If the bottles remain unopened, ArtResin has a shelf life of 12 months from the date of manufacture. Once the bottles have been opened, however, the shelf life is 6 months from the date of manufacture. You can find the manufacture date on the label to make it easy to track how fresh your ArtResin is! If you find yourself with some expired product on your hands, please don't toss it out - you can use it for a variety of things and it will still cure as expected.Here's Scott from our production team at our facility in Dallas, Texas to explain:
What Does ArtResin's Shelf Life Refer To?
ArtResin'sshelf life refers to how long you can expect the product to stay as water-clear as the day it was made. ArtResin's shelf life is shortened once opened because of oxidation: when you open the bottle, the hardener comes into contact with oxygen and creates a yellowing effect, much like an apple that browns once it has been cut and exposed to air. Thankfully, this yellowing doesn't become apparent until approximately the 6 month mark.
💡TIP: To minimize oxygen exposure and delay oxidization, always ensure you re-cap the bottle as soon as you finish pouring your hardener.
What's The Difference Between Oxidation and Yellowing From UV?
It's important to note that yellowing that results from oxidation is entirely different than the yellowing caused by UV exposure:
- Oxidation is caused by oxygen exposure and causes the hardener to discolor. Once ArtResin cures, it becomes inert and the hardener will no longerreact with oxygen or yellow further.
- UV light damage causes yellowing in cured epoxy resin. ArtResin is chemically engineered with two different types of UV inhibitors to offer the best yellowing protection on the market. You can read more about it in our blogWhich Epoxy Resin Is Best For Artwork?
Can I Use Expired ArtResin?
YES, you can. If you find yourself with some expired product on your hands, please don't toss it in the trash! Though the hardener may have discolored, the performance of the product will not be affected and it will still cure as expected as long as it is accurately measured and thoroughly mixed.
Check out our blog on How To Make Epoxy Resin Cure Faster.
💡TIP: Remember that theyellowing you see in the hardener bottle looks worse than it is because you’re seeing it in bulk.By the time you dilute yellowed hardener with clear resin and spread it out on your work, it won't look nearly as yellow.
How To Use Expired ArtResin:
Though you may not want to use yellowed hardener on a white piece of artwork, we've got 4 fun and easy ways to use up yellow hardener including:
- Coating colorful paintings
- Making alcohol ink coasters
- Tinting it to make flow art
- Applying it over wood
Once you're done, you won't see a trace of yellow in the cured resin, we promise!
For full instructions, check out our blog What Can You Do With Yellowed Hardener?
What If My Hardener Bottle Doesn't Have An Expiry Date?
We started dating the bottles in April of 2019 so if your bottle isn't showing an expiry date on it and it has yellowed, chances are it was made before that date. Not to worry, though - you can still use it for so many projects- you can tint it, you can use it over wood and so much more!
Here's Rebecca introducing our manufacturing dates:
If you have any questions or comments, please leave them below - we'd love to hear from you!
Wondering what the red inserts are in your resin bottles - and what to do with them after you've opened them? Find out in our blog Why Do ArtResin Bottles Come With Red Caps?
Learn more about the types of epoxy resin and their uses and read our guides below:
- Does epoxy resin expire?
- What's the cure time of epoxy resin?
- Does epoxy resin shrink?
- What happens if epoxy resin freezes?
- Does epoxy resin crack?
- Is epoxy resin self-leveling?
- What's the working time of artresin?
- What's the smell of epoxy resin?
- Is epoxy resin waterproof?
- How does moisture affect epoxy resin
- How does hot weather affect epoxy resin
- How does cold weather affects epoxy resin
ArtResin: Made For Artists, By Artists.
About the author: Dave Zak
Hi, I'm Dave, a Canadian-based entrepreneur. I was born an artist and I love to tinker and create things. After studying art and working in marketing, I founded ArtResin in 2008 in response to the toxic and yellowing resin products that were giving me headaches and ruining my artwork.
I'm an epoxy resin enthusiast with a deep understanding of the intricacies surrounding this versatile material. Over the years, I've immersed myself in the world of epoxy resins, exploring their properties, applications, and the factors that influence their longevity and performance.
The article you've shared from ArtResin delves into the shelf life of their epoxy resin product and addresses crucial aspects related to its use. Let's break down the key concepts presented in the article:
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Shelf Life of ArtResin:
- Unopened Bottles: ArtResin has a shelf life of 12 months from the date of manufacture if the bottles remain unopened.
- Opened Bottles: Once opened, the shelf life is reduced to 6 months from the date of manufacture.
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Shelf Life Explanation:
- Shelf life refers to how long you can expect the epoxy resin to maintain its water-clear appearance, akin to the day it was manufactured.
- The reduction in shelf life after opening is attributed to oxidation. Oxygen exposure, upon opening the bottle, triggers a yellowing effect in the hardener, similar to how cut apples brown when exposed to air.
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Oxidation vs. UV Yellowing:
- Oxidation Yellowing: This is caused by oxygen exposure, leading to discoloration in the hardener. Once ArtResin cures, it becomes inert, and further yellowing ceases.
- UV Light Damage: UV exposure causes yellowing in cured epoxy resin. ArtResin is engineered with UV inhibitors to provide excellent yellowing protection.
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Using Expired ArtResin:
- Expired but Usable: Expired ArtResin can still be used as long as it's accurately measured and thoroughly mixed. The hardener may have discolored, but it won't affect the performance or curing process.
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Managing Yellowing:
- Dilution Minimizes Yellowing: The yellowing in the hardener bottle appears worse in bulk. When diluted with clear resin and applied to your work, the yellowing is less noticeable.
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Creative Uses for Expired Resin:
- Coating colorful paintings, making alcohol ink coasters, tinting for flow art, and applying over wood are suggested creative uses for expired, yellowed hardener.
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Dating Bottles and No Expiry Date:
- Bottles Dating: Bottles have manufacturing dates since April 2019. If a bottle lacks an expiry date and has yellowed, it was likely produced before that date.
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Author and ArtResin Background:
- The author, Dave Zak, introduces himself as a Canadian-based entrepreneur who founded ArtResin in 2008. The motivation behind founding the company was the dissatisfaction with toxic and yellowing resin products in the market.
In conclusion, the article not only provides insights into the shelf life of ArtResin but also offers practical tips on using expired resin creatively. Dave Zak's background adds a personal touch, emphasizing the commitment to quality and innovation in the epoxy resin space.
