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How to Build A Resin Dam | Pour Thick Resin Without the Mess

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Jane Monteith, an experienced mixed media artist with over a decade of experience using ArtResin, shares practical techniques for preparing panels specifically designed for thicker resin pours. She introduces the concept of creating a "dam" around the edges of the artwork, which involves raising the sides to contain the liquid resin and prevent it from spilling onto the surrounding surface. This method is particularly useful for artists working on layered projects, such as her current series featuring gold leaf, ensuring that the final piece remains clean and professional without the mess often associated with pouring thick layers of epoxy. The core of this technique relies on using 3M 90 tape or similar double-sided tape to build up the walls of the dam. The process begins by applying the tape to one edge or corner of the panel, carefully pinching the sides together to ensure a tight seal. It is important to run a finger or a burnisher along the tape line to maximize adhesion and prevent it from peeling away during the pour. As the artist wraps the tape around the entire panel, maintaining a consistent distance and depth is crucial; holding the panel up to the light can help verify that the dam is uniform all the way around, covering every edge evenly. To further secure the structure and add necessary strength for a successful pour, Jane recommends applying a second layer of tape around the perimeter after the first one has been fully adhered. This double-layer approach significantly reduces the likelihood of the tape failing or falling into the artwork once the resin is poured. By pulling the tape tightly during application, the bond to the panel edges becomes much stronger, creating a reliable barrier that keeps the resin contained within the intended area. Ultimately, this simple yet effective preparation method allows artists to confidently execute thicker pours while maintaining a clean workspace and protecting their finished art pieces.
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Hey there, I'm Jane Monteith, mixed media artist, and I'm excited to share with you some awesome tips and tricks for using resin. I've been using this brand for over 10 years, and I've learned a few things along the way. So, I'm looking forward to sharing those with you shortly. >> [music] >> I wanted to share with you yet another way that you can prep your panel for resin, especially if you want to do a thicker pour, you're able to do that with ArtResin. And what I like to do is create >> [music] >> a dam, is what I like to call it. But basically, we're raising the sides of the panel so that it allows for you to pour the resin in, and it stay contained on your artwork. So, this piece here is another piece very similar to that. I'm creating a series of these gold leaf layered pieces. And in fact, [music] this piece is from my layer-by-layer course, and we covered uh a few different styles of collage and layering. So, this is just one of them. But, the tip that I wanted to share with you today is again with the 3M 90 tape or the 2090 tape. [music] And you essentially just want to start off on one edge or corner of your panel. And you just kind of want to pinch the sides here as best as you can. And keeping in mind, and I know it's going to be hard to see on this first take as I [music] uh start this side, but I will turn the panel around in a minute. And it's okay if you break off the tape as you're doing this. But, you want to run your finger or even use a burnisher of some sort so you get a really good adhesion to the side of the already tape line. But, on this side right here, you want to have the same distance or at least a place where you can make sure that your measurement or depth is equal all the way across your panel. You can also hold it up to the light as well when you're running the surround your panel. But, you want to continue all the way around the same distance with the tape line so that it covers all edges. So, let me just quickly do that here on each edge. And if you can, pull really tightly on the tape because that's really going to help you as well get a really good bond on the edges of your panel. Again, running your fingers all the way across. And continue this all the way around. And then when you get to the other end, you obviously want to make sure that the tape line is exactly the same level or same width all the way around. Again, pinch the corners and burnish the sides. And then for added strength of your dam or for the pour, then you want to go around a second time with the tape. That gives [music] it that additional uh protection as far as strength is concerned and your tape is less likely to kind of fall into your panel or your artwork. All right, so that's it for a raised pore. I hope you found that helpful and just another tip that I wanted to share with you today. >> [music]