resin figurines

Types of Resin

Types of Resin

Resin

Some of the things resin is used for:

Coating wood crafts

Furniture coatings as a protection

Stone surfaces such as granite and marble are often coated with resin. This protects against damage and stains.

Jewelry - make a mold and pour liquid resin in and voilá!

…as well as keychains, smart phone covers,

Resin figurines.  From Warhammer to Christmas decorations to children’s toys.  Miniatures.  Almost any statue or sculpture that one can imagine.  One just has to make a mold and pour in the liquid resin.  Then paint to your liking.

Your crafts, Warhammer or statues could be made from more than one of the resins listed below.  Warhammer figurines for example would use the polystyrene resin for molds. 

Resin Figurines come in all shapes and sizes.

Types of Resin

I’ve tried to give a short description of different types of resin here. Most websites are very technical and if you want something more detailed, you can search them individually. 

Your crafts, Warhammer or statues could be made from more than one of these.

Warhammer figurines for example would use the polystyrene resin for molds. 

All of the resins listed below are referred to as ‘thermoplastic polymer resins’.

Here is a great definition of ‘polymer’ from livescience.com:

“Polymers are materials made of long, repeating chains of molecules.  the materials have unique properties, depending on the type of molecules being bonded and how they are bonded.  Some polymers bend and stretch, like rubber and polyester.  Others are hard and tough, like epoxies and glass.” 

The word polymer comes from the Greek words: ‘many parts’.    

AND ‘thermoplastic’ is a type of polymer that can be softened through heating and then processed either as a soft solid (such as through thermoforming) or as a  liquid (such as with extrusion or injection moulding).”  from twi-global.com

Polyester Resin

These resins are oft used in the marine industry due to their improved water resistance.  Used for laminating.  Will gel on their own if left for a lengthy period.

Acrylic Resin

Can be repeatedly heated and shaped.  It is combined with different components, often including a hardener, to achieve this.

Alkyd Resin

Is an organic polyester resin.  Fatty acids and other compounds are added. Used as the film forming agent with paints and clear coatings.

Used with paints and varnishes, makes these more durable thus making them best for exterior coatings.

Polyamide Resin

A thermoplastic (thermo=heat) like nylon and Kevlar that, like Acrylic resin, can be formed and reheated and melted without losing their innate characteristics. The chemical compound remains the same when hardened.  It’s transparent finish also makes it suitable for exterior coatings, paint and varnish.  Water resistant.

Polycarbonate Resin

Again, a thermoplastic, which can be formed, heated and reformed without losing basic chemical properties.  You see this type of resin all the time: prescription lenses, face shields, headlight covers on cars, streetlamp, skylights, water bottles, blenders, etc.

Polyethylene Resin

Similar to polycarbonate resin in that it can be formed, then remelted keeping inherent characteristics.  That is, the heating and reforming doesn’t change the chemical make up.  There are different types.   Common uses of this type of resin are, milk and water jugs, plastic bags, plastic wrap for packaging.  This type of resin is the most difficult is not impossible to glue.

Phenolic Resin

Originally named Bakelite, this is one of the most versatile of the resins.  Can stand extreme temperatures.  Examples of use: billiard balls, counter tops, circuit boards.  And as many other types of resin, can be used as coatings or laminate. Brake pads and shoes and other cars parts are also made from this, partly due to the extreme temperature tolerances.

Polypropylene Resin

You see this one every day.  It is used for fibre optics, to make carpeting, plastic containers, lab equipment as it has a high heat tolerance and is even used in paper products. Because of the high heat tolerance, products made from polypropylene can be put in the microwave or dishwasher.

These plastics, when used for food or similar packaging do not leech into the food products.

Epoxy Resin

This one is what is used for all sorts of crafts, table tops, etc.

Comes as a liquid and can be poured into molds onto a flat surface.  They then go quite solid.  Resulting in a rich gloss appearance.  Will set up completely clear unless colours are added. 

Polystyrene Resin

The plastic on the inside of your refrigerator is made of this type of resin.  Great insulator, it is used in electrical components as insulating panels.  Plastic razors, styrofoam cups, packaging inserts. 

And it is recyclable.

Has low softening temperatures and wears well, which is why it has so many different uses.

Silicone Resin

A very stable resin used often as binders in paints and varnishes.  Excellent heat resistance and being water repellant often used for coatings.

Used as molds for crafts such as jewelry and other decorations.

If you want to get way more technical information on these different types of resins, check out www.thomasnet.com

Posted by Martin in blog, 0 comments
Resin Figurines

Resin Figurines

Warhammer, Warcraft, Miniature Dollhouses, Miniature Trains, etc

If you work with miniatures that are made of resin, you will at some time or another need a decent method of repairing broken bits.  I’ll share a video I’m working on this blog and likely Youtube in the next little while. Repairing a couple of resin figurines.

In the meantime I’m displaying some of my photography.  Comic Con events are great for people imagining real life forms of the miniatures.  I honestly don’t know all the different worlds and references that go with all the costumes that I’ve photographed.  But the people that create and wear the costumes know those worlds and how to create appropriate poses. 

The background and lighting at most of these events are terrible for displaying photos.  I love how some photograph miniatures.  They show off their work well.  Lousy backgrounds can ruin a photo.  I’ve mainly photographed the bigger, real life versions. 

Enjoy!

The best package for resin repair is:

Combo Package 1(One Glue/One Accelerator)
Combo Package 1(One Glue/One Accelerator)
Package includes one bottle of Mister Glue and One bottle of Mister Glue's Accelerator
Price: $34.00
Price: $32.00

More on glueing resin here.

Posted by Martin in blog, 0 comments
Mister Glue for Resin

Mister Glue for Resin

What are Resins?

There are both natural resins and manufactured resins.  Various natural resins come from trees: different trees, different resins.  Historically, resins have been used in such things as lacquers and varnishes by the ancient Egyptians and Chinese.  Some were used for various kinds of aroma therapy and sometimes even for other healing qualities.

A couple of more commonly known resins are frankincense and myrrh, (these being gifts brought to baby Jesus in the story of his birth).  They are known for their healing properties.

For thousands of years, practitioners of traditional medicine have valued frankincense and myrrh for their potent healing properties:

“Myrrh and frankincense have had spiritual significance since ancient times and they also were adopted as medicines for physical ailments.”

http://www.itmonline.org/arts/myrrh.htm

In 2600 BC, the Egyptians used at type of resin for embalming mummies: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/egyptians-created-mummies-thousand-years-earlier-thought-180970052/

 

Usually starting off as a liquid, they cure to a solid or hard material.  A polymer resin would be seen to create a clear, glossy coating on furniture.  It stays clear, is very hard and durable and it protects the surface of your furniture against moisture, dirt and grease.

Molds are used to make epoxy resin gun stocks.  If you have the proper mold, you can fashion almost anything from epoxy resin. 

Miniatures such as Warhammer have been made from resin.  Warhammer and other miniatures are also, depending on the manufacturer, can also be made from metal or plastic. 

I hear often when people are trying to repair their Warhammer miniatures, questions or comments like below. These comments and questions are from various forums:

‘…some types of cyanoacrylates are horrible…’ 

‘…the [glue] i’ve been using comes apart in the middle of a board game…’

“I'm assembling a handful of resin figures from Raging Heroes, and using [cyanoacrylate], I believe) and it's horrible. It simply won't dry, and the figures won't stay together.”

“Those of you with experience with resin, how do you build them?!? What glue do you use?”

“I don't think I'll ever buy another resin model after this experience. These figures are beautiful, very fine and delicate, but they'd never last 2 minutes on any sort of battlefield or game board!”

https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/1690864/gluing-resin

Most of these situations can be easily handled with Mister Glue either on its own or in conjunction with Mister Glue’s Accelerator/Activator.  We have repaired numerous types of resin Warhammer figurines, some with one, some with both and all are still firmly bonded.  Experiment, if you have to, with a couple of pieces but once it sets up, there will be no problems in having it come apart. 

The reason for Mister Glue not deteriorating over time, once glued, is the distillation process.  One of the things that makes a lot of cyanoacrylates go brittle or fall apart is the solvents present in the product.  Super Glue and Crazy Glue are notorious for this.  Tubes of super glues can dry out quickly after one use.  As soon as the solvents are exposed to air they start to go.   Mister Glue has been distilled several times to remove all traces of solvent. 

Resin dolls

“Resin dolls are first modelled from clay, set into a mold and then cast using synthetic resin, which is often easier to paint than dolls made with vinyl. Resin feels like porcelain but is less brittle.”  Resin Dolls

Manufacturing Warhammer or resin dolls or doll houses is fairly straight forward. Repairing a broken resin doll can be trickier.  A benefit of using Mister Glue is that it requires a tight fit.  The closer the two pieces are bonded together, the better the bond.  So, when you are repairing a doll or porcelain dish or ceramic plate that is in more than two pieces, it will be much easier.  If, for example, you have three or more pieces that you want to glue together, if you have left the minutest extra space between the first three pieces that you have glued together, then that forth or fifth piece just won’t fit! 

Plan your sequence of putting it all back together and make sure all dust and dirt is cleaned.  And if you have the tightest fit possible with Mister Glue, that last piece should fit very nicely. 

There are many different types of resin.  Some resins will bond better with just the glue, some better with Activator/Accelerant. One or two experiments will tell you pretty quickly. Some will set more quickly than others as well. Meaning that some pieces you will be able to hold for 10 seconds and they are done and others you may have to hold for more than 30 seconds.

Leave any glue that has squeezed out to partially dry then scrape off gently with a sharp edge. If you wipe with a cloth while wet, it will smear.  And you may leave behind some of the cloth.  More problems!

One other caution of sorts is the really, really tiny parts being glued end to end.  Mister Glue will not fill gaps and when you are putting two tiny ends together there may not be enough surface area to get a good bond. 

Random stuff:  As Mister Glue will bond unlike materials, you can if you want glue other things to the resin.  You could easily bond metal or wood to a flat resin surface.

Chips and Cracks

If you have repaired your resin doll and are left with some chips or holes along the seams and don’t have a proper filler, you can use baking soda.  Place some powder in the spot and add a couple of drops of glue.  You will have to sand or scrape smooth. Once you have smoothed this out, you can reality paint over it. 

So, short answer, yes, Mister Glue will bond resin!

The best package for resin repair is:

Combo Package 1(One Glue/One Accelerator)
Combo Package 1(One Glue/One Accelerator)
Package includes one bottle of Mister Glue and One bottle of Mister Glue's Accelerator
Price: $34.00
Price: $32.00

A Bit More About our Accelerator/Activator

Buy Now!!

#misterglue #resin

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Resin Antlers – Lamp

Resin Antlers – Lamp

Resin Antler Lamp

People bring me things to fix.  

I've recently had a number of people ask about Mister Glue and resin.  Does it work?  Well, the best way to tell you is to show you.  In the video below, you can see that a small piece of the resin antler broke off the lamp.  Make sure that the surfaces fit together well and that you know where they are going so that you don't have to mess with it too much once you have the glue applied.  Here, I applied the Accelerator to one side first. Give that about 20-30 seconds exposed to air before you apply the glue to the other side.  Once you have applied Mister Glue to the other side, you can push the two pieces together.  You don't have to rush but don't wait around forever either.  The less moving around once the two pieces are together, the better.

Press firmly together.  The tighter the fit, the better the bond.  You want to make sure that the whole surface is covered with the glue so often some may squeeze out.  If this happens, try and let set up and gently scrape off.  That way it won't smear.  Also, place a piece of cardboard or something (not cloth) underneath.  If it drips onto a nice table surface or something, you won't be happy.  We can't have that.

The best package for resin repair is:

Combo Package 1(One Glue/One Accelerator)
Combo Package 1(One Glue/One Accelerator)
Package includes one bottle of Mister Glue and One bottle of Mister Glue's Accelerator
Price: $34.00
Price: $32.00

Also, in the video I only held the two pieces together for about 10 seconds.  Not all resin is created equal.  I recommend 20-30 seconds.  And let it sit and fully cure before you start banging it around or flicking your finger against it like I did here.  Do as I say, not as I do!

Watch this short video and you can see how simple this is:

Posted by Martin in blog, MISTER GLUE USES, 0 comments