How to Make Resin Keychains (Beginner Mod Podge Resin)

Steps

1. 1. Set Up Your Workspace and Lay Out Supplies

   Cover your work surface with plastic wrap, wax paper, or a tile - resin drips are nearly impossible to clean off raw counters. Put on nitrile gloves and a respirator before opening the bottles.

   Tip: Use a cheap dollar-store kitchen timer rather than your phone - you'll have resin on your gloves and won't want to touch your phone screen.

   

2. 2. Measure Equal Parts Resin and Hardener

   Two-part resin needs equal volumes of part 1 (resin) and part 2 (hardener). Measure each separately into smooth-walled plastic milliliter cups.

   Tip: Mod Podge Resin uses a 1:1 ratio. Other resin brands sometimes use 2:1 or 3:1 - always check the label, because mixing wrong ratios is the most common reason resin doesn't cure.

   

3. 3. Combine and Stir Gently for 3 Minutes

   Pour both parts into one fresh smooth-walled cup. Scrape every drop off the original cups - leftover unmixed parts cause sticky spots in the cure.

   Tip: Once the resin is fully clear, you have about 20-30 minutes of working time before it starts to thicken. Don't try to mix more than you can pour in that window.

   

4. 4. Torch the Bubbles and Add Glitter

   Pass a butane torch over the surface of the mixed resin briefly - just a quick zap is enough to pop the air bubbles trapped during stirring. Set the torch on its lowest setting; you don't want to scorch the resin.

   Tip: If you're embedding letter beads or larger pieces, drop them into the mold first and pour the clear resin over them rather than mixing them into the resin cup.

   

5. 5. Pour Into the Silicone Mold

   Pour the glittered resin slowly into the silicone keychain mold. Stay just below the fill line marked on the mold - if you go over, the keychain will have a thick back lip you'll have to sand off later.

   Tip: Silicone molds don't need a release agent. If you're using a non-silicone mold, spray it with a mold release first or the resin will lock to the surface.

   

6. 6. Torch Again and Cure for 24 Hours

   Pass the torch over the filled mold one more time to pop new bubbles that rose during pouring. Sometimes a second pass is needed a few minutes later as more bubbles surface.

   Tip: If the back of the cured keychain has a matte finish from the silicone mold, brush a thin layer of fresh resin over it and torch + cure again.