Frequently Asked Questions
PRODUCT
1. What is Epoxy? What about its Properties?
Epoxy is a reactive polymer in the family of cured end products of epoxy resins. It is well-known for its strength as it is for its impact, chemical, and water resistance. This allows it to hold incredibly heavy loads, especially when compared to bare concrete.
2. What brand of Epoxy is used?
Only ArtResin’s Epoxy is used in our jobs. With time, testing, and experience, it has proven to be the most durable, reliable, and non-yellowing.
3. What makes it better than other products when it comes to Yellowing?
ArtResin is derived from museum conservation-grade materials to ensure its water-clear clarity is preserved for decades. Many resins contain a UV stabilizer to help delay the epoxy's natural yellowing process, however this alone is not enough to prevent yellowing from happening. ArtResin contains both a UV stabilizer as well as an advanced additive called HALS (hindered amine light stabilizer) that interrupts the yellowing process before it can begin. The result is that it stays clear both in the bottle and once cured.
4. Is it Food Grade?
Yes, once ArtResin is cured, it is fully inert and can be safely used as a food contact surface.
ArtResin has been vigorously tested by a third party for leaching and migration across worldwide standards and passed every test: when used as directed, cured ArtResin will not leach any substances into food that comes into contact with it.
5. Is it toxic? Safe to pour indoors? What about Fumes and Odor?
ArtResin has been evaluated by a certified toxicologist at the American Society for Testing and Materials as being non-toxic when used as directed (conforms to ASTM D4236). It is formulated using the highest quality materials and therefore produces no VOCs or fumes. It is a clean system, meaning there are no solvents or non-reactive diluents—everything in it reacts so nothing is free to become airborne and cause health issues. It is also non-flammable in its liquid form. For all these reasons, it is therefore classified as a non-hazardous material and is shippable by air. Furthermore, many curatives have a powerful odor, however ArtResin has only a low odor and is applicator friendly. ArtResin Epoxy Resin is Non-Toxic (when used as directed) and Safe for Home Use!
6. Is It Heat Resitant?
The maximum temperature that cured ArtResin can tolerate is 120F or 50C.
At temperatures as high as that, the cured pieces may become a little flexible but once they cool off, they will harden up once again. Typically, the heat generated from a hot mug will not damage the resin surface on a coaster, but if your cured resin is exposed to temperatures beyond 120F or 50C, however - for example, you place a hot dish right out of the oven on a resined surface or you leave a cured piece in a hot car - it could cause irreparable damage.
PROCESS AND JOB DESCRIPTION
1. What Does The Process Look Like?
Prior to executing the job, we will communicate and examine the surface in question to determine the necessary steps, and to give you a quote. On the day of the job, the first step will be to prepare the surface by patching holes, filling gaps, sanding, taping off the edges, and installing plastic sheeting to catch drips.
Once the first phase is done, we would then prepare the epoxy and mix it with the color scheme you had chosen according to the desired look's ratio. Then we would pour the epoxy and use various techniques to achieve the look desired, and to rid the coating of bubbles and imperfections. Once step 3 is complete, we would then remove the taping and let the epoxy drip over the edges to cover them. And then over the following few hours, we would clean the bottom of the edges until it hardens and give you a smooth look and finish.
2. How Long Does the Process Take?
Depending on many factors such as size, number of coats, layout of the surfaces, etc.. it could take anywhere between a long day to a few shorter days. Details on the timing and execution would be communicated to you during the preliminary phase of examination and planning.
3. Can I Use my Space During the Job?
Depending on the mobility of the surface, you might be advised against coming too close to it while it cures for the first 24hrs. We recommend that you place the surface in a room that is less likely to be visited, and if surface is immobile, then we recommend that you clear the items you might need out of the surrounding cabinets.
4. How Long Before I can Use my Surface?
Curing time is a little over 24hrs. At that point, touching the surface would not cause any damage to its design or finish. However, in order to place heavier items (vases, appliances, computers, etc...) we recommend that you wait at least 72 hours for the product to be fully cured with maximum hardness. Doing so before then could result in visible indents. In the case of a sink or an item that is installed in a cavity of the surface, you do not have to wait as long as 3 days. It is actually to your advantage to reinstall it after 24 hours as it will lightly bend the epoxy in a way that supports caulking and sealing.
5. What if my Surface is Severely Damaged?
In some cases we might be able to create a local mold or resort to using a different method depending on the condition of the surface and the damage but of course, everything will be discussed on the initial call.
In the case of dealing with damages to your surfaces that are beyond home repair, we recommend that you get a piece of wood (fiberglass or other cheaper alternatives) cut out and installed to replace damaged area(s) before we coat it for you. Another method (depending on the surface’s condition of course) would be to cover your entire surface with Plexiglas or a thin wooden board prior to coating.
6. What if my Surface is not Leveled?
If surface level cannot be adjusted by manipulating screws/hinges/legs/other, we could resort to applying multiple layers of epoxy resin to address the problem - of which the first would serve to level out the surface, the second layer to create the design, and the third (if desired) as a topcoat.
PAYMENT
1. What are Acceptable Forms of Payment?
We accept payments in the form of digital transfers such as Zelle, Venmo, Paypal, & cash app. Wire Transfers and cashier's check are also welcome. We also accept Cash and unfortunately do not take personal checks.
2. Are Deposits Required?
We require a 50% deposit to cover some material cost, and the other 50% after the job is done.
3. Am I Eligible for any Discounts or Coupons?
Unless you have won one of our contests, we do not offer the possibility of price reduction. Our services are very competitive and save you a lot of money as it is.