Can I paint resin that haven't hardened?

[tomek917]

I just received some resin houses. One of them is quite sticky and shiny, it seems wet, I suppose there isn't enough hardener in the resin so it hasn't dried.

Can I still paint it? Should I put something else on it first, like varnish?

Since I live in Sweden I really don't want to send it back to the UK, I think I'll just settle for an angry e-mail

[beefcake]

Have you tried wiping it clean? Does it bend if you apply pressure?
If it bends easily I think it will be a write off. If the residue doesn't come off I think you will have a hard time painting. Can you send it back for replacement, refund?

[Sangennaru]

I just received some resin houses. One of them is quite sticky and shiny, it seems wet, I suppose there isn't enough hardener in the resin so it hasn't dried.

Can I still paint it? Should I put something else on it first, like varnish?

Since I live in Sweden I really don't want to send it back to the UK, I think I'll just settle for an angry e-mail

the problem is that the "sweat" is a solvent, so any acrylic you will put on it will get gummy.

the best thing to do is FIRST put them in a dish detergent  +  water mixture for a while, then wait for some days. If it continues sweating, you shall just wait for some months or so, or instead send them back.

Sometimes it happens, and it's quite hard for the producer to notice this problem, since sometimes it starts sweating in the package, during the shipping...

[tomek917]

Thanks for your answers!

Have you tried wiping it clean? Does it bend if you apply pressure?

No, I haven't, it's a bit soft when I apply pressure.

the best thing to do is FIRST put them in a dish detergent  +  water mixture for a while, then wait for some days. If it continues sweating, you shall just wait for some months or so, or instead send them back.

I thought about that, will definitely try it! Hopefully it helps, a little bit at least.

Can you send it back for replacement, refund?

It's almost too much work for a 6 pound small resin house I'll rather try to fix it here somehow, and if it doesn't work, well I'll live with that I guess.

[Dr. The Viking]

the problem is that the "sweat" is a solvent, so any acrylic you will put on it will get gummy.

the best thing to do is FIRST put them in a dish detergent  +  water mixture for a while, then wait for some days. If it continues sweating, you shall just wait for some months or so, or instead send them back.

Sometimes it happens, and it's quite hard for the producer to notice this problem, since sometimes it starts sweating in the package, during the shipping...

I don't know if it would work, but maybe taking a cloth and putting some acetone or alchohol on it and wiping the thing with it could take care of the solvent issue.

Needless to say, you shouldn't dump it in acetone... I'm just thinking that applying it the way you would treat spots on other materials (house wife style) might work. Try the bottom first... (house wife style  )

[former user]

I'd try a bath in washing benzine - this usually dissolves all solvents.
I don't know however whether it'll become brittle or not.

Afterwards it will take some time to ventilate the smell, better outside

[beefcake]

I imagine if it is a bit soft under pressure that the resin mix may have been wrong. I use resin to make my own terrain and minis (I'm by no means an expert) and I once had the mix wrong, ate badly (it was then end of my supply) the pieces were very soft and sticky, eventually they just melted into one glob of dwarfy yuckness. That mix was really wrong though and I wouldn't really know if that's the problem.

[Zafarelli]

Sounds like the resin is not completely cured for one reason or another. Depending on the kind of resin, acetone, alcohol or benzine might solve the problem (acetone is my favourite in these cases). But as the Crazy Viking suggested, better try the bottom first. Might be that these cleaners will damage your model, depending on the resin.

[Gunbird]

I've never had good results with any of these methods, even if it looks clean it can start sweating again. I just send them back if I can pick em out during clean up.

[Dewbakuk]

I've solved the problem before by leaving the model in a warm window for a couple of weeks. The sunlight discolours it slightly but it went hard and stopped sweating.

[Billchuck]

I've solved the problem before by leaving the model in a warm window for a couple of weeks. The sunlight discolours it slightly but it went hard and stopped sweating.

Agreed.  You need a warm, dry environment for them.  The resin doesn't fully cure at once, it slowly finishes as the molecules shuffle around, run into each other, and bond together. Heat helps the process, but moisture will slow it down.  A window ledge in the sun, or a garage or shed in the summertime should help a lot.  A clear, closed plastic box with the bottom painted black and set out in the sun could work.  If nothing else, put it in a box on the top shelf of a closet and forget about it for six months, then check on it again.

But no, just painting over the stuff won't work.  Wiping it off probably won't work, because it will keep seeping out slowly and lift the paint as it does so.  It's not something that can be prevented by the manufacturer, either.  It just happens sometimes.  Heck, I wouldn't be surprised if altitude and air pressure differences plays a part as well.

Either give it a chance to finish curing or send it back for a replacement.

[Brandlin]

I never understand this kind of thread. 

You've been sent a product that is not of saleable quality - it does not fulfill it's basic requirements ie it cannot be painted.

Therefore the manufacturer is duty bound to provide you with a replacement at their expense.

You might even find the manufacturer is grateful for the feedback to fix a problem before he starts getting negative press. After all, if you don't tell him who will.

Naturally if the manufacturer won't replace it, that's where you name and shame on every forum you can find.