Resin or other clear solid substance that dries from fluid?

steelrose · Post by **steelrose** » Tue Jul 03, 2007 1:31 pm

OT, but I need to fill the bottom of a clear, narrow flower vase partway with a solid substance for it to properly hold a gold-dipped rose for a certain lady. The rose is heavy and short stemmed, so I need to fill about 2"-2 1/2" of the bottom with something fairly heavy and either attractive or unnoticeable for the stem end to rest on and prevent tipping. I've tested a couple kinds of clear glue, but of course it doesn't want to cure in this quantity. Is clear resin the only option, and if so what's the best type and source? Other possibilities?

Johnnycrash · Post by **Johnnycrash** » Tue Jul 03, 2007 3:48 pm

Coloured sand. In fact, you might be able to find a goldish one. That way it looks like the gold rose is growing out of gold soil.

Scott Hasty · Post by **Scott Hasty** » Tue Jul 03, 2007 4:06 pm

I think this would do perfectly!

http://www.eti-usa.com/consum/envtex/envlite.htm

I get mine at Michaels. IIRC, I just bought a kit that'll make a half a quart of the stuff for just under $12. Bubbles really clear out fast, especially if you use a CO2 source around it....light breathing is perfect for this.

Scottie

quantumplasmathingie · Thu Jul 05, 2007 11:48 am

This sounds like a job for liquid lucite or clear polyester resin

http://www.tapplastics.com/shop/product.php?pid=75&

Tap also stocks a clear liquid casting epoxy.

http://www.tapplastics.com/shop/product.php?pid=386&

Hope this helps!

Kekker · Post by **Kekker** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 12:25 pm

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned clear wax. You may have seen it - candles with stuff embedded in them. It looks as clear as water, melts at a low temp, and should be easy enough (and less stinky/toxic!) to use.

You should check around at craft/hobby/art places and see if you can get it. I know I've seen it online. Try Googling "clear wax" or "clear casting wax" - just make sure you add "candle", to eliminate a bazillion car wax hits.

Addendum - there are two types - candle gel, and a clear mineral oil and resin based wax.

A while back, somebody was looking to do a Voyager embedded in ice diorama, and this stuff came up.

Kev

Post by **TER-OR** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 8:02 pm

Good suggestion on the wax.. I have seen Envirotex light have issues when too thick.

steelrose · Post by **steelrose** » Fri Jul 06, 2007 3:58 pm

Thanks, guys, I'll give a couple of these a shot.