MR. JO Artcast — CC33: Crystal-clear slow-cure casting for gallery-grade pieces
MR. JO Artcast — CC33: Crystal-clear slow-cure casting for gallery-grade pieces
Hook — the artist with the embedded ocean
Priya makes large clear resin river tables and casts seas of shells, coins and dried botanicals. Her problem: small bubbles, trapped dust, and cloudiness that show up after final cure and ruin the “crystal” look. She needs clarity above all — even if that means waiting a bit longer.
The problem
Large, deep pours and work with multiple inclusions often show internal haze and micro-bubbles if the resin cures too quickly or if the mix traps air. Fast systems can also exotherm, yellow, or fail to self-level for big casts.
The solution — why CC33
CC33 is the slow-curing, extra-crystal-clear casting resin in the Artcast family. The slow cure gives trapped air time to escape and allows careful bubble-control methods (degassing, gentle torching) to work effectively. The result: deep, glass-like clarity with minimal internal haze — perfect for gallery pieces, large river tables, and pieces where optical quality is the priority.
Job-ready workflow (practical)
- Mold prep: Use a smooth, rigid mold and apply a release agent. Seal porous inlays (wood/stone) before casting.
- Measure & mix: 3:1 by weight — mix gently and thoroughly to avoid whipping air.
- Degas (recommended): Vacuum-degas mixed batches if you have the setup. For large volumes, pour in stages to limit exotherm.
- Pour & bubble control: Pour slowly; pop surface bubbles with a propane torch or heat gun in quick passes.
- Cure: Allow full slow cure undisturbed in a dust-free environment. Post-cure if recommended for final hardness and clarity.
Dos & Don’ts
Do: work in small, controlled batches for deep pours; degas when possible; mask and tent the curing piece.
Don’t: rush big pours into one massive batch; overheat the mix; skip sealing porous inclusions.
Troubleshooting
- Cloudy core: likely trapped micro-bubbles — use smaller batches and degassing next time.
- Surface tackiness: check mix ratio and ambient temperature; extend cure time per TDS.
Takeaway: Use CC33 when optical perfection matters and you can give the piece the time and care it needs.
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