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Mica powder is one of the most popular choices for coloring epoxy resin. That’s because mica naturally adds iridescent shine, as well as rich vibrant color. The result is swirl patterns and natural glimmer that instantly transforms resin crafts and pours.
If you’re new to using mica to color epoxy resin, you might be wondering: How much mica should I use in resin? When should I mix the mica in the resin?
We wanted to put together this how-to guide to help you start coloring epoxy crafts with mica powder. The good news is it’s super easy. All you need is your favorite shade of natural mineral mica or synthetic mica powder to get started!
MICA POWDER VS RESIN DYE
Is mica powder the best colorant for epoxy resin? Yes! There are many different ways you can color epoxy resin, but mica powder offers some key advantages over resin dyes. Here are some of the benefits of using mica in resin art:
- Shiny Appearance – Mica adds natural glimmer, similar to a metallic-flake paint on cars. That’s due to the natural mineral flakes in mica, which have light-reflecting properties. Resin dye, on the other hand, tends to result in matte and muted colors.
- Cost: Mica powders tend to be more cost-effective than resin dyes and epoxy pigments.
- Shelf Life: Mica powder is much more shelf-stable than epoxy dyes; you can stock up on mica powder, and use those colors months or years down the road.
Although liquid pigments are a suitable colorant choice, mica powder’s shiny, glimmering appearance makes it a clear winner for a range of projects, including river tables, live edge tables, resin casting and all types of deep pour resin projects.
WHAT TYPES OF RESIN PROJECTS IS MICA POWDER GOOD FOR?
You can use mica powder for just about any epoxy project. Whether you’re working on deep-pour river tables, or smaller resin-casting projects like coasters or resin jewelry, mica adds a burst of vibrant color and a shimmering, glowing effect. Use mica powder for these epoxy projects:
- Epoxy river tables
- Live edge wood slab tables
- Resin-casting projects, including resin jewelry, geodes and coasters
- Epoxy resin turning blanks
- Furniture refinishing
HOW MUCH MICA POWDER IN EPOXY RESIN?
Mixing mica in resin produces dazzling colors, but you have to get the ratio just right.
The amount of mica to mix in resin really depends on your desired effect and the thickness of your pour. If you want an intensely colored, opaque look, for example, you’d use more mica powder. In a live edge table, where you might want a more transparent pour to keep the wood grain visible, you’d use less mica powder.
One thing to remember: A little bit of mica powder goes a long way. Before adding mica, always test colors in a small batch, or slowly add in pigment until you’ve reached your desired color. (You can always add more!) But you don’t want to add too much: Overloading your resin with mica can cause resin to improperly cure, resulting in a brittle finished project.
HOW TO MIX MICA POWDER IN EPOXY RESIN
Before you start, make sure the mica powder is completely dry. If any moisture is present in the mica, the resin won’t cure properly. Ultimately, most epoxy kits come with two ingredients: Resin and a hardener.
Mix the resin and hardener according to the directions on the packaging. Usually, you’ll want to mix these ingredients for 5-7 minutes. Then, it’s time to add your mica color. There are two ways to add mica to resin:
Stir-In Method:
You can mix mica into the resin by hand with a mixing stick or using a paint-mixing drill-bit (especially useful for larger projects). Mix thoroughly. You’ll want to evenly distribute the mica powder throughout the resin.
Pre-Mix Method:
It can be helpful to pre-mix the mica with a smaller amount of resin, especially for smaller-volume projects. To do this, apply a small amount of resin onto a wax surface or into a small cup. Mix the mica powder into the solution, until it is completely dissolved. Then add this to your main epoxy solution.
Mixing 2 or More Colors:
If you want to swirl two mica colors in resin, you’ll want to mix two batches. Here’s how: After mixing the resin and hardener, split your mixture in two smaller containers (or more if you want to swirl 3 or more colors). Mix your colors in and stir thoroughly.
Then, when you’re ready to pour, start with your base color. This will be whichever color with the most volume. And then pour in each additional color. You can then use a toothpick to swirl the colors a bit, before letting the epoxy cure.