Coating rock to make them look wet and prepping them to be coated.

What to use to make your rocks look wet. Video on coating rocks using Polycrylic protective spray (WATER BASED) and EviroTex Lite resin. Update: 2020 August their is a new epoxy resin I plan to try out that is clear and UV protected. I found out epoxys over time when in direct sun light can develop a yellow tint. I put these rocks outside they still look good and its been over a year now. They resin ones do have a sight yellowing but the resin I used has a slight yellow to it. I plan to make a video with the new UV resin so keep an eye out.
I am a rockhounding now since this video and if you go this route that your rocks may after a while with the resin may yellow or it will slowly ware off but not for like 5 or more years and the humidity conditions can factor in. Also take some rocks can absorb better then others. Using a water bases is best and some may never yellow or crack over time. A year later rocks I have sprayed still look good.
Resin and spray used:
Resin used:
EnviroTex Lite pour-on 32 oz. because I like to have a lot handy. They come in smaller or larger bottles.
Clear Spray:
Minwax, Polycrylic Protective finish (Water based) (Easy Water clean up and Crystal Clear)
Matt Teflon: found on Amazon always make sure its water resistant.
JUMBO NON STICK PTFE Craft Mat 16" x 24" x Heavy Duty 5 mil "Nothing Sticks to it ! Made in USA
or smaller
(2) HD Cookie Sheets Non Stick PTFE 15" x 18" Mat Oven Liner - USE FOR CRAFTS also
My Etsy shop name changed recently from The Crystal Tree to NeaMaru Kawaii Gifts
www.etsy.com/shop/NeaMaruKawa...
My instagram name changed too but still have a lot of rock images up on their. After all I am a rockhound.
/ rachel_creative_shopowner
Not sure what I will name my youtube and may just keep The Crystal Tree name. So it's kind of up in the air right now. Any ideas for a cool name welcomed.

[@cosmicmotion9540]

Where has this video been all my life? I've been spraying glaze on my rocks to put on necklaces for a decade never fully satisfied with the shine when I shoulda been using that resin stuff. This changes EVERYTHING thank you for the video. I never really liked tumbling because I like the shape of imperfect stones using a tumbler kinda strips their identity away and becomes smooth and round among many sheep

[@Creative_Shopowner]

Good luck it also lasts a long time. Epoxy resin should work.

[@cosmicmotion9540]

Never mind found your coating in resin video with instructions and materials used in the description

[@deirdrepasko9965]

Oh my gosh, this is exactly what I've been Searching FOR!!! THANK-YOU!!!

[@nalanimartinez4118]

Thank you for this! I’ve been picking rocks up at beaches and have been wanting to give them the shine you used the resin for, but I didn’t know how to go about it lol

[@gaylegallati7854]

Thanks for all the hints and advise - you saved me from almost buying the oil based coating!! Love the rocks you picked.

[@Creative_Shopowner]

Yes, I made that mistake and this spray worked really well. I plan to try a UV epoxy resin out this summer so how that might work. The rocks are still shiny and when they start not looking that way you can always just respray them.

[@incanada83]

Thank you. Good information. Beautiful rocks. I want to say you rock (no pun intended) :-)

[@buuddrag]

Great video! Thank you for posting this!

[@carriesteineckert2501]

Thank you soooo much for sharing what you to give your rocks the wet look. I have gone and bought the pour on stuff and have done several rocks already. Thank you!!

[@Creative_Shopowner]

Glad this is working for you. I finally caved in and got myself a tumbler. So seeing how that works currently.

[@carriesteineckert2501]

I also have a tumbler and right now I have rocks tumbling right now. And I just bought a bunch of rocks to tumbler. I do hope you enjoy yours as much as I have enjoyed mine.

[@Creative_Shopowner]

@@carriesteineckert2501 Yes I am enjoying it and now reading some book on it.

[@gleamingowl8563]

Wow this video is super useful for me! I had recently picked up some new rocks from the beach and the details kind of just fade away as they dry, so i think I'm going to use this method to get the look that i want on my rocks!! Thanks!!

[@Creative_Shopowner]

Gleaming Owl thank you and yes it was nice to see my rocks come back to a nice color. Hope it works for you.

[@chase4888]

Great video! Thanks for your help

[@kathleenrosado6949]

Beautiful!

[@pocatellocowboy1077]

Thank you for this! I wish you would have talked about what you used to paint the resin on with, though.

[@junejewel]

Very helpful - thank you!!

[@daliavampay]

thank you so much :D

[@philosophia3561]

Thank you👍🏼

[@Saiege]

Just tumbled a bunch of rocks but they did not get a shine. They came out foggy after the dried. The look nice when they are wet though. This looks great!

[@rebeccabouckhuyt5416]

Sounds like you didnt complete the final stages of tumbling. It takes over a month to fully tumble stones to a natural shine. Final stages are a very fine grit to buff and produce a clear shine. Shes shpwing this option INSTEAD of tumblimg your stones for over a month.

[@heatherdavison2813]

Thx for this video! Love both ways. What / where do I find the mat please?

[@Creative_Shopowner]

Heather Davison hi on Amazon make sure you get the water resistant. Teflon sheets and you know you have the right ones when they have a slick coating on it. I will try to have a link to the ones I use. I have ordered one in the past that were only for tshirt pressing and liquid when right through them.

[@kahlua4em]

Hi! Have you made a recent video with the new UV protected resin? I just got a bunch from Hampton Beach and love how the resin looks bit would love for them to last longer if possible. Thanks so much for your time!

[@Creative_Shopowner]

Emma no I have not. I have been eyeing alumilite UV epoxy resin for some time now but at $40 it will be this coming summer. Weather hear is a bit too cold fight now and my garage isn't warm enough. I did put these rocks outside to see what would happen and they still look good about a year later. They just have a slight yellowing. So want to try the alumilite brand of uv epoxy. So it's a project for later.

[@kahlua4em]

The ones you put outside is with the Envirotex? I do have a good handful of whites and ones with the white stripping like you have and that would be my only concern down the road :) It is very cold here as well but I do have a very enclosed basement so I'd be interested in trying that other resin that had the UV protection. This is for personal use too as I love rocks and crystals and have them surrounding me :)

[@Creative_Shopowner]

@@kahlua4em yes that is my concern too but most of the rocks I coated didn't care that much about but did notice a bit of yellowing. Why I want to try the alumilite, they just came out with a new one that wont yellow this year. So I just have to take the time to coat a few rocks then throw them outside. I also wear a mask these days when working with resin since I started to do pours with it too and in a larger more open space. We get a lot of rain here but this year was pretty dry year, so my rocks were most of the time in direct sun. I checked my rocks when I wrote you and they looked the same as if I had just coated them. I thought being outside the the resin would start to crack and brake down. Nope. So will be interested in trying the clear epoxy out out and see how it is because it's different type of resin. keep on experimenting to see what works for you. I finally found a resin I like to use and I went through a different types. I no longer use the one I do this video because of the slight tint of yellow.

[@sonjapetrovic2809]

This was very helpful, simple & to the point! Thank you.. 😇 Can you use this on crystals??

[@Creative_Shopowner]

Yes but like on drusies it would take away the spark since they use their angles to give them the sparkly look. You can take a crystal you don't care that much about and use that. Also a suggestion for a different epoxy resin that isn't tinted slightly yellow. Is Amazing clear cast resin. I have been using that more these days and like it. It's done the same way as the the stuff in this video. It's always best to test out a rock you don't care about first then do it to a rock you do care about. My rocks are now outside for the past two years now and still shiny. I just sprayed some bubble rocks ( rocks that look bubbly) and it looks amazing. The spray is very quick to do if your just want something to show in the house on display.

[@jaclyn4613]

Thank you for the informative video, super helpful! I just have 1 question, how many coats do I apply to each side of the Polycrylic?

[@Creative_Shopowner]

The spray about two out side on some card board but if you doing the resin one, it's thick stuff. It will drip down so if you wat for it to be dry enough so that it's not tacky your can take a knife and scarp the bottom run off and with a disposable paint rush touch up the bottom where the resin didn't really stick to it. Resin is thick and I suggest doing it in a large open space with windows if you don't have a mask with filters. When I did the video.. I should of had my mask on. I wear a mask now and in a larger room. I worked with resin a lot since this video. I now working with using a tumbler but still fall back to the spray for items I just want to look pretty and the resin if i want something quick and for my yard. Wear gloves resin get hot and can burn the skin because of the chemical reaction. Read the instruction before working with it. Home depo sells this and most craft stores and you can even get it on Amazon.

[@nickyvee4607]

i'm so glad to have found your video because i just got a ton of rocks and crystals while gem mining and would like to make them have a wet look without losing their raw shape and features. although, most of them appear "ashy" looking when they are dry. will using this coat truly get rid of that ashy look to them and make them appear wet for a long time?

[@Creative_Shopowner]

Hope this works. Their is an epoxy resin out their that also has uv protection. I haven't used it yet. I found one the other day but it says not to put it outside. So I will have to keep looking. I like the spray because it's not as shiny so I can very the look from shiny to more lightly wet. Just remember stay away form oil based one's they will make your stuff yellow with in a few weeks.

[@--TimberWolf--]

The stones look great! Could you please give instructions on how to do the liquid resin method? I've been rock hounding for a couple years and just stumbled onto sealing rocks for decoration a little while ago. Information would be greatly appreciated!

[@Creative_Shopowner]

I did do a video but you should wear a mask or at least be out in an open area like a garage and then leave after coating the rocks. Resin isn't great for breathing in for long periods of time. I were a resperator mask now that I got off of Amazon with two filters. I keep the filtered mask in a zip lock so that they last a lot longer and only really use the mask when doing resin now. The spray you can do no card board outside. Copy this link and paste in search bar and it should take you to the video or just go to my main page and you will see the video on How to coat rocks in resin. I since changed to an epoxy resin that doesn't have yellowing in it. But this stuff still looks great several years later. The spray no change at all and I put them outside. kzbin.info/www/bejne/kJK4e6GMgMysqsk&ab_channel=Rachel_Creative_Shopowner

[@--TimberWolf--]

@@Creative_Shopowner Thanks! This was very informative. Far more informative than what I found on the internet. I found a nice piece of granite about the size of a softball that would be a nice decoration for inside the house. After washing it, the water made the different layers in the rock really stand out. In this video, the resin looks like it made the colors stand out more than the spray, so that's why I was wondering about the resin method. You mentioned that you changed to an epoxy resin that doesn't have yellowing in it. Would the EnviroTex lite yellow over time? Just wondering since I know little about different kinds of resins and things like that. As it is about 20F where I live, I think I'll have to wait for spring to do any sort of rock finishing as I don't think I'd want to do it inside.

[@user-us9rp1cx8l]

Thank you for this info! Do you need both the resin and a hardener? When I search the recommended resin on Amazon I see it come up in a 2 piece set.

[@Creative_Shopowner]

Yes all epoxy resins are two parts. You can't just poor it out of the bottle and use it. Why if you looking for something easier you should do the spray. The spray you can do outside on some card board or your grass. As for the resin you want to be in a very well ventilated/ out in a large garage. It also heats up so you need to wear gloves and it only has a certain work time available. You want to be done touching it before it heats up. The two chemicals react and that's what makes it hard. I wear a ventilator mask now and work out in my garage. I poor and then leave the room.

[@recessinthering8425]

Do you think the polycrylic will hold up outside in a garden or patio?

[@Creative_Shopowner]

Their are certain types that will and some that will yellow over time. The spray is a good option that because if it looks like it's starting to fade you can just respray it. You should always look at the different type so of epoxy resin out their. Some say they are for outside use and are UV protective.

[@alisblomberg]

Can you apply the resin over an oiled rock? Also, how do you generally eliminate the natural yellow of the resin? Most resins have a yellowish hue (I pour resin as a hobby and most do, at least when you can see all the way through the finished product).

[@Creative_Shopowner]

Alis Be try epoxy resin or Crystal clear resin. There are different types of resin out there that the yellow is not so prominent but they smell really bad. If a rock has oil in it, I am not sure but you could try the oil bases sprays. See what happens.

[@msmarigold4647]

Is the spray waterproof?

[@husnaansari5883]

That's so cool! I just went to the beach and grabbed a handful of rocks that I'd like to try this on. I've never used resin before, what kind of brush do you use and what's the prepping/cleanup process?

[@Creative_Shopowner]

Husna Ansari hi if you haven't tried it yet. I can make a video with supplies that will be needed for clean up. Gloves and cookie sheet paper work well. I don't use a brush. For the spray just go outside and lay them on card board and spray. Then when dry flip them over. The coating with resin takes a few days to dry. To actually tumble rocks a month. With time like a few years the resin can start to wear off or yellow. 1 year later my rocks still looking good. So no yellowing yet.

[@bottledoo3639]

When or if the resin ware off is there a way to strip it and restart?

[@bethsanfilippo3218]

Questions: 1. Did you paint every rock? One side at a time? You didn’t explain how you do it. 2: what is the material of the mat you’re using?

[@Creative_Shopowner]

Hi 2: I used teflon sheets and that is a flexible silicone baking pan. You can stick it in the oven. At the very end of the videos I have how to coat rocks in Resin. 1: With resin I just run my hands all over it with gloves on. Then set them down. Give them the 24 hours to dry. Flip them and with a knife cut the access off and if I feel like coating that last little bit I just take a dab and spread it on and give it the 72 hours. The spray you go outside with cardboard spray the rock give it time to dry what ever the can says and how warm it is outside. Flit the rock over and do the other side. I didn't show it in this video so when others ask how, I realized I needed just a video for coating. I want to add here you should wear a breathing mask with filters or be in a very well ventilated space like a garage. To protect from dust cover with a plastic cum over it. So please watch the video at the end of this How To Coat Rocks In Resin

[@shannallen]

What process do you use to paint with the resin so that you don’t get air bubbles or flat or matte spots? Do you need to paint one side at a time?

[@Creative_Shopowner]

To spray you spray one side and then turn it over spray the other side. The resin is a bit more tricky. I may need to make a video.

[@shannallen]

I would LOVE to see a video of the resin process!!

[@yashika-singh]

Beautiful stones Rachel I also have a stone of red colour but the unusual thing about it is, it has too many dark red coloured straight lines on it. And one of my stone changes it colour when it's dry it looks white and whe it's wet it becomes pink. If you know their name or any information about my stones so please tell me.

[@Creative_Shopowner]

Hi, well when rocks are wet they do show differently when they are dry. Like the rocks I pick up on the beach when they dry they get white blotches all of them and some do change or fade in color. Once they get tumbled or I spray them their color comes back. To find out more about your rock you can go on Facebook and look up rockhounding in your area or just rockbounds then show them an image of what you found. That is how the two rockhounding groups I belong to do it. Someone usually can tell you more about your rock. I belong to a club and was just learning about rocks. I had only been with them a year till covid hit. I could bring in my rocks and someone their would just tell me or give me more information on it. You can try googling white rocks that turn pick and look through images to see if your rock shows up. There are also book on the subject too. Hopeful this helps you and you can learn a bit more about your rocks. Also if you found it in your area/state you can google what types of rocks are found in your state. Here in Oregon we have a lot of different rocks but they tell you where to find them in which district. Like obsidian, petrified wood, agate , and Jasper. Jasper which can be dark red to other colors. I have a few rocks that are dark red with white veins in them.

[@sylvialopez5600]

Will this work on landscaping rocks? we have a flowerbed with succulents and the plants really pop when the rocks are wet. it's a big area to cover which is why I'm asking. thx for any tips you are able to offer

[@Creative_Shopowner]

Yes but they may need recoating. The spray is nice because it's quick and if it starts to chip on you, you can just respray the rock. The exposure to light and the elements over time will start to break it down but I have ones in my rock garden now that I did in resin and in this acrylic from this video and still doing fine. It's also in direct sun light but not exposed to too much water. I live in Oregon though so it rains a lot here so they do get exposed to humid weather. For something fast I recommend the spray. The resin takes a while and you have to have more safety gear with it.

[@kenmolica6746]

Lack of UV additive in the liquid used will break down in time and change desired color when in the sun/ day light over a short period of time.

[@serobboshnakyan1048]

hello ive been collecting rocks unique rocks for many years i even dig up the ground deep in the forest and found couple of unbelieveble rocks i always wanted to make them shiny thanks for this and whats the best resign i can get to use it on small rocks

[@Creative_Shopowner]

Hi so it all depends on what you planning to do with them. Like the spray I show in the video I keep my rocks inside in a jar but they can go outside and all I do is go back and respray them. Are they going to be exposed to light? Most epoxy resins will turn yellow depending on how long they are exposed to sunlight. Some only a slight yellow to ones that really yellow. The one in the video worked well in sunlight so far and my rocks been out in a flower box outside with a little rain, cold, wind, and direct sun light. They still look pretty good. So you want to look around for the best epoxy resin for what your looking to do with the rocks. I suggest you watch youtube videos on strength of epoxy resin, what resistance/cracking, and ones on how they deal with being in the sun and possible outside. Someone must of done a video with little blocks of resin to show you what happens to different brands if exposed to sun light. Stay away from the ones that turn your rocks an offal yellow. Then test it out on ones you don't care for. put it outside for like month in direct sunlight. See what happens to the rocks. There are different types of resin from flexible, to brittle, to rock hard. The one in this video I no longer use but it's still a good resin and does well with heat, so good for making coasters with. ( I been tumbling rocks lately bought two large tumblers and playing around with citrine, amethyst, and agate) I have also used Kylon triple thick clear glaze spray which makes stuff really shiny. I had a bubble rock that I just keep on a stand in my office looks great sprayed it over a year ago but it also hardly ever sees natural daylight. Like I always warn read the instructions and wear a respirator ( filters are $20 for two and mask is $15) or do it outside but epoxy if it isn't warm out can take way too long to cure. So do this in a warm climate over 70 degrees it can be done in two days. I do most resin work in the summer and in my garage when I can leave it and cover it with a box encase of dust. This video... I have learned not to do resin in a closed space. Too much exposure can hurt your lungs. So thankfully figure that out before any damage was done. Why the spray is something quicker and a bit saver to do.

[@serobboshnakyan1048]

@@Creative_Shopowner Thank you very much for your response thank you so much for explaining detail by detail I appreciate your time that you give by writing this long text thank you so much I will follow you guides I wish health and happiness to you hopefully it'll work out good for my stones

[@datguynate]

After harvesting all sorts of rocks and cleaning accordingly with either vinegar, lemon juice, muriatic acid, iron out, etc I let them sit in distilled water but I've had a consistent problem after drying them in which a chalky white efflorescence/calcite always seems to come about, sometimes making them look worse than when I first got them. It's been frustrating that it happens before I can clear coat to give them a wet look :( they look awesome after the cleaning but I just need my clean rocks to dry without the cloudy white excessive mineralization taking over before the clear coating. Please advise on how to prevent this. Thank you so much for your time!

[@Creative_Shopowner]

Nathan Lieb Hi have you scrubbed them with hot clean water after the soaks? Then leave them in hot Dawn soapy water for a day so then washed them off? Then let them site dry. dawn has leaves no film. I am making video right now on Iron Out will show results hopefully by next week. Try spraying one you don't care about afterwards and see what happens.

[@datguynate]

@@Creative_Shopowner I'll try the hot water and dawn soak. Thanks for the response!

[@kevinmccarthy35]

Cleaning your rocks with Borax does not leave any residue

[@tomwall2361]

How do you clean/prep the rocks before coating. Just soap and water and let them dry? Do you clean with isopropyl alcohol? Acetone?

[@Creative_Shopowner]

I just soaped my beach rock in hot water with dawn dish soap. The next day I dump the water and rinse them off. Then lay on a paper towel to air dry. Sometimes I take a tooth brush to them and just bought a water pick to lean ones that might have crystal in them. I also small tooth kit comes with a mirror and like metal tooth thing you can get like a Walmart if you have one or Amazon so you can pick smaller rocks out. Then I make sure I have my non stick Teflon mat ( even the flexible backing sheets work too or cookie paper sheet on the slippery sided), small kitchen scale, cups, and stirs ready. A pear of gloves. Be very careful when using alcohol and Acetone some rocks do not like that. Like vinegar can dissolve some rocks. If you use this wear a mask and in a well ventilated area. When I made this video I was just starting out and since then got a nice mask with filters I use when working with resin and when working my rocks on the belts. I now also tumble my stones as well but if I am in a hurry or it's a piece I don't want to toss into the tumbler. I use the resin or the spray. Hope this helps.

[@shirt1205]

Does the resin keep the shine on soapstone sculptures/rocks just as well?

[@Creative_Shopowner]

Not sure, I haven't coated soap stone. Soap stone is soft material so not sure how it will work on it. You might try a small piece you don't care about first and test it in the sun. Their are all different types of epoxies in the market. So this one might not be the best to use. I also have move to a different type of resin. They even had eco friendly type. I still use the spray Minwax stuff though.

[@donsteinhauer552]

I USE HAIR SPRAY, IT'S CHEAP AND EASY TO APPLY AND IT STICKS PRETTY GOOD. MAKE IT AS SHINY AS YOU WANT OR JUST FOG IT ON FOR A MAT FINISH.

[@Creative_Shopowner]

I will have to try that and see what happens. Thanks.

[@donsteinhauer552]

@@Creative_Shopowner IT'S WORTH A TRY, THANK YOU, DON S.

[@skarletx23]

Does the spray bring out the translucency in the rocks ? I realise it loses its translucency once if gets dry

[@Creative_Shopowner]

Yes, it does. I also should mention its been a while since I have done this video. I found out the other day the epoxy if left in the sun turns yellow after a while but there are some epoxies being made now that wont yellow over time and have UV protection. I may try them out on my rocks to see. I put some rock about 7 months ago out side to see what would happen. I also did this with the sprayed ones too. I want to see how they will do over the winter.

[@kimbrown3752]

Do you have a video that actually demonstrates HOW you used the resin?

[@Creative_Shopowner]

Yes, I thought I had it attached video link at the end of the video so you can see. You just wear gloves and dip your hand into the resin and smear it all over the rock. This resin is self leveling. Throw those gloves away and all resins are different. Some cure quickly and other don't cure as quick. That means they heat up when they cure.That resin I used in the video, I can work with for about 15 to 20 mins. before it starts to get too sticky. Takes about two days to fully cure. I been looking into different resin because I am getting back into for summer. You can also put them on the mat and just poor resin over them but it wont coat the bottom of the rock.You might not care about the bottom. Always wear gloves and wear breathing protection. I should of had a mask on but I was in a very large room. I wear a breathing mask these days when using resin. If you have any more question please let me know. I just realize it had this feature on my computer and not all my message were showing up.

[@zathurawweiser8918]

how do you apply the resin

[@DenGio55]

I’m gluing preserved real dried flowers onto rocks. Would the glue adhere to the rock after spraying with Minwax?

[@Creative_Shopowner]

It depends on the glue. Also test it on a flower it may change the color of your flowers. I noticed that some resins will change dried flowers.

[@DenGio55]

@@Creative_Shopowner thank you!

[@sharrahancock4351]

Do you make sure they are thoroughly dry before coating?

[@Creative_Shopowner]

Yes, my rocks been sitting for a while before I spray or coat them.

[@user-ku1vu3jr9u]

How do u paint with 6:47 resin. Sorry. Do u have how to video painting rocks. Is there resin spray

[@Creative_Shopowner]

Hi I have a video attached at the end of this one you click on and it will take you to the video where I paint it with the resin. If you looking for something quick though that clear spray is your best bet. Krylon Crystal Clear is another one if you can't find the one I have in this video that stays one and wont yellow. re Resin you want to wear a mask. At the time I did this in a very large open area but I should of also had a mask on. I was just starting out but since then have a mask I wear. Resin is good for those who want something harder and might actually people might wear or in heavier elements. So if you looking for quick and easy go outside with the spray coat one side ( read the directions) give it some time to dry. flip it and spray the other side. Hope this helps.

[@susiebenson]

2023 just found this. I want u o use a resin to paintbrush on a d because I cannot use sprays. Can I place rocks on parchment paper when done ..to dry? Thank you

[@Creative_Shopowner]

First off why can't you use a spray is the important question? Resin is highly toxic and I would say it just as dangerous as a spray. ( even if it says it has low smell, still doesn't mean it's safe to breath.) You can just coat the rocks wearing gloves. I show how to coat the rocks in a video on my page. Since this stuff heats up you kind of have to work quickly and dispose of your gloves in a trash bag and then right not to the trach can outside. It need to be in a very well ventilated area. ( garage) When I did this video I was still learning about resin myself. I now wear a mask ( with 3M filter) when working with resin but I also just learned how to use a tumbler for smaller rocks and tumble my rocks now. Which is super easy but does take me a month to see my rocks. I still coat rocks from time to time though. You can lay this on parchment and it should peal right off the parchment/wax paper/ butcher paper the waxy side. You can use a brush but it's a one time thing so you should use use a disposable one. Why I just wear gloves and spear it on because it's self leveling meaning it levels out. Sometimes I might have to go back for one more coat but then it's fully covered. I just recently painted rocks with acrylic and covered them in epoxy and that as last summer and they still have not changed in color a full year later. I find I like the epoxy more not then the brand in my video it is very clear. Read the instructions and remember the resin can be a bit tricky so if you want to try one. Try watching a video on how to use that brand of epoxy resin. Each on acts a bit differently. Hopefully this helps you but if you can't be near any chemical. I suggest you get yourself a Loretone tumbler small one to start with and just tumble your rocks in your garage. Some individual can't be around chemicals or maybe in your area sprays are not allowed. So I say be careful when using the resin it's fun to play with but do your research before coating things with it.

[@susiebenson]

@Rachel_Creative_Shopowner oh thank you very much. I cannot be around sprays. I've painted rocks for garden labeling and painting a small pi ture of what I planted gor years now....my hubby would spray them. He has a couple of tumblers that take soooo long and I thought I could just paint a varathan coating to shiny it up. Americana craft paints have one.we put some stones in a small string bag, like for jewelry, and gift them to a gem shop for 5$ a piece. Of which gets donated to the State Pediatrics for Drug Babies. Not much, but each one counts yes. And they're waiting for some, but alas, the tumbler only does do many. Thank you again for your KINDNESS , I will pay it forward.

[@Creative_Shopowner]

@@susiebenson That's great you do all that with what you do. So yes if you can't be near chemicals epoxy resin you can't be near either. If you husband can spray them. I say the wax/cookie paper will do just fin. spray it let it dry and flip them over. If you want a really high shine I found that Krylon Crystal clear might be a good option for you. I haven't seen that yellow either. Good luck.

[@ThePinktina1]

Will this work for outdoor rocks?

[@Creative_Shopowner]

Yes, I put them outside. All these rock you see are now outside. I just wanted to see what would happen. They may need to be resprayed if you go with the spray every few years. Some epoxy resin does yellow when in sun but you can look into a UV protective kind that is for outside use. That's if this sits in the sun all day long. I have had a few out in the yard in the sun and weather for a year now they still look about the same. It's just a faster way then doing a tumbler. Resin has come a long way these days.

[@Matt-xv2cp]

The Minwax Polycrylic spray gives a glossy or matte finish?

[@Creative_Shopowner]

You can choose matte or glossily. I think I chose glossy and it gave it like semi gloss. So it wasn't as supper glossy as being polished or resin poor. So I felt it gave the rock a bit of a wet look. Their is Kylron spray super glossy that I have used and it hasn't yellowed. That has a very polished look to it if you want a higher polish. I always say test the sprays out on a few rocks your don't care as much about to see if you like the effect or not. Some rocks don't take a polish very well.

[@Matt-xv2cp]

@@Creative_Shopowner Awesome, thank you.

[@11Evalone]

Have you thought about wiping rock down in mineral oil?

[@Creative_Shopowner]

They say you can do this and then put it in the oven. The only down side to it is that it could break and blow up in the oven. So I just went and tired alternatives because you don't know what's inside of a rock. Some rocks you can put in the oven but a lot of the rocks I pick up on the beach could have something in them I don't trust. So spray or epoxy resin was an alterative. Why I shared this video. I also plan to buy a tumbler eventually. I also now know how to polish rocks, and cut them/shape them. I wear a mask now when working with resin and when working on rocks. Some rock dust can be deadly. I also were close fitting gloves when working with rocks because some rocks the dust can leach into your skin and get you sick. I wear a high grade safety classes too so if the rocks spit out at me they don't go through my glasses and cut my eye. I have had a few rocks chip while working and hit my safety glasses already. Something a lot of rock people tend to ignore when teaching. So now I am very careful when working with rocks. I wear the mast because when you get old and you have lung issue if they find out you ever worked with rocks...insurance wont cover you. So I want to stay as safe as possible while working. I been exposed to lost of chemicals over the years. So much smarter these days.

[@bottledoo3639]

@@Creative_Shopowner wow great info thank you for this info😮

[@bakedto420]

could i use this for real gems?..

[@CrickyMoose]

Would have been 1000% more useful to see a Resin application

[@Creative_Shopowner]

Chris Goodman I have a video on my page how to coat apply the resin.

[@CrickyMoose]

Ok! I’ll go look. I’ve modge podged leaves to a rock, now want to resin it. Do you think that will work?

[@Creative_Shopowner]

Chris Goodman yes but make sure you got at least three coats of it on. The reason for that is to have a good seal so that the resin won't bleed through. If it does it will look like the leafs got wet/oily. Good luck and cool idea.

[@bottledoo3639]

Can either method be reversed?

[@Creative_Shopowner]

This is spray and resin. The resin is hard to get off. A guy I know was able to sand off the varnish a very large piece of petrified wood but these rocks are small so it be quite hard to sand it off. In time the resin might faked off but to take it off would a bit hard. If it starts to flake in a few years you just recoat it. I still have the ones from this in my garden. So only do this to rocks you want to display and has no value. I have tons of rocks with no value that are just pretty too look at. I have since just started to tumble my rocks since I do lapidary now but if I wanted to do this again for a different look and faster then waiting a month. I also do this to pieces that I now can't be put into a tumbler but still like to see them shiny. So be choosy with which rocks you do this too.

[@yettawinda9851]

Who’s here in 2023? lol

[@kathewilson6387]

What glue do you use to glue ricks together for a bowl?

[@marekharenda1399]

Me

[@lokanoda]

Who gives a fuck?

[@rainbowsandkittens1537]

I bought some of this resin but then I heard it will yellow. Boo hoo. Did it for (any of) you?