clear epoxy

[kdodd1785]

So I've decided to make some eyeballs for my first ever paper mache prop using two part epoxy, an artist pallet, and eyeball prints. (the idea is borrowed from another Haunt forum member) However after trips to Lowe's and Home Depot the only epoxy I can find dries a yellow translucent color. Even the one labeled "dries clear" looks yellow when cured. Please advise on an epoxy suitable for this application that actually dries clear.
Thanks

[bmaskmaker]

I've played with this in a different context (not eyeballs) ... and never found an epoxy I was happy with. I did find a Jewelers resin that dries clear, however. It's also less toxic than epoxy ... which was an added plus for me.

It's called ice resin and you can read more at www.iceresin.com . I've never found it locally, and ended up ordering mine from artbeads.com for the free shipping.

While I've never cast printed eyeballs using ice resin, I have hand painted eyes on rolled plaster balls and then put a coat of ice resin on them to make them look wet and shiny. They're very effective.

[hedg12]

I don't have a specific recommendation, but generally epoxy designed for use as a waterproof wood finish like marine epoxy should dry clear. I know of a few local woodworkers who use it for bar tops & such, where color clarity is important.

[corey872]

Don't have a specific recommendation for product, but might try googling 'clear casting resin' it seems there are quite a few around.

I would urge caution on trying to cast with anything meant as a surface finish. You can probably get away with it on something as small as an eyeball, but in the surface finish world, a moderately fast dry time is preferred, heat build up and shrinkage are not too big of an issue. This is almost completely reversed in the casting world...heat buildup is a huge issue, long dry time is acceptable and shrinkage needs to be controlled. You may find that when cast, your surface epoxy gets too hot, cracks, bubbles or does otherwise funny things.

[Headless]

There is a scrapbooking product called Dimensional Magic. It only comes in a fairly small bottle but would absolutely work for what you are looking to do. You would have to allow it to dry completely on its own. It would take probably 2 days for the thickness of an eye. It starts off clear, goes cloudy as it starts to dry but then dries completely clear. You just need to be very careful when you "apply" it so as not to end up with bubbles in the liquid.

There is also mod podge but I haven't worked with it before so I'm not sure on it's finish and drying qualities.

[kdodd1785]

Thank you for your responses. I shall rethink the eyeball design. Thanks.