Heat Gun vs Torch for Resin: Which One Should You Choose?

Resin crafting has become extremely popular because of its versatility and ability to create beautiful art pieces and functional items. However, working with resin requires special tools to get professional results. Two commonly used tools for resin work are heat guns and torches. Resin crafting tools are crucial for achieving your resin projects' desired finish and quality. As a resin artist, it's important to understand these tools well to improve your craft.

If you're new to resin art or want to learn more about the differences between heat guns and torches, attending a resin art workshop can be a great idea to gain valuable knowledge about how these tools are used in practice, helping you decide which one is best for your specific projects.

In this blog, we'll explore the details of heat guns and torches as important tools for resin work. Knowing their strengths and weaknesses allows you to choose the right tool for your resin projects more effectively.

Heat Gun for Resin Crafting

A heat gun is an indispensable tool used in resin crafting due to its efficiency and versatility. Let’s delve into the advantages of incorporating a heat gun into your resin work:

1. Efficient Removal of Epoxy Resin Bubbles With a Heat Gun

One of the primary benefits of using a heat gun is its ability to eliminate bubbles from epoxy resin. Applying heat to the surface causes the trapped air bubbles to rise to the top and burst, resulting in a smooth and bubble-free finish. This technique significantly surpasses other methods like blowing through a straw or using a toothpick, which may not provide precise control over the intensity of heat applied.

2. Precise Temperature Control During Curing

Unlike other techniques where temperature control is challenging, a heat gun offers precise control over the intensity of heat applied to the resin during the curing process. This level of control ensures that the resin is not overheated or underheated, which is particularly important when working with delicate materials like pre-pregs or when applying spar urethane on wooden surfaces.

3. Professional-grade Finish Achievable With a Heat Gun

Using a heat gun can help achieve an expert-level finish on resin projects. It aids in levelling out the surface by melting any uneven areas and creating a glossy and professional-looking result. This technique is especially valuable when working with resins that cure under UV light, as it effectively removes bubbles without compromising the integrity of the uncured UV resin.

Overall, a heat gun is an invaluable tool for resin crafting. It offers efficient bubble removal, precise temperature control during curing, and the ability to achieve professional-grade finishes.

Disadvantages of Using a Heat Gun for Resin Work

While heat guns offer several advantages for resin work, there are also some drawbacks. These include:

• Potential issues with blowing dust into the resin: When using a heat gun, there is a risk of blowing dust particles into the resin. This can result in a less desirable finish and affect the project's appearance.
• Soft or cloudy appearance of colours: The blowing action of a heat gun can disturb the surface of the resin, causing colours to appear smooth or cloudy. This can be particularly problematic when working with transparent or translucent resins, affecting their clarity and vibrancy.

It's important to note that these disadvantages can be minimised with proper technique and precautions. Here are some tips to overcome these challenges:

• Use a heat gun in a clean and dust-free environment to reduce the risk of dust contamination.
• Hold the heat gun at an appropriate distance from the resin surface to prevent excessive blowing of dust particles.
• Work in small sections to minimise potential colour effects and use short bursts of heat rather than prolonged blowing.
• Clean and maintain your heat gun regularly to ensure it's free from debris or dust that could be blown into the resin.

By being aware of these potential drawbacks and implementing these techniques, you can still achieve excellent results with a heat gun for your resin projects.

Why Use a Torch for Resin Art?

Using a torch in resin art has become increasingly popular among artists due to its numerous benefits. Here's why many artists choose to incorporate a torch into their resin work:

1. Precise Control over Flame Intensity and Direction

One of the main advantages of using a torch is having complete control over the flame. This level of control allows you to:

• Target specific areas of your resin artwork.
• Ensure effective removal of bubbles without overheating or damaging the surrounding resin.

2. Effective Removal of Surface Dust and Particles

A torch is highly effective at incinerating any surface dust or particles that may be present in the resin. By quickly passing the flame over the surface, artists can eliminate any potential contaminants, resulting in a cleaner and more professional finish to their artwork.

3. Prevention of Soft or Cloudy Appearance in Colours

Unlike some other methods, using a torch can help prevent the soft or cloudy appearance that may result from dust blown onto the resin. By quickly and efficiently removing any airborne particles, artists can maintain the clarity and vibrancy of their colours, resulting in stunning, high-quality pieces.

By harnessing these advantages, artists can achieve exceptional results when using a torch for resin projects.

Disadvantages of Using a Torch for Resin Work

When you use a torch for resin work, there are some things you should be aware of:

• Risk of Burning or Melting Moulds: One potential drawback of using a torch for resin work is the possibility of burning or melting moulds, especially if you move the torch too slowly. This can harm the moulds and impact the final look of your resin artwork.

It is crucial to remember this risk and learn techniques that reduce the chance of damaging your moulds when using a torch for resin work.

Choosing the Right Tool for Your Resin Projects

Choosing between a heat gun and a torch depends on several factors regarding resin work. Here are some considerations to help you decide which tool is more suitable for your resin projects:

• Project Size: The size of your project plays a significant role in determining the tool you should use. A heat gun may be more practical due to its wider coverage area if you work on large-scale projects such as countertops or tabletops. On the other hand, if you're working on smaller items like jewellery or coasters, resin jewellery making might benefit from the better precision provided by a torch.
• Desired Finish: Another important factor to consider is the desired finish of your resin project. A heat gun efficiently removes epoxy resin bubbles and achieves an expert-level finish. It allows you to control the intensity of heat, ensuring a smooth and bubble-free surface. However, using a heat gun can sometimes blow dust into the resin, resulting in a soft or cloudy appearance of colours.
• Artistic Preference: Your artistic preference should also be considered when choosing between a heat gun and a torch. Some artists may prefer a heat gun's control and ease of use, while others may enjoy a torch's versatility and artistic effects.

To make an informed decision, it's recommended to experiment with both tools on smaller test projects before committing to larger resin projects. This will help you understand their unique effects and determine which tool aligns better with your artistic vision.

Conclusion

Consider your project needs and desired outcomes when deciding between a heat gun and a torch for resin work. Both tools have advantages and disadvantages; the choice ultimately depends on personal preference.

To make an informed decision, we recommend experimenting with both tools to understand their unique effects on resin art projects. This hands-on approach lets you determine which tool best suits your specific needs and artistic style.