Resin is a compound known for being a hardener. This type of compound can be natural or synthetic. It is used both in construction and art.
Natural resins can be extracted from trees such as juniper, pine, and redwood, to name a few. To remove the resin from these trees, there is a method called tapping, where you need to put a hole inside to reach the part of a trunk, and resins would start spilling. The hole must only be big enough so the resin can also fix it. It is always advised to fix them naturally, not destroy the wood when tapping trees. The wrong way of tapping could cause the death of the tree. A natural way of extracting resin is sustainable. Resin is not to be mistaken for gums that can also be removed from trees and pulled using the tapping method.
Natural Resin
Natural resins cannot only be extracted from trees. Some plants are called resinous plants, whose different parts can be removed from the resin. The natural resin has been used in various ways, such as mummification, making of perfumes, and even for the breweries. Natural resin is widely used in ancient cultures. Incense was previously derived from plant resins. Even varnish is from plan resin combined with drying oil and solvent. The resin had aided humans in their many needs for years. It has assisted in creating different products from accessories to construction. How resin is still used today only shows that its use has remained relevant. The use of resin had even increased as technology got better. The demand for resin had increased now that its application had also increased. Nowadays, there are different kinds of resin in the market, depending on their use.
Synthetic Resin
Synthetic resin has risen its popularity due to its use. Synthetic resin has various applications depending on its type. Some resins are used to laminate hard surfaces, such as kitchen counters, while others are used for clothing insulation. The resin application varies from clothing, construction, electrical wiring, and even mechanical parts. The synthetic resin could be found around us. The resin has been popular in a building because of its luster-like quality, suitable for counters and other surfaces. The application of resin is limitless. It can be used in making jewelry. Making jewelry using resin is much cheaper than using precious metals. Resin is known for its high quality. It is exceptionally durable and abrasion-free for a cheap fix on the counters and floors. Resin is highly recommended. Even maintaining resin is quite affordable, so homes and other areas that use resin for surfaces need not spend a lot of money to keep it.
There is a lot of movement nowadays with individuality, thus the rise of DIYs. People had been making a lot of materials at home rather than buying mass-produced products. Resin is one of the most used materials in DIY effects. The reason is that it is a cheap material, easy to use, and easily available. Resin also gives off a good finish look. Most projects that use resin as a base or finish look expensive. The luster it gives and the quality of the plastic, which is waterproof, give it a plus when being used in projects. Video tutorials on resins are a few of the most-watched videos on YouTube, and some of those tutorials are easy to follow, thus spreading the popularity of resin. Using resin is practical and can be used at home with only a few materials needed.
Challenges in Using Resin at Home
While using resin may be practical, there are challenges in using it. Surface imperfections can be one of the common problems of using resin. When doing DIY at home, it could be unavoidable for something to fall into the resin while it is curing. Thus this could result in the imperfection of the surface. Some accidents when curing the resin are unavoidable. Bubbles are another challenge when curing resin. This could happen when the resin is not mixed well with the hardener. This could easily be solved as bubbles would already appear as soon as the resin mixture is poured over. Resins could also spread itself unevenly, resulting from not following the ratio of the mixture of resin and hardener.
Resin is a harsh chemical. It can result in severe itch and slight redness or burning of hands. The biggest challenge in using resin is when it will spill over your hands. When the resin is mixed with a hardener and other products, the result of it spilling over the hand could be worst. It is always advised that people using resin should wear gloves as resin can be moderately corrosive. Accidents may happen whether the resin is used at home or in a workplace, so it is essential to know what to do when you contact resin. The first aid to resin is to take off all the clothes and immediately wash your body with potable water and soap.
How to get resin off your hands?
Water and Soap
The hand is the most common part of the body that always comes in contact with the resin. How to get resin off your hands when it came in contact with that part of the body and gets stuck? Note that taking off resin from the hand should be done immediately as it can cause a slight burning sensation. Not getting the resin off the hands can also result in resin hardening, thus making it more difficult to remove it from the hand. There are first aid instructions on how to get resin off your hands and the instructions are easy to follow. Resin is not water-based, so you cannot just wash it off with water. Washing off with water and soap can be an excellent way to wash off the resin. If the resin is already hard, you can try using a cloth or scrub to remove the hardened resin on the skin. When getting in contact with the resin, one might panic about how to get resin off hands. Some solutions are easy as long as you know how to do them.
Vinegar
Another solution on how to get resin off hands is by using vinegar. Vinegar is a household item. White vinegar and apple cider vinegar are the most common vinegar found in homes, and it contains acetic acid, which is suitable for removing epoxy off the hands. Too much vinegar is harmful, so it is advised to use cotton or cloth, dip it in the vinegar and gently rub it into the epoxy from your hand. After using the vinegar to remove the epoxy from your hand, wash your hands with soap and water. The purpose of washing your hand with soap and water is to remove the vinegar that got in touch with your hand. Acetic acid is not suitable for the skin as it can put small holes on the skin, and resin might get in through those holes and may cause an allergic reaction. Frequent use of vinegar whenever resin gets in contact with your skin can cause severe itchiness and damage the skin.
Antibacterial Gel
In this age of pandemic, most people carry with them an antibacterial gel. The good news is that this is one of the items you can use to remove resin from your hands. How do you get resin off your hands using the antibacterial gel? Use the gel by rubbing it against the affected area. Keep on repeating the process until the resin is removed. For any residue of resin, use water and soap to wash it off.
Citrus based cleaner
Like vinegar, this contains a small amount of acetic acid, suitable for removing strong adhesive. How to remove resin off hands using citrus-based cleaner? Just pour the citrus-based cleaner on your hands and rub it off with a cloth. Continue doing this until the resin starts to peel off. When the resin is completely peeled off, wash your hands off with water. There are various citrus-based cleaners in the market, and some are available on Amazon.com. If you want Climate Pledge Friendly products, Citra Solv and Biokleen All-Purpose Cleaner can be your perfect choice. Both are rated above four stars, can be diluted in water if you do not want their potent formulation, and cost a reasonable price. These items can be used for cleaning, and in case you get resin on your hands, you can use them.
Conclusion
It is important to remember that when you get in contact with resin in any part of your body, you have to wash it off immediately. Dried resin can be tricky to remove since most of the resin in construction areas and the one used for art contains hardener and may result in skin lesions. Prevention is better than cure. While you may know how to get resin off your hands, it is much better to wear protective gear to ensure resin will not get to your hands. It is essential to always follow safety protocols to avoid getting hurt. Also, most accidents from resin are on poisoning, which means inhaling resins while working on it. This may happen if the area is less ventilated. When feeling dizzy while working on resin, find a well-ventilated area and breath fresh air.
