How to Make Metallic Resin

Use metallic powders to create a metallic resin capable of simulating cast metal.

Metallic resin allows you to create from molds detailed resin castings with the appearance of metal. You can make the metallic resin by adding atomized metal powders to a two-part component resin mix. You can then pour the resin mix into any rubber mold, creating a cast object that carries the mold details, all at the fast room-temperature curing rates that makes resin easy to work with. The resulting casting will simulate actual metal.

Things You'll Need

• Polyester resin
• Resin hardener
• Atomized metallic powder
• 2 cups
• Wooden stir stick
• Liquid black pigment
• Rubber mold
• Mold release agent
• Mild liquid soap
• #0000 steel wool

Instructions

1. Pour the right amount of resin for your casting into a plastic cup. Fill the second cup with the resin hardener, using the ratio of hardener to resin recommended by the resin manufacturer.

2. Add the metallic powder to the cup containing the resin, by weight. Use a ratio of two parts powder to one part resin for bronze, copper, brass, zinc, or nickel-silver powders; a one-to-one ratio for aluminum powder; and one and a half parts powder to one part resin for steel powders. Stir the powder into the resin using the wooden stir stick.

3. Add the liquid pigment to the resin, using a ratio of one part pigment to 10 parts resin by weight, to darken the metal if desired. Stir the pigment in thoroughly with the stirring stick.

4. Spray the surface of the rubber mold with a mold release agent to prepare it for use. The release agent prevents the resin from sticking to the mold as it cures.

5. Pour the hardener into the cup containing the resin, and stir thoroughly until fully mixed. The mixture will be thick but pourable with the consistency of a thickened honey.

6. Pour the mix into the mold and wait the length of time the manufacturer suggests for the resin to cure. Remove it from the mold, then wash the casting with liquid soap and warm water to remove the release agent. Lightly sand the surface with #0000 steel wool to remove the light coating of plastic and reveal the metal-like casting.

Tips & Warnings

• Copper powder speeds the curing of polyester resin. Substitute epoxy resin for the mix when using copper.

References

• The Compleat Sculptor: Metal Cold Casting

Resources

• Turbo Carver: Cold Casting with Atomized Metal Powders