includes six 5 g mica powders, four 8 oz measuring cups, 10 disposable cups and 4 mixing sticks.
• Mixing is 1:1 by volume with a stated 5 minute slow stir, and the listing gives a full cure of 24 hours.

Limits to know

• No working time and no maximum pour depth appear in the listing, so layer thickness has to come from the manual.
• At 34 oz in total it covers small molds only; the listing notes cure can run past 24 hours in larger molds or cold rooms.

What the listing offers

• The only kit here with a stated pour depth: the listing gives 2 to 4 inches thick in a single pour.
• Up to 80 minutes of working time is stated, which leaves room to color the mix and place flowers or inclusions.
• The listing gives a cured hardness of 85D and describes the mix as low viscosity and low odor.

Limits to know

• The 2:1 ratio by volume is less forgiving than a 1:1 kit: a wrong measure of Part A or Part B leaves the resin tacky.
• A 48 hour cure is slow for shallow coasters and jewelry molds, where a 1:1 casting resin is the simpler choice.

What the listing offers

• Timings are spelled out in the listing: solid in 2 hours, cured in 8 hours and demold within 24 hours.
• The listing describes the resin as self leveling and names casting, coating, jewelry and flower preservation as uses.
• 64 oz in total gives enough volume for sets of coasters and medium molds.

Limits to know

• No working time is stated, and a mix that solidifies in 2 hours is a poor match for deep or slow pours.
• Hardness is given as 90 HV+, an unusual scale for resin, and no maximum pour depth is stated.

What the listing offers

• A 45 minute working time is stated, enough to add pigments, glitter or alcohol inks before the mix thickens.
• Comes with 10 plastic cups, 4 mixing sticks, 2 droppers and 2 pairs of gloves, so no extra tools are needed.
• Simple 1:1 ratio by volume, with a self-leveling formula according to the listing.

Limits to know

• Only 16 oz in total, which a few coaster molds will use up; larger projects need a bigger kit.
• The listing gives no cure or demold time and no pour depth, and mentions river tables without stating a layer limit.

What the listing offers

• Includes 2 pump heads, five 240 ml measuring cups, 2 spatulas, 10 wooden mixing sticks, aprons, tablecloths and gloves.
• The listing gives 8 hours drying and 24 hours curing, and says the cure heat is low enough not to damage molds.
• Described as self defoaming and self leveling, with casting, coasters, jewelry and molds named as uses.

Limits to know

• The bullets also describe it as table top epoxy for desktop coating, so it is a general resin, not a thin casting formula.
• No working time or pour depth is stated, and this listing does not say whether 1:1 is by volume.

What the listing offers

• The listing gives a 24 hour cure, after which the resin is described as rock hard and scratch resistant.
• Bubble release is addressed: the listing says air bubbles release on their own when the resin is warm.
• Kit holds 17 oz resin and 17 oz hardener plus a reusable mixing stick, gloves and a manual.

Limits to know

• Working time and maximum pour depth are not given in the listing bullets.
• The bullets do not say whether the 1:1 ratio is by volume or by weight, so confirm it in the manual before mixing.

What the listing offers

• States a 40 minute work time, which leaves time to mix in pigments before pouring.
• Kit includes 4 stirring sticks, 2 gloves and instructions with the two 16 oz bottles.
• The listing says the resin is compatible with alcohol dyes, mica and glow pigments.

Limits to know

• No cure time, demold time or pour depth is stated in the listing bullets.
• Sold as both casting and coating resin, so it is not a dedicated thin casting formula, and no viscosity is given.