Resin Bloom Mistakes: What I Did Wrong and What You Can Learn
Sometimes the projects that teach us the most are the ones that don’t go according to plan.
Recently, I sat down to create a set of resin bloom coasters. I had my molds ready, my colors picked out, and a general plan for the design. Unfortunately, I also made several mistakes along the way that affected the final result.
The good news? The coasters still turned out interesting, and the experience provided several valuable lessons that can help other resin artists avoid the same problems.
What Went Wrong?
This project wasn’t a complete disaster, but several small mistakes stacked on top of each other.
The first issue started before I even poured the resin.
Too Much Alcohol in the Mold
Many resin artists use a light mist of isopropyl alcohol in silicone molds to help release trapped air bubbles. The key phrase here is light mist.
I sprayed more alcohol than I normally would, which introduced extra liquid into the mold before the resin was poured. While a small amount of alcohol can be helpful, too much may interfere with the resin’s behavior and curing process.
Beginner Tip: One quick spritz is usually enough. If you can see pools of alcohol in the mold, you’ve probably used too much.
I Let the Resin Sit Too Long
Another resin bloom mistake was losing valuable working time.
Resin has a limited pot life, which means the clock starts ticking as soon as Part A and Part B are mixed together. Instead of pouring immediately, I spent too much time preparing and adjusting things before getting the resin into the molds.
By the time I poured, the resin had already begun thickening.
Thicker resin doesn’t move and flow the same way as freshly mixed resin. This can affect bloom development, color movement, and overall design formation.
I Never Checked the Temperature
Temperature plays a huge role in resin art.
Warmer temperatures typically make resin thinner and more active, while cooler temperatures make resin thicker and slower moving.
In this project, I never stopped to check the room temperature or resin temperature before starting. While it may seem like a small detail, temperature can significantly affect how your blooms develop and how long your resin remains workable.
Beginner Tip: Keep a small digital thermometer in your studio and make temperature checks part of your resin routine.
Using Heat to Speed Things Up
One of the more surprising resin bloom mistakes I made during this project involved using a heat gun.
At the time, my thought process seemed reasonable. The resin was already starting to thicken, so I figured a little heat might help improve the movement and encourage the blooms to develop.
Instead, the extra heat accelerated the curing process and reduced my remaining working time even further.
Many beginners are surprised to learn that heat doesn’t simply make resin move more easily. It also speeds up the chemical reaction happening inside the resin, which can cause it to thicken and cure faster than expected.
Understanding how temperature affects resin is one of the keys to avoiding common resin bloom mistakes and achieving more consistent results.
Resin Tip: Extra heat equals less working time.
Trapped Air Bubbles in the Mold
One of the most common resin bloom mistakes is overlooking trapped air bubbles in detailed silicone molds.
Corners, ridges, and decorative mold details can hold tiny pockets of air that don’t always release on their own. If those bubbles remain trapped, they can become visible in the finished piece and affect the overall appearance of your resin blooms.
Before the resin begins to cure, gently run a soft paintbrush, silicone tool, or wooden stir stick around the edges and corners of the mold. This simple step can help release hidden air bubbles before they become permanent.
Resin Tip: Don’t forget the corners—air bubbles love to hide there.
The Finished Coasters
After all of those resin bloom mistakes, I expected the project to look much worse than it actually did.
The blooms weren’t what I originally envisioned, and the movement wasn’t as dramatic as I had hoped. But the finished coasters still have a unique look that makes me smile.
They remind me of something every artist eventually learns:
Not every project has to be perfect to be worthwhile.
Sometimes the value isn’t in the final piece. Sometimes it’s in the lessons you learn along the way.
Lessons Learned from This Resin Bloom Project
If I were making these coasters again, I would:
- Use only a light mist of alcohol in the molds or use no alcohol at all
- Pour the resin sooner after mixing
- Check room and resin temperature before starting
- Avoid using unnecessary heat
- Take extra time to release trapped air bubbles
- Keep notes about what worked and what didn’t
Every resin project is an opportunity to improve your process.
Want to Learn Resin Art Faster?
If you’d like to spend less time troubleshooting and more time creating, consider joining the Paint Pour Academy membership.
Members get access to resin art classes, acrylic pouring tutorials, technique demonstrations, and a growing library of creative resources designed to help artists build confidence and skills.
👉 Learn more here:
https://paintpouracademy.com/membership/
Watch the Resin Bloom Video
Want to see exactly how these resin bloom mistakes happened and how the coasters turned out?
Watch the full video and follow along with the project from start to finish.
Sometimes the best lessons come from the projects where we can honestly say:
“Well… I tried.”
