Outdoor Epoxy: UV Protection, Sealants & Weatherproofing

How to make Resin Projects Weatherproof: Outdoor Resin, Sealants and UV Strategies.

Resin has been an amazing material to use in producing art, furniture, and countertops. Nevertheless, although epoxy and other resins are tough, they are not invulnerable, at least in relation to their outdoor application. All these elements may have their way and leave projects yellow, cloudy or broken when they are not safeguarded against sunlight, moisture and temperature changes.

The good news? You can make your resin projects much more resilient outdoors with the correct choice of resin, UV plans and protective topcoats.

This is a guide that will make you know all about weatherproofing resin to use out of doors.

The Outdoor Resin Challenge:

Outdoor resin projects are threatened by three primary factors:

• UV radiation (sunlight): The epoxy is particularly susceptible to the yellowing and breakdown of the product under UV light.
• Moisture: Rain, humidity and dew can creep to unsealed edges resulting to cloudy areas or delamination.
• Changes in temperature: Coating may be stressed due to temperature changes, which tend to cause cracks or peeling.

Knowing these risks is the initial step to the appropriate selection of the strategy.

Selection of the Right Resin to use in outdoor projects:

Not every resin is made the same way. Here is a quick breakdown:

Epoxy Resin

• Pros: Indoors, clear, self-levelling, durable.
• Cons: Little UV stability; can turn yellow outside unless topcoated.

Polyurethane Resin

• Pros: Flexible, can resist UV, more suited to out-of-door paints.
• Cons: May be more difficult to manage; may be more costly.

Polyaspartic Resin

• Pros: very UV stable, chemical resistant, quick curing.
• Cons: More expensive; most commonly applied to professional floors.

Lesson: When using epoxy outside, cover it with a topcoat that prevents UV-rays. Polyaspartic or polyurethane can be a superior base on long-term or heavy duty outdoor projects.

UV Protection Strategies:

The number one enemy of epoxy in the outdoors is UV exposure. It can be prevented in three ways:

a) UV-Stable Resin

There are brands of epoxy that contain UV inhibitors to prevent yellowing. Although this is beneficial, there is no epoxy that is completely UV-resistant.

b) UV Protective Topcoats.

The surest method is to use an epoxy over-coated with clear polyurethane or polyaspartic. The purpose of these coatings is to be resistant to the outdoor environment and prevent UV.

• Polyurethane that is water-based → This is ideal in art, furniture and decoration.
• Polyurethane as solvent-based → More hardy, commonly used as tabletops and outdoor bars.
• Polyaspartic clear coats → Ideal on heavy-traffic, high-performance, or high-sun exposure projects.

c) UV-Blocking Additives

Epoxy can be mixed with resin-safe UV stabilisers and HALS (hindered amine light stabilisers). They create an additional protection though they still do it best together with a topcoat.

Sealing Against Moisture:

Water does not simply stand on its head, rain and dew can creep into the cracks or pinholes or unfinished edges.

• Seal Edges and undersides: Coat any exposed wood, or porous surface under the resin.
• Cheque pinholes: A pinhole, no matter how small, will allow water to seep in; a seal coat prior to the final flood coat assists.
• Apply marine grade sealants: In applications such as tables or coasters in the outdoors, apply a floor seal made of marine varnish or polyurethane.

Dealing with Temperatures:

Outdoor resin projects swell and shrink with the weather. Flexibility is required because otherwise the coatings may crack or peel away.

• Select elastic topcoats (polyurethane > epoxy).
• Pour in thin layers rather than a single heavy layer, reduced strain on the surface.
• Give complete rest period in first place and then outdoors. (even when dry to a touch in 24 hrs) epoxy requires 7+ days to cure completely)

Project Cases and Project Best Practises:

Outdoor Tables / Furniture

• Apply epoxy on designing layer → Top-coat using polyurethane.
• Place rubber feet or spacers in order to minimise contact with water.

Resin Garden Art & Sculptures

• Apply UV-resistant colours (UV metallics and mica are more lightfast than dyes).
• Coat completely with polyurethane spray or varnish.

Outdoor Countertops & Bars

• Polyaspartic should be taken as the top-most coating to maximise stability.
• Shading should be kept up (awnings, parasols).

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

• Application of epoxy with no top coat in the open air.
• Leaving an unsealed backside of a table or work of art.
• Taking resin projects out of the mould before they are completely cured.
• It is even thinking that UV-resistant is UV-proof. (It is not.)

Maintenance & Long-Term Care:

The safest outdoor resin projects require at least some maintenance:

• Wash tenderly using soft soap and water; do not use abrasives.
• Peeling, scratches or thin spots in the topcoat should be inspected annually.
• Topcoat should be reapplied after every few years.

Forget about resin, imagine the paintwork of a car, it can last longer with maintenance and re-coating.

FAQ: Resin Outdoors:

Conclusion:

Epoxy is beautiful inside and requires assistance outside. Thanks to UV-resistant top coats, additives, and moisture sealing, it is possible to make sure that your resin based projects can be left outside in the sun, rain, and changing seasons lasting multiple years.

Protect it like you would outdoor wood or stone — seal, shield, and maintain. Do it right, and your resin will stay as brilliant outdoors as it does indoors.