Alumilite Clear Casting Resin for Woodturning
The Speedy Solution for Woodturners
Take your woodturning to the next level with Alumilite Clear, the faster alternative to Clear Slow. Perfect for when you need stunning clarity and precision, but with a quicker cure time. Create smooth, turnable blanks and vibrant, crystal-clear castings in less time, while still achieving a professional finish with ease.
This fast-setting resin allows for intricate detail work, making it the ideal choice for woodturning projects that demand both speed and quality.
- Quick Cure Time: 60 minute demold time for faster results
- Crystal Clear Finish: Perfect for embedding, encapsulation, and bright, colorful projects
- Easy Mixing: 1:1 ratio by weight with low viscosity for maximum wood penetration
- Polish to Perfection: Easily polish to a flawless high-gloss finish without worrying about heat build up
**Clarity of the A side will vary based on the color of raw materials used in formulation.**
Features
✅ Crystal Clear Results:
Achieve stunning clarity with a high-gloss finish, perfect for artistic and industrial projects alike.
✅ Easy Mixing:
Simple 1:1 mix ratio by weight—just blend and pour, with working times of 7 minutes for complete control.
✅ Durable & Long-Lasting:
Hardens into a tough, clear piece that’s resistant to chipping and cracking, even for intricate projects.
✅ Versatile Uses:
Ideal for everything from encapsulations to prototypes, turning, and custom parts creation.
🚫 Skip Bubbles:
Get flawless results with the help of a pressure pot for bubble-free perfection every time!
FAQ
What is Alumilite Clear used for?
✨ Alumilite Clear is a versatile casting resin ideal for creating crystal-clear castings, artistic pieces, quick prototypes, and encapsulating objects. It’s popular for use in artistic and industrial applications, including woodworking, turning, and crafting detailed parts.
How long do I have to work with Alumilite Clear after mixing?
⌛You have approximately 7 minutes to work with the resin before it begins to set. For optimal results when adding color to the resin, it's best to wait until the resin reaches around 105°F before introducing dyes or pigments. This allows the resin to thicken, preventing the colors from blending too much and helping you achieve sharp, distinct color separations. Adding color too early, while the resin is still fluid, may cause the colors to blend or swirl more than desired, especially in artistic applications. Waiting for the resin to reach this optimal temperature gives you more control over the final look of your piece. But don't forget you onlyhave 7 minutes until it starts to set!
Do I need to use a Pressure Pot to prevent bubbles in my casting?
🎊 Yes, to get the best results with Alumilite Clear, using a pressure pot is highly recommended! The pressure pot helps eliminate air bubbles by compressing them, leaving you with a crystal-clear finish. Without it, you may notice small bubbles trapped in your casting, especially with more intricate molds or fine details. If you’re going for that perfect, glass-like clarity, the pressure pot is the way to go. Just make sure to use a pot rated for at least 40-50 PSI for optimal results.
Whats the diffeence between using a pressure pot and a vacuum chamber?
💧 A vacuum chamber removes air bubbles from the resin before pouring by creating a low-pressure environment, causing bubbles to rise and burst, which is great for degassing thick or viscous materials like silicone. However, a pressure pot works differently; it compresses air bubbles in the resin after it’s been poured into the mold, shrinking them so small they become invisible, which is crucial for achieving a flawless, bubble-free finish, especially in clear resins like Alumilite Clear. For best results, especially with clear casting, a pressure pot is the go-to tool!
Can I pour Alumilite Clear in thick layers?
🪄 Yes, you can cast layers that are 1/8" thick or larger. However, for very large pours (over 4 inches thick), excessive heat (exotherm) can build up, causing cracks. It's best to pour in thinner layers for large projects to prevent overheating.
What is the difference between Alumilite Clear and Alumilite Clear Slow?
🌟The primary difference is the open time.
Alumilite Clear has a 7-minute open time, making it ideal for projects where you need a faster setting resin.
Alumilite Clear Slow has a 12-minute open time, giving you more flexibility and time to work, especially useful for larger or more detailed projects.
Both versions offer the same high clarity and durability once cured.
How should I store my urethanes to keep them in the best condition?
❄️ Store your urethanes in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight and high temperatures, ideally between 60°F and 75°F (15°C to 24°C). Keep the container tightly sealed to prevent moisture and air from affecting the formula. Wiping the container tops before sealing can help prevent stuck caps.
What are the best conditions for pouring and displaying urethane projects?
☀️ For the best results, pour urethanes in a well-ventilated, temperature-controlled environment with humidity below 60% to prevent defects and bubbles. Once cured, keep finished projects out of direct sunlight to prevent discoloration or degradation.
Downloadable Resources
Need Help Getting Started?
Check out RESIN CASTING 101 and become a pro in no time! Have other questions? Give us a call (269-488-4000) and our team of experts will assist you.
Glass-Like Clarity
Alumilite Clear offers unmatched clarity and durability, making it perfect for projects requiring a glass-like finish.
With its easy 1:1 mix ratio by weight, Alumilite Clear ensures a user-friendly experience while producing stunning, bubble-free results when paired with pressure casting.
The resin’s 7-minute open time allows for plenty of work time and accelerates the cure time to completion.
Pro Tips for Flawless Resin Pours
To achieve the best color effects, adjust your pouring time to control how much the colors blend.
For more distinct colors, pour resin closer to round 105°F—this thicker consistency prevents the colors from blending or muddling, giving you sharp, distinct color separations for a truly professional finish.
Remember, you must thoroughly mix, add colorants, pour, and apply pressure within 7 minutes!
Achieve a Flawless Mirror Finish
Sanding: For the smoothest finish, start with micromesh pads, wet sanding from 4000 up to 12000 grit for a flawless surface.
For an even more polished result, try 3M Zona Paper—start with the green 600 grit to remove tooling marks, then work through the colors, finishing with the white 22,000 grit for a crystal-clear finish.
Polishing Compound: After sanding, apply a polishing compound and buff at low speeds (around 800 RPM) to bring out the best shine.
Buffing: Use a soft cloth or polishing wheel, like Ultra Glass Max, to achieve a brilliant, high-gloss finish. To make it extra smooth, apply your favorite high-quality car polish or carnauba wax.
⭐ Heat Protection: Alumilite Clear's unique formula minimizes heat buildup during sanding and polishing, ensuring a perfect, glass-like finish every time!
**Incredible tips from professional woodworker Troy Shipley**
Master Bubble-Free Castings
Your Essential Guide to Pressure Casting Success
✅ Shallow, open molds: Achieve bubble-free results by maintaining 40 psi of pressure.
✅ Deeper or narrow molds: Increase to 80 psi for effective bubble elimination.
✅ Curing times (at 70-75°F): Maintain pressure for 60 minutes to ensure crystal-clear castings.
✅ Moisture Management: Moisture content of wood should be no more than 5%. Stabilizing is a best practice. Dry air supply is required. Water or alcohol-based dyes not compatible.
✅ Cooler temperatures: Simply extend your pressure time to prevent bubble expansion in cold environments.
🚫 No more than 2500 grams in a single pour or you run the risk of thermal cracking or rippling
Polishing Alumilite Clear on the Lathe
In this video, we walk you through the essential steps for polishing Alumilite Clear on the lathe, showcasing how to achieve a flawless, glass-like finish. It’s a simple, no-nonsense demonstration that shows you exactly how polishing should be done—perfect for anyone looking to master the process with ease and precision. a perfect, glass-like finish every time!
**Incredible tips from professional woodworker Troy Shipley**
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