Epoxy Resin Crystal Clear FR1 System FAQs

FR1 System Q and A

Everyone has a question about epoxy resin. We try to answer all the questions you might have about it. Here you have the most frecquently asked questions by our customer that could answer yours. If you don’t find the answer for your question, please read our user guide or send us you question using the below form. We will answer it as soon as possible.

How much epoxy resin will I need for my project?

What is the ideal working temperature?

What happens if the epoxy resin and hardener are too cold?

What is the working time?

What is the Shelf Life?

Can I mix the resin and hardener by weight?

What can I use to clean the surface after it has completely cured?

How long does it take to cure?

Can I use a thinner to have a less thick pour?

Can I use pigment or tints in the epoxy?

Can I use more hardener to speed the curing time?

Is there any way to make it harden faster?

Can I get a satin finish with this epoxy?

Can I use this product over a copper surface?

Can we use pumps to dispense the resin and hardener?

Can I use the epoxy over stained wood?

Can I use a drill mixer to mix the resin and hardener?

Can I reuse my mixing container after pouring out the epoxy mix?

How long should I wait to apply my first flood coat after applying the seal coat and between each flood coat?

Can I pour the flood coat thicker than 1/8” at a time?

Can this product be used outdoors?

How much epoxy resin will I need for my project?

We have created a project calculator that will help determine how much of the FR1 will you need. Please use the “SMALL PROJECT CALCULATOR” for projects measured in inches. For projects measured in feets, please use the “LARGE PROJECT CALCULATOR”.
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What is the ideal working temperature?

The ideal working temperature is 75°- 80° F. Stay below 75% humidity; otherwise, it will really slow down the drying time.
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What happens if the epoxy resin and hardener are too cold?

Temperatures below 75°F. will make mixing very difficult as well as create excess bubbles that cannot be removed. Before mixing make sure the product has acclimated to at least 75° F. (You can warm the epoxy but inserting container into a bucket of warm water. Water temperature should not exceed 120°F.)
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What is the working time?

The working time is about 25-30 minutes. However, make sure to pour the epoxy mix out quickly after mixing it completely. Do not leave in your mixing container too long because this will cause an accelerated chemical reaction due to the heat being generated, which will cause it to start smoking and cure faster.
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What is the Shelf Life?

Shelf life is 6 months, but after 3 months the hardener will start to darken. It’s still usable, but it won’t be as clear. For longer shelf life, keep in a cool, dark place and make sure the container is tightly closed. After storing for a long period of time, make sure to test a small quantity first before using.
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Can I mix the resin and hardener by weight?

Although we recommend that you mix it by a 1:1 ratio, you may mix by weight using 100 parts resin to 86 parts hardener.
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What can I use to clean the surface after it has completely cured?

You can clean your project just using mild soap and water. To avoid damaging the surface, DO NOT use any vinegar or harsh chemicals.
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How long does it take to cure?

The dry time is affected by the room temperatrure. The average time with optimal temperatures is 12 to 14 hours. However, we don’t recommend placing anything on the surface until after 48 hours. Since it is still delicate, we recommend using at least coasters for the first few weeks to avoid scratching the surface. The more time passes, the harder the surface gets and the more scratch resistant it will become.
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Can I use a thinner to have a less thick pour?

Thinner should not be used if the product is been used on table or bar tops. Mixing it with thinner will alter the chemical composition of the product which in turn have unpredictable results. There are some art resin applications on which thinner is used. Always keeping in mind that it will affect the end results of the project. If you decide to use this technique, you should experiment with it until you find the results that you desire.
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Can I use pigment or tints in the epoxy??

Yes, however, not all are compatible, so test a small quantity first. Please see our line of colored pigments that have been tested and work with our products.
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Can I use more hardener to speed the curing time?

No. It is very important that equal parts of the resin and hardener are measured out; otherwise, it will not properly cure after mixing.
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Is there any way to make it harden faster?

After the epoxy has cured, you can apply a heat lamp about 18 inches from the surface for 2 hours, then 1 hour off, and then just one more hour on.
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Can I get a satin finish with this epoxy?

There’s a few ways to try to achieve this: The most preferred method is using a 4-0 steel wool & cutting oil in a circular motion. Another alternative would be to lightly scuff the epoxy first, then use an oil based polyurethane with either a semi-gloss or satin finish. A third option would be to use a rubbing compound such as 3M Imperial (tan beige in color).
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Can I use this product over a copper surface?

If the copper surface is not already sealed, you need to seal it first using an acrylic lacquer (gloss spray only; regular lacquer will lift). When completely dry and it no longer smells like solvent, it is okay to do your first epoxy flood coat.
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Can we use pumps to dispense the resin and hardener?

Due to thick viscosity of this product, we DO NOT recommend using pumps for this system. Use graduated cups for measuring & mixing.
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Can I use the epoxy over stained wood?

We recommend using a water or alcohol based stain. The epoxy is not compatible with oil based stains and it will fish eye. If you used an oil based stain, wait at least 2 weeks for it to completely dry (preferably 3 weeks), then seal the wood with oil based polyurethane. Wait at least 48 hours after applying the polyurethane. Once it’s completely dry you can apply your first epoxy flood coat.
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Can I use a drill mixer to mix the resin and hardener?

No, we don’t recommend using a drill mixer, stirring it too aggressively or whipping it. These mixing methods usually create excessive air bubbles that cannot be removed with the torch or heat gun technique.
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Can I reuse my mixing container after pouring out the epoxy?

Clean graduated cups or tubs should be used for measuring and mixing. You can use the same measuring cup to measure out the resin and the same measuring cup to measure out the hardener. However, a clean mixing container should be used for each batch that is mixed. The used mixing containers can be cleaned the following day after the epoxy has cured, by cracking out the old epoxy and cleaning it for future use.
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How long should I wait to apply my first flood coat after applying the seal coat and between each flood coat?

Re-coating can usually be done within 4 to 8 hours, when it is still tacky. No surface preparation is needed; the layers will bond together as one.   If your previous layer has fully dried, very light sanding with 180 to 220 grit sandpaper is recommended to achieve a good bonding grip. After sanding you should wipe down with a solvent such as denatured alcohol or acetone to remove any impurities from the surface. DO NOT use mineral spirits aka paint thinner. The wipe down process with the solvent should be done with a clean rag that will not leave any lint on the surface. Continuing cleaning until all sanding dust has been completely removed. After it is fully dry, you are now ready to re-coat. Don’t worry about sanding scratches. The next pour will fill in the scratches and it will look like glass again.
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Can I pour the flood coat thicker than 1/8” at a time?

This product can be used to build up unlimited depths. Each flood coat should not exceed 3/16”. Attempting to pour thicker can cause the epoxy to generate excessive heat which in turn will cause more air bubbles, possibly cracking and shrinkage. It is advisable to wait at least 4 hours between pours to allow sufficient curing and cooling. While this product is considered crystal clear by epoxy standards, it does have a very slight amber tone. This color is virtually unnoticeable in depths up to ½” thick. The color of the epoxy can become noticeable in greater depths especially over light colored surfaces.
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Can this product be used outdoors?

Although this product will resist yellowing better than other epoxies it is NOT 100% UV resistant. Continuous outdoor UV exposure will eventually cause the finish to lose its gloss, cause gradual changes in color, and possibly warp.
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