Does Water Washable Resin Need To Be Cured?

If you enjoy printing with resin, you may consider using a water washable resin at some point. It’s best to know how to process the material properly so you can make the most of it. The trouble is deciding whether or not to cure water washable resin after it comes off the printer.

Water washable resin needs to be cured after it comes off the printer. The curing process takes between two and ten minutes, depending on the size of the print. Not curing the print can lead to warping, breaking, and other complications. You also want to ensure the print is dried thoroughly before curing.

Knowing how to cure your water washable prints correctly will help you get the best results from the process. Many people enjoy working with this material once they learn to handle and cure it appropriately. And you will too, once you get the hang of it! 

Why You Should Cure Water Washable Resin

Water washable resin is another type of printing material, and curing is essential to make it smooth and non-toxic. Additionally, curing makes the final print more durable and professional-looking.

Water washable resin is toxic until cured, so you want to ensure you’re wearing gloves while handling the uncured print. After curing, the piece will harden, and you won’t need to worry about it being toxic anymore.

Removing toxicity and setting the print properly are the main reasons why you shouldn’t skip the curing process. Water washable resin is similar to traditional resin, the difference being that you can clean it with water instead of alcohol. Curing the print will make the piece last longer and remove the danger of touching it with your bare hands.

How To Cure Water Washable Resin

The main advantage of water washable resin is that you can cure it in water, allowing you to expose it to more UV light. The water helps reflect the light throughout the print, allowing the UV rays to seep into all the cracks and crevices in a piece.

You can cure water washable resin with the following steps:

1. Put on gloves. 
2. Rinse and clean the resin print in water.
3. Remove the print’s supports.
4. Fill a clear container with water.
5. Place the print inside and ensure it’s fully submerged.
6. Use a UV source to direct light at the print (you can also place it outside in the Sun).
7. Cure the print for the recommended time.
8. Take the print out and let it dry completely before handling it.

Follow these steps properly, and you’ll have a cured piece that’s safe to touch and ready for use. 

How Long To Cure Water Washable Resin

Water washable resin doesn’t take too long to cure; most small prints need roughly three to five minutes. However, larger prints may take longer than usual to cure, but you can tell when the curing is done. 

You’ll know that the resin has cured properly when it has a matt surface. So the print won’t look as glossy as it did before the curing began. With water washable resin, make sure to let it dry until all the water evaporates from it.

How To Dispose of Resin Curing Water

It’s essential that you know how to properly dispose of the water you used to cure the print. Any water that touched the print before it was cured can’t be poured directly down the sink. The material is harmful to the environment and can be dangerous if it gets stuck in the drainpipe.

You need to ensure that any leftover resin in the water is completely cured before pouring it out. Leave the remaining water in the sun or under UV light for a while after removing your print. Once a few hours have passed, you can be sure the water is safe and dispose of it as household waste.

However, if you have access to chemical waste disposal, use this to get rid of the resin water. You can pour the wastewater into large plastic bottles and collect them over time. When you have a few full bottles, take them to your local area’s hazardous waste facility.

This YouTube video covers everything you need to know to dispose of printing liquids properly:

What Happens To Uncured Resin Prints?

Uncured water washable resin prints become pretty sticky and difficult to handle. Any leftover uncured resin on the print can also cause it to crack or fall apart. This is why it’s best to ensure that when you create a resin print, it’s cured properly. 

Not curing your water washable resin prints will lead to a failed print, even if it’s not immediately apparent. An uncured print will seem extra sticky, won’t wash well, and won’t have the finished look that you find on cured prints.

However, you’ll also need to be careful not to over-cure the print. Overcuring can lead to brittle resin prints, making them a lot easier to break. The best way to ensure you’re on track is to follow the timing recommendations on the resin packaging. Keep in mind that the curing time can vary significantly between companies and products.

Overall, ensure that you take the time to cure your resin prints properly. The entire process shouldn’t take too long, so there’s no reason for you to skip this step.

Final Thoughts

To summarize, always cure your resin!

Depending on the print, you can cure water washable resin for anywhere between two and ten minutes. Water washable resin is toxic until cured, making it unsafe for you to handle. So ensure it’s cured properly before you touch it.

The best part is you can cure your prints in the Sun in case you don’t have access to UV lights. You can tell the resin is cured when the print is hard and appears solid. If you’ve already worked with resin, you should have an idea of how to cure water washable resin.