So I finally got up the nerve to try out some casting resin. It all went really well, and I was SUPER happy with the way things came out... BUT there is a haze on the surface of my items that hasn't gone away with curing.

I read through a web site that someone here posted and found the following info:

When a surface curing agent is used without colorant, the appearance of the final layer will be slightly hazy rather than clear.

YIKES! I used the surface curing agent because my local resin salesperson sold it to me as part of a kit he had put together, and so I assumed I had to use it :(

So my question for the Glitterati: Is there any way to buff this out so my objects will be clear?

Thanks in advance!!!

-Leah

ETA
Thanks to the person who posted that resin doesn't stick to wax paper! It indeed does not and I was able to make a dam to hold a pouring that worked out great... except for the haze ;)

I tried a bunch of techniques when I had the same problem. Nothing worked. Very disappointing.

I suggest adding another layer and not using the curing agent.

btw, things that don't work:
rubbing alcohol
lighter fluid
furniture polish
sandpaper
plastic polishing fluid
polishing rotary tool
toothpaste

i tried everything :(

EmmaK

Ah Emma, sorry you had the same issue :(

I tried rubbing alcohol last night, and like you said, no good. I'm sad to see that the polishing rotary tool didn't do it either, as that was going to be my next guess. I appreciate you listing all the things you tried. That will save me a lot of aggravation.

Have you had better results now that you are no longer using the curing agent? What brand do you use?

Has anyone else found something that DOES work??

-Leah

I used industrial resin the first time and it went hazy. The second time round i used eco-lite or whatever it's called (the craft store stuff) and no haze whatsoever.

I didn't use an extra 'curing agent' either time.

thought of another thing...not only did the above not work, each try at fixing made them hazy and/or sticky :(

they were pendants and now they are all cat toys

EmmaK :)

Wow, thanks. Well I guess I'll try it without the curing agent, and if that fails maybe I should just call up Mr. Resin salesperson and see what he has to say.

Thanks for your responses. Glad that you found a product that works!

I had this problem with the envirotex stuff and what i did is submerse it in boiling water for about twenty minutes and that did the trick. Don't use a cooking pot though because resin residue sticks to the sides of the pot.

I've also had some good results shining up scummy surfacs with brasso and if all else fails you might want to try that special polish they have for acrylic nails that goes over the sculpting powderr since the sculpting powder is a resin that goes on hazy and gets clearer with the application of the polish. might work.

I would have never thought of boiling water! I can boil some in a coffee can or something...

Is the polish for the acrylic nails a paint on polish as in nail polish, or a cream or something that gets buffed?

Thanks again for the suggestions. Unfortunately I started out with things I really cared about, and I want to try to salvage them.

-Leah

I'm just guessing, but maybe try a very fine sandpaper like 400 or 600 and then a polishing agent. Also you might see if you can find a bottle of Brillianize which is great for cleaning plastic.

EmmaK said she had bad luck with sandpaper, made things more gummy. I was thinking of steel wool, as that's what is used after varnishing something, but I'm scared it would ruin everything.
Is Brillianize a hardware shop type of item? Where would you suggest looking?

-Leah

it's that polish stuff they buff on. I don't know what it's called, but you can get it at Sally Beauty Supply.

I forgot to mention that when you boil it, the resin will turn somewhat white at first. Don't worry, after it completely cools (about an hour), it will go back to completely clear.

Awesome I am definately going to try out that boiling method, and if it still needs some shine I'll run down to Sally's.

I'll let you know how it comes out!

-Leah

Shit, I forgot to add boiling to my list.

I did try that too. No go.

I hope it works for you though, as it seems to have worked for others.

btw, the envirotex stuff is the one that worked for me. Totally clear, no haze, no yellowing, dried perfectly.

EmmaK

LOL well I read your boiling commment too late!

I tried it two ways. First I made a double boiler out of a pot with a coffee can in it. The water in the can would only get up to within 20 degrees of boiling. Tried that and it didn't help. Then I put a jar of water in the microwave until it boiled, put in an item and let it sit for 1 minute before taking it out. Still hazy even after cooling. I don't think I'm doing it for long enough however because the items didn't develope a whiteish cast that later cleared up. So I may give it one more shot. I'm going to try that stuff from Sally's next...

ETA that I re-read the suggestion and I should have let the stuff boil for 20 minutes. Duhhhhh. I need to pay more attention to detail. I'm off to try this now...
-Leah

Did it work?
I use Envirotex Lite to pour over surfaces and it's perfect as long as the room tempature is good.But I've never casted anything..that's my next step.