I put ArtResin and Alumilite Amazing Clear Cast head‑to‑head — which gives me glasslike shine, fewer bubbles, and faster cures for river tables, jewelry, and embedded keepsakes?
Nothing beats a perfect glossy pour on a weekend project. I tested both resins side-by-side on common DIY projects to see which is easier to use, gives a better finish, fits different budgets and skill levels, and share creative tips.
I like how reliably glossy and crystal-clear the finish turns out — it makes my art pieces look gallery-ready. The low odor and food-safe claims give me confidence for indoor use, though I do plan longer cure times for thicker pours. Tip: I use thin leveling coats first, then a thicker final pour to control bubbles and get a flawless surface.
I appreciate how straightforward the 1:1 mix and low viscosity make small castings and mold work — I can pour into detailed molds with fewer bubbles. It cures faster than many artist epoxies, which is great when I need quicker project turnaround, though I watch packaging quantities carefully when mixing. Tip: use a slow, steady stir and warm bottles slightly (in warm water) for smoother pours into small molds.
ArtResin Clear Coat
Clarity & Gloss
9.5
Ease of Use
8
Cure Time & Durability
8.7
Food Safety & Indoor Odor
9
Alumilite Clear Cast
Clarity & Gloss
8.8
Ease of Use
9
Cure Time & Durability
8.5
Food Safety & Indoor Odor
8.5
ArtResin Clear Coat
Pros
Exceptional crystal-clear, high-gloss finish with good UV protection
Low odor, non-toxic formulation that is marketed as food-safe
Includes clear instructions and measured kit (16 oz resin + 16 oz hardener)
Covers large surfaces (up to ~8 sq ft at thin coats), ideal for artwork and tabletops
Alumilite Clear Cast
Pros
Very low viscosity and 1:1 mix ratio make it easy for precise measuring and pouring
Good optical clarity and high-gloss finish suitable for small casts and coatings
Often comes as a value pack with measuring cups and stir sticks — good for hobbyists
ArtResin Clear Coat
Cons
Longer full cure time compared with some casting resins
Higher viscosity can make deep casting or very detailed small molds harder
Alumilite Clear Cast
Cons
Some users report occasional packaging inconsistencies between Part A and B volumes
Less ideal for very large surface coatings without multiple pours
Quick Comparison: Strengths, Weaknesses, and Best Uses
I start with a clear snapshot of each product so you can quickly decide which suits your needs. Below I summarize real benefits — clarity, gloss, working time, and versatility — and point out where each resin shines (coasters, jewelry, river tables, or art coatings). I call out practical trade-offs: ease for beginners versus flexibility for advanced pours, and which product I’d pick for small crafts versus larger pieces.
ArtResin — Best for artwork, tabletops, and UV protection
ArtResin gives a thick, crystal-clear, high-gloss finish with built-in UV protection and a food-safe claim, so it’s my pick when I need a durable art coating or a gloss finish on a table or large canvas. It comes as a measured kit with clear instructions, and the low-odor formula makes indoor work nicer.
Strengths: Exceptional clarity and gloss; UV resistance; low odor and food-safe; good coverage for larger surfaces.
Weaknesses: Higher viscosity and a longer full cure time—less ideal for tiny, detailed molds or very deep pours.
Best uses: Tabletops, art coatings, river table finishes, large mixed-media pieces.
Alumilite Amazing Clear Cast — Best for small casts and fast hobby projects
Alumilite is low-viscosity, mixes 1:1, and cures faster (about 24 hours full cure), so it’s great for jewelry, molds, small casts, and hobbyists who want quick turnarounds. The thin flow helps get into fine details.
Strengths: Easy 1:1 mix, low viscosity, quick cure, comes with measuring cups/sticks.
Weaknesses: Packaging consistency can vary; not ideal for large single-coat tabletops without multiple pours.
Best uses: Jewelry, small molds, figurines, quick craft projects.
Feature Comparison Chart
ArtResin Clear Coat vs. Alumilite Clear Cast
VS
Brand
ArtResin
VS
Alumilite (Amazing Casting Products)
Kit Size
32 oz (16 oz resin + 16 oz hardener)
VS
2-pack — total 16 oz (2 x 8 oz A/B bottles per pack)
Mix Ratio
1:1 by volume
VS
1:1 by volume
Viscosity
Medium-high (better for coatings)
VS
Low viscosity (excellent for detailed molds and small casts)
Full Cure Time
72 Hours (full cure may vary by thickness)
VS
24 Hours (typical full cure for small to medium pours)
Coverage Area
Up to ~8 sq ft (thin coats; approx. 30″ x 40″)
VS
Best for small molds, casting and protective coatings for small surfaces
UV / Yellowing Resistance
Formulated with UV inhibitors for reduced yellowing
VS
Good clarity initially; moderate long-term UV resistance (may yellow slower or faster depending on exposure)
Food Safe
Marketed as food-safe when fully cured
VS
FDA compliance indicated for certain uses when fully cured
VOC / Odor
Low odor, non-VOC formulation
VS
Low odor; user reports generally low VOC smell
Ideal Projects
Artwork coatings, tabletops, large surface pours & protective finishes
VS
Small molds, figurines, jewelry casting, coating coasters and small furniture accents
Made In
Made in USA
VS
Made in USA
Package Contents
16 oz resin + 16 oz hardener, instructions
VS
Two 8 oz part A + two 8 oz part B across pack, measuring cups, stir sticks, instructions
Recommended Working Temp
Room temperature (about 70°F / 21°C)
VS
Room temperature (about 70°F / 21°C)
Shelf Life (unopened)
Approximately 1-2 years
VS
Approximately 1-2 years
Price
$$
VS
$$
Best For
Clear high-gloss coatings for art and furniture
VS
Detailed small castings and quick-turn hobby projects
2
Unboxing & Ease of Use: Mixing, Measuring, and Working Time
First impressions: packaging and labeling
When I opened both kits I looked for clear labels and included tools. ArtResin arrives as a matched 16 oz resin + 16 oz hardener kit with clear instructions and sturdy bottles — very beginner-friendly.
Alumilite comes as two 8 oz bottles per box and usually includes small measuring cups and stir sticks. The paperwork is straightforward, though I’ve seen occasional small volume differences between A and B in some batches.
Measuring & mix ratio
ArtResin: pre-sized 1:1 by volume (16/16), so I just used the bottles and mixed in the supplied cup.
Alumilite: 1:1 by volume, but it often ships with little measuring cups — handy for small pours and molds.
Mixing behavior and bubble control
ArtResin is noticeably thicker. When I mixed it I saw more microbubbles and had to stir a full 2–3 minutes, scraping the sides and bottom. Bubbles were stubborn but popped with a quick pass of a heat gun.
Alumilite is low-viscosity; bubbles formed less stubbornly and rose to the surface quicker. A gentle stir (still 2 minutes) kept whipping to a minimum and a small torch or warm air easily cleared most bubbles.
Working time and pouring
In my studio (about 70–75°F) ArtResin gave me a longer working window — roughly 40–50 minutes before it started to thicken noticeably, so it’s forgiving for larger pours. Alumilite felt faster to thin and set; I had about 20–30 minutes of easy working time and liked it for small molds and quick layers.
Practical tips I used
Use a digital scale or marked cups for accuracy.
Stir slowly, scrape the cup, and use a silicone spatula.
Warm bottles in a water bath (not hot) to reduce viscosity and bubbles.
Torch or heat-gun in short passes to pop surface bubbles.
Work on a level surface and build a simple rim for pours to avoid run-off.
These simple steps made both resins behave predictably and saved me re-dos.
3
Finish & Performance: Clarity, Gloss, Cure, and Durability
Clarity & Gloss
In my pours both resins started crystal-clear. ArtResin produced a deeper, glass-like gloss right out of the mold — the finish looked “wet” without extra polishing. Alumilite was optically clear too, but tiny surface texture on small jewelry pieces sometimes needed a light polish to reach the same mirror shine.
Cure & Self-leveling Behavior
At my studio (~70–75°F) I saw:
ArtResin: thicker and self-levels well on flat panels but takes longer to settle; tack-free in ~12–24 hours and felt fully cured for light handling at ~48–72 hours.
Alumilite: low-viscosity so it levels instantly in molds and thin coatings; tack-free in ~6–12 hours and within 24–48 hours it handled light use (manufacturer lists 24 hours).
Scratch Resistance & Heat Tolerance
ArtResin felt tougher — more resistant to light scratches and more forgiving for tabletops and coasters. It also tolerated hot mugs better before showing any softening (typical household heat; still avoid direct hot-pan contact). Alumilite is fine for jewelry and display pieces but is slightly softer and can show micro-scratches sooner if used as a tabletop surface.
Pigments, Inclusions & Jewelry
Alumilite: low viscosity makes mixing pigments and filling tiny mold details easy; great for small casts and translucent dyes.
ArtResin: thicker base helps suspend heavier inclusions (shells, glitter clumps) without sinking; excellent for embedded art.
Practical tip: for tiny jewelry pieces I demolded Alumilite faster but gave them a quick buff. ArtResin pieces needed a longer cure before de-molding but often skipped polishing to achieve that deep gloss.
Small jewelry, charms, tiny molds: Alumilite — great detail, less waste when working small.
Cost and stretching supplies
ArtResin (32 oz, ~$49) gives larger single-kit coverage (up to ~8 sq ft at thin coats) and longer working time — better value for big surfaces.
Alumilite 2-pack (total 16 oz, ~$42) is economical for lots of small pours; buy two boxes to have handy small batches.
Ways I stretch resin without losing quality:
Pour in thin layers instead of one deep pour.
Warm bottles gently (hand-warm or 95°F water) to reduce viscosity and bubbles.
Use molds sized to your remaining resin so you don’t waste partial mixes.
Safety basics I follow
Always ventilate the room (fan + open window).
Nitrile gloves, eye protection, and a respirator if I’m doing many pours or pigmented mixes.
Clean spills immediately with paper towel and isopropyl alcohol; dispose of contaminated rags safely.
Practical tips for consistent results
Mix slowly and scrape sides/bottom for a full 2–3 minutes; avoid whipping air in.
To avoid bloom/amine blush: work in a warm (65–75°F), low-humidity space and don’t overthin or introduce moisture.
Pigments/flakes: premix pigments into a small portion, then fold into the main batch to control color.
Torch vs. heat gun: I use a propane torch briefly to pop stubborn bubbles (quick passes, keep moving). For delicate pieces or glitter, a heat gun on low is safer and less likely to disturb inclusions.
Final Verdict: Which Resin I’d Use and When
I pick ArtResin as my winner for artwork, because it is low odor, easy to mix, and gives a glossy UV stable finish ideal for tabletops, paintings, and jewelry. Alumilite wins for deep casting, fast cures, and mold work when hardness and cost matter.
