How to Sand and Polish Epoxy Resin to a Gloss Shine

[@amandasappington5817]

Just made my first resin mold jewelry box last night. Super happy with how it turned out thanks to all your instructional and tutorials! Thank you all the way from Texas, USA

[@NinaHansen2008]

I love how you share ideas and credit with other artists!

[@larryslemp9698]

For the life of me, I cannot imagine how you managed to keep the piece balanced on that little, tiny plastic cup, much less actually apply pressure and 'work' on the piece!!

[@missbraithwaite1697]

This video was brilliant! Better than any others I’ve watched. Thank you so much!

[@tassiisabstractart6461]

Thank you so much it was a huge help to see how to do this...You are the best Steve

[@karenwaddell4724]

Omg Steve!!! I have decided to sand and polish some pieces. Your second piece shape looks so similar to my piece. The type of pour. I think it’s the same mold😱. Playing a little of that x-files music in my head😂. You have an amazing day. ❤️🙏🏻❤️

[@nedrysoft]

Not sure if anybody else has mentioned it, but adding a drop of washing up liquid helps to while polishing as it increases the viscosity of the water and makes it slightly slicker. Something that is used by modellers. Also, check out micromesh as well for polishing free you’re done with the wet and dry.

[@leslierhoades2753]

This video is AWESOME 👏 All your videos are so helpful, but this is one of the best! I'm a beginner, & over the last few months I've found out 2 very important things: 1) I totally suck at it! 😄 (but hopefully will get better soon) & 2) You're tutorials have been invaluable! Thank you so much!!!

[@MagicAmmo]

Thank you so much for this and for explaining everything in so much detail. I had tried this but didn't use water as well as a few other mistakes. This was very useful.

[@melodysnow5997]

I have a hack I use instead of sanding... I use a very very thin layer of UV resin on the area or item that needs polishing...works every time with a lot less effort

[@denisesmith216]

Oh my gosh, this is more helpful than you know, and will save me from doing multiple topcoats due to dust/hair! I actually just did a 4th and "final" coat on a 15" round, and low and behold, two hairs. I thought I had to do another topcoat, so am really happy to have come across your video. I actually have that polish kit, but didn't know about the sanding part, so thank you very much! I'm purchasing the sandpaper and dremel tips from your links below :-)

[@denisesmith216]

@@SteveMcDonaldArtsandCrafts Hi Steve, thanks again! I subscribed, and look forward to more of your videos!

[@lisaroberts23]

Hi Steve, thanks for another great video 😬 can i ask the names of the rubbing compound that you can get from auto shop please. Thank you

[@naudiaangelica6925]

Hey! I don't know if you know, but shop vac makes sanding attachments that you use while the vacuum is running, and it sucks up all that dust and grit! Just make sure to put a knee high nylon in the end of the suction tube, because that dust is impossible to get out of the filter!!

[@gloriamitchell6056]

I love your accent!!

[@candycupcake11]

Thanks Steve!! Great job thanks for sharing. :)

[@cindyfinn4845]

Good morning Steve I need to get sand paper on the list along with rubbing compound..great tips

[@cindyfinn4845]

@@SteveMcDonaldArtsandCrafts You're welcome you make it look easy which is very helpful and I watched Myriam's tutorial a couple weeks ago .:)

[@cindyfinn4845]

@@SteveMcDonaldArtsandCrafts Yes she is very talented and i love watching her videos as well, and I have components ready to pour and just waiting on some gilding flakes.

[@cindyfinn4845]

@@SteveMcDonaldArtsandCrafts The angel wings are some I had cast and didnt use yet and I had a heart just needed painted and looking at another item that may be the skirt/dress Im going to glue white tissue paper to it and highlight it with gold and the background is black,antique gold and with some gilding flakes yes the flakes are divine.

[@cindyfinn4845]

@@SteveMcDonaldArtsandCrafts Hopefully by next week I really have to tinker with the dimensional aspect of the piece after resin cures, I will take step 2 slowly..

[@cindyfinn4845]

@@SteveMcDonaldArtsandCrafts Im tinkering with paint to make a head mould but want flesh tone in resin. I have one that is made with air clay but Im not happy with it and Im out of air clay alas I do have plaster of paris aha... I think that may work but I probably wont bake until I get these components just right...I will bake another crumb cake when I have a success party..lol

[@Jestunes]

You're incredible. I am making a wizard's staff with the exact resin casting you are using. It's attached to the staff so I have to be more careful. Thank you so much!!!

[@lindafrier1615]

Thanks, I have never seen this process from start to finish 👍🏻

[@lindafrier1615]

Steve McDonald Arts and Crafts thanks 🙂

[@saykul90]

Sorry if this is a stupid question. Can you reuse the sand paper for a different piece after polishing?

[@ilonamolnar573]

Can you sand and polish a section on a resin pyramid that stuck to mold? I cleaned off mold that was stuck on my piece. That section is not crystal clear, will this process work ?

[@angiebartist]

Answered many questions for me. Thank you. 😀

[@shirleybatten-smith8361]

Thanks for sharing a very informative video. Could I go straight to the high grade sanding paper for tiny imperfections?

[@odamggd]

Hi Steve I saw you do miracles fixing resin problems, so would you have an idea to fix bubbles on outside of cured pyramid? Thanks 🙏

[@janetann9823]

I have 2 quite big pieces that I think I’ve ruined 😭 I have tried sanding and polishing and I’m still not happy.....maybe I should repeat? I love how informative your videos are. Thank you so much for doing them, it really helps us newbies 😁

[@marn2737]

Hi Steve thanks for very useful video! I clicked on your polish plastic for find out what’s your rubber compound and polish but there is other material!please tell me what’s yours and I search myself.thanks a lot.

[@abbymcmahon365]

Great tips Steve! I have a little tip for you too. I noticed your piece shifted slightly sitting on your tiny cup. I use a dab of hot glue between the layer of tape and the cup to keep the piece from shifting or falling completely off the cup! 🤯 You probably already know this though. 😬 Looking forward to your next video!

[@abbymcmahon365]

Your welcome ❤️

[@bethjoyce8686]

Thanks Steve, good info. You mentioned a video of someone names Myriam using a dremel to clean a coaster. Do you have a link for that ?

[@Itsyogirl_mommatman]

Steve I plan to use all these grades sandpaper on a a cutting board I made out of Jenga blocks and epoxy. Then I will use the yellow tube of the rubbing compound and then I will also use the little tube for The Shining of the plastic and acrylic. But I was wondering if you could tell me because my piece is bigger could I just get my piece wet and then rub it over with the Sandpaper or what do you suggest

[@joannegreenwood3803]

Looking for a video that shows me how to do this with my dremel please so I know the tight heads to use.

[@t_butko]

Me tooooooo!

[@appiyadineshbabu2875]

hi Great video! I'm learning to cast resin and i trying to do tea table . I cant polish properly . i am using 3m 1 step finishing compound and 3m premium liqued wax but trere some scratches how can i remove the scratches

[@sandrafranklin5904]

Try adding a drop of dish soap to your water. It is a fantastic way to make the sand paper glide on your surface.

[@sutela2060]

Thank you for your good and helpful video, 😁

[@sutela2060]

@@SteveMcDonaldArtsandCrafts couldn't you make a video of, how to make a: resin druzy mold without silicone🙏? You make so many good things and explain so well

[@deborahswings]

That works great hun.

[@ashleyfalcon1115]

So do I need to use all those sand papers there’s not just a sanding tool I can use? I made an ashtray and on the sides I notice the little dents and I’m not sure how to go all around a square ashtray to fix it :(

[@leannereading-brown1095]

Have you any videos on amine? Seem to have some issues sou looking what I can do to fix? X

[@lalacee107]

Great video! What is the name of the rubbing compound you used before the polish? Also, when Polishing do you have to wet the piece?

[@sanifordkate]

How well did the tape come off?

[@amywike1196]

I've made some skulls and I was not able to get rid of the bubbles completely because it was a deeper piece. I'm hoping to be able to sand it down as much as I can. The bubbles behind the eyes I cannot touch but I can smooth the back side down.

[@nerileistv5744]

Hi sir I'm here also to support you keep going PO Godbless ❤️

[@stephanief6649]

If I don't have any imperfections in my finished resin piece do I still need to apply polish? Also once you apply the polish to let's say coaster would the polish come off if they needed to be cleaned down the road. Sorry for the questions but I made an ocean themed serving tray as a gift and I wasn't sure if you had to polish it or if it was optional

[@annebaillie7477]

Hiya, I love your work and videos. I'm having problems with the finish on my resin when i follow what you do with sanding and polishing etc it doesnt come up glossy even when sanding wet. The end result ends it being slightly shiny and slightly clear but it seems no matter how much i wet sand or polish and scrub it doesn't do anything. I'm at my wits end and feeling like giving it up. I don't suppose you could offer some advice please?, I'd be so grateful. Thanks

[@bennettyates4840]

What kind of Dremel bits are you using

[@lifesong1976]

Can you spray a clear coat of acrylic paint after you sand it?

[@KennyKrumpin16]

I’m curious also

[@irisrainwater2833]

Is there anyway you can show how to do this with a sphere. I have a piece I really need to buff and polish due to tons of microbubbles?

[@DanielleKatie-u3f]

Hey Steve does this work with wavy resin?

[@christalniles]

Hi Steve I just found your KZbin videos and they are GREAT! Can you link the plastic polish? I’ve tried searching online and SO MANY come up with multi steps. Thanks a bunch. I’m in the US so maybe not even available. Thanks for sharing!

[@rhiannoncarvalho4872]

Apologies if you saw my deleted comment. The video started with this and went to a different piece right after intro. It played like the same video. Totally weird. Thanks for posting.

[@mrobson59]

Hi Steve, Great video, can I ask what speed did you have the Dremel at? Thanks for sharing

[@AllyshaMighten]

Thank you sooo much!

[@HollieAndApollo]

Can I ask.. what do you do if the piece doesn’t have a flat bottom? Like a crystal point pendant

[@Cuddlingus]

im making trays and crystals out of resin, is there a need to polish them? and if so , how?

[@yadhuakyadhu7468]

Which polishing compound are you using?

[@tracisusong6991]

Hi how long are u sanding each grit

[@CharisA25]

Would I have to do this process if I have a air bubble hole in a resin tray or ashtray for example. I will get a bubble in my full resin project. I have tried grinding it but the then the whole now has a new shape. (Ashtray lid, air bubble hole on side of lid where it touches the ashtray)

[@mtglover13]

Hi Steve! New subscriber here, great video! I’m currently using ‘Arts Resin’ here in Canada. I just tried the sanding method and a plastic polish and my pieces now have a thin frothy white coat on them. Any ideas why? I’m also wondering if you ever ad a layer of resin to your polished pieces for clear shine? Thanks so much!

[@mtglover13]

Steve McDonald Arts and Crafts Hi Steve! Thanks for your response! Good tips, I started to sand a day later so that is probably it! I’m also looking at getting a different type of resin as the bubbles are driving me crazy with Arts Resin! I will continue to do my research and hopefully find the best one :) Thanks again for your help!!

[@thebabyjumper1387]

So in real time, how long should you sand with each grit of sandpaper?

[@thebabyjumper1387]

Steve McDonald Arts and Crafts it does thanks!

[@danagrobeson3906]

Will this method work on UV resin?

[@Thecraftinggirlboutique]

Is sanding really necessary? It’s alot of work. Is there a work around

[@XxglowslyxX]

I tried this on my ashtrey but my resin looks so cloudy after sanding. Am I not sanding enough? I would really love to polish my resin and have them shine but I haven’t gotten the hang of it

[@floriagoharriz]

My coasters become yellow what can I do with that

[@catskillz3281]

Would you have any tips for someone trying to sand/polish a resin cast creature with nooks/crannies and such?

[@catskillz3281]

@@SteveMcDonaldArtsandCrafts I will try that, thank you!

[@aprilstammerman9645]

Do I really need a rubbing compound?

[@SharonaKian]

What kind of respirator do you use to protect your lungs from the VOCs?

[@mikeswain9085]

Hello Steve, when you mention "pouring resin", can I ask what that is please? I use Art Resin to apply a resin finish to the precast stones I decorate. I love the results but I can't apply the finish without getting runs or slight sags. I coat the bottom half of the stone with a foam brush almost wiping all the resin off then leave it to dry and cure before coating the top half in the same way. No matter how thin a coat I apply, I always get runs. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

[@runnymedecrafts2018]

I'm new to resin and are not getting the results I need sanding cured resin

[@larriehopkins9880]

I’ve just tried sanding a coaster with 240, 600, 1000, 5000, 7000 and it’s all scratched and dull. What have I done wrong?

[@MichelleHeighway]

so you put 50.50 epoxy resin on again to make it shine after polish and let it set for 24 hours thanks

[@celesteamberbagley3996]

Can anyone help me? I used my UV resin that I’ve had for a couple of months. It’s mostly hardened but just hasn’t finished hardening and has remained sticky . I’ve had it under a UV light for around an HOUR BUT STILL NO JOY. WHAT CAN I DO?

[@lisacairns4987]

Hi Everyone, I have recently getting into resin and made mostly coasters so far. I am just after some advice on the finished product. I really enjoyed your video on the sanding process. Unfortunately I'm not having much look in achieving a scratch-less finish. I have spent ages sanding moving through the different grits and then buffing with a dremel. I appear to be getting more and more scratching during the whole process and don't understand why. The scratches don't appear to be deep, more like surface scratches that are visable in the sunlight. Can anyone please give me any advice? Thanks

[@SICresinwrks]

I know im months late but maybe you apply too much pressure while sanding? Hope you figured it out

[@ErinRoseBaby]

Which "pouring resin" did you use?

[@ErinRoseBaby]

@@SteveMcDonaldArtsandCrafts Thanks Steve! Sadly I don't think it's available in US!

[@maeve4385]

❤

[@rhiannoncarvalho4872]

Why would you intro with a coaster and then work on a different piece¿

[@TomRAFC]

Do you ever sand with a dremel bit if you have a large amount to do?

[@TomRAFC]

@@SteveMcDonaldArtsandCrafts I really appreciate the reply, love the channel. What grit would you start with on a dremel for epoxy resin?

[@drnh4444]

A lot of people recommend Yorkshire grit... DON'T use that. It leaves bad scratches on resin. No idea who thought it was a good idea. Using sandpaper and then finish with good quality car polishes i find work perfectly

[@Learningzone89]

Sand paper make my resin jewlry more Rough