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Ebook Ugly Truth
Ebook Ugly Truth
www.ultraclearepoxy.com
Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 6
CHAPTER 7
Conclusion 27
Introduction:
The Ugly Truth About Epoxy Resin -
What Companies Don’t Want
You to Know
Epoxy resin, a fascinating material known for its stunning appearance and versatility, has
captivated numerous artists, DIY enthusiasts, and professionals alike. With its unparalleled
ability to protect various surfaces by creating a durable and long-lasting bond, epoxy
resin has emerged as the go-to material for bar tops, river tables, charcuterie boards, and
arts and crafts. It breathes new life into sleek modern designs and rustic, natural styles,
transforming any surface into a unique and stunning piece of art.
Yet behind the alluring facade of epoxy resin lies a sinister side that many remain grimly
unaware of—a side plagued by misinformation about health risks and safety, all circulated
by unscrupulous companies who prioritize profit over user safety.
The Ugly Truth About Epoxy Resin - What Companies Don’t Want You to Know 3
Imported from overseas
to distribute on popular
marketplaces, these brands
may contain toxic chemicals
such as bisphenol A (BPA),
a known carcinogen and
reproductive harm agent.
Despite these perils, some companies engage in false and misleading claims, marketing
their products as safe and eco-friendly while concealing their true nature. This deception
in turn lures unsuspecting consumers into using products that may, in reality, compromise
their health and wellbeing.
In this eye-opening book, we delve into the lesser-known aspects of epoxy resin, offering
valuable insights into the potential dangers associated with certain types of epoxy resin. We
then provide practical guidance on how to select safe and reputable brands, equipping you
with the knowledge needed to make informed decisions regarding epoxy resin.
By following our tips and recommended safety measures, you’ll be able to work confidently
with epoxy resin while minimizing your exposure to harmful chemicals. Stay informed and
take the necessary precautions to protect your health as you embark on your creative
journey with epoxy resin.
Let’s begin.
The Ugly Truth About Epoxy Resin - What Companies Don’t Want You to Know 4
CHAPTER 1
Exposing the Hidden Health
Hazards of Epoxy Resin Sourced
from Online Marketplaces
The Ugly Truth About Epoxy Resin - What Companies Don’t Want You to Know 5
CHAPTER 1
Imagine this:
You’re excited about your next DIY project involving epoxy resin, unaware of the lurking
dangers that accompany this versatile material. Though all epoxy resins carry some minor
risks, the additional perils of purchasing it from online marketplaces are often overlooked.
The dangerous
side of epoxy resin
reveals itself through
toxic fumes emitted
during the curing
process. Inhaling
these fumes can
irritate the eyes,
nose, and throat,
even causing
severe respiratory
problems.
Consider the countless containers
filled with epoxy resin that was Symptoms such as coughing, wheezing,
manufactured overseas and chest tightness, and shortness of breath
shipped directly to warehouses of are far too common. Children and pets,
various online marketplaces. with their smaller body size and developing
respiratory systems, are especially vulnerable
to the adverse effects of these fumes.
The Ugly Truth About Epoxy Resin - What Companies Don’t Want You to Know 6
CHAPTER 1
The Ugly Truth About Epoxy Resin - What Companies Don’t Want You to Know 7
CHAPTER 1
Limited regulatory oversight means the quality and safety of these epoxy resins remain
unconfirmed. Without proper testing, it's impossible to determine their safety. What’s more,
there are even some companies that assert their epoxy resin is manufactured in the USA,
but the truth is that the raw materials are imported from overseas and the company only
blends them together within the US, which means they aren't completely transparent about
their product's origins.
However, amidst the chaos, some epoxy resin brands have taken the initiative to reduce or
eliminate volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released during the curing process. VOCs are
chemicals that can escape as gases from certain materials, including specific epoxy resins,
causing adverse effects on indoor air quality and human health. For instance, our UltraClear
epoxy resin is zero VOC once cured and virtually odorless, making it perfect for odor-
sensitive areas such as wineries, restaurants, kitchens, or confined spaces. This ensures
that our epoxy resin is safe for indoor use and doesn’t release harmful chemicals during the
curing process, protecting both children and pets from exposure to these toxins.
The key to ensuring a safe and satisfying experience with epoxy resin lies in choosing a
reputable brand that emphasizes safety and quality. Trustworthy brands are those which
conduct thorough testing to ensure their products adhere to the highest safety standards.
The Ugly Truth About Epoxy Resin - What Companies Don’t Want You to Know 8
CHAPTER 2
A Closer Look at Epoxy Quality
and Hardness: Key Aspects to
Consider
The Ugly Truth About Epoxy Resin - What Companies Don’t Want You to Know 9
CHAPTER 2
Epoxy has become an indispensable material within diverse industries such as arts and
crafts, home improvement, nautical, and fine art, thanks to its remarkable adhesive
properties and outstanding durability. However, not all epoxy products offer the same
caliber. To achieve impeccable results, it’s crucial to carefully evaluate the purity and
hardness of the epoxy you select for your project.
Countless budget-
friendly epoxy options
have flooded the
market, but these often
come with a hidden
cost: compromised
quality.
The Ugly Truth About Epoxy Resin - What Companies Don’t Want You to Know 10
CHAPTER 2
These bubbles not only mar the appearance of your finished project, making it look
unseemly and fragile, but also introduce difficult challenges during the application process.
On top of that, simply eradicating bubbles from epoxy can be an arduous, time-consuming
endeavor. Achieving an even, bubble-free finish on a large project can be an uphill battle.
That’s why opting for a high-quality epoxy resin that generates fewer bubbles is paramount.
This choice not only streamlines the application process but also helps achieve a
professional, polished project outcome.
Investing in a premium epoxy is a necessary step to ensuring a long-lasting finish for any
epoxy project. Although top-tier epoxies may come with a heftier price tag, their superior
quality and endurance will pay substantial dividends in the long run by exhibiting fewer
surface imperfections and diminishing long-term maintenance costs.
To make an informed decision, you should thoroughly research the epoxy brand and
peruse reviews from previous users. Avoid relying on product descriptions or marketing
claims, which can be misleading. Examine the photos of completed projects which use
the epoxy you’re considering to see how others have fared and glean insight into its quality
and performance. Use these reviews and images to determine whether the brand you’re
researching is as good as it claims to be.
The Ugly Truth About Epoxy Resin - What Companies Don’t Want You to Know 11
CHAPTER 3
Uncovering the Hidden Costs of
Bargain Epoxy Brands
The Ugly Truth About Epoxy Resin - What Companies Don’t Want You to Know 12
CHAPTER 3
A key trait of epoxy resin is its ability to While some premium epoxy brands can
self-level, automatically spreading itself self-level to a thickness of 1/8” or more,
smoothly onto any flat surface, and this is bargain brands rarely manage more than a
another area where low-cost epoxy brands mere 1/16”. To achieve a long-lasting finish
significantly underperform. with a smooth, even surface, you’ll end up
applying two flood coats instead of one.
As a result of their cost-cutting measures,
they end up with a less pure epoxy
resin that is thinner and less viscous.
This in turn results in a poor self-leveling
rating compared to their higher-quality
counterparts.
The Ugly Truth About Epoxy Resin - What Companies Don’t Want You to Know 13
CHAPTER 3
Multiple flood coats means removing air bubbles twice as often, having to
mix more individual resin batches, and having to maintain a good curing
environment for far longer. A single big mistake can completely ruin your
project and leave you with a large mess that’s difficult to clean up.
Epoxy resin costs can fluctuate based on the brand and quality,
averaging between $100 and $150 per gallon. Compromising on quality
by opting for a cheaper brand to save money upfront is a common mistake
new epoxy users make. Many bargain epoxy brands market themselves as
self-leveling but fail to meet reasonable standards. Poor quality control means
some of these brands don’t self-level at all, leaving behind a sticky, bumpy
mess of a finish that’s challenging to remedy.
The Ugly Truth About Epoxy Resin - What Companies Don’t Want You to Know 14
CHAPTER 3
The Ugly Truth About Epoxy Resin - What Companies Don’t Want You to Know 15
CHAPTER 4
Unraveling the Significance
of Temperature Resistance
in Epoxy Resin
The Ugly Truth About Epoxy Resin - What Companies Don’t Want You to Know 16
CHAPTER 4
The Ugly Truth About Epoxy Resin - What Companies Don’t Want You to Know 17
CHAPTER 4
Selecting a high-quality epoxy resin that meets the standard for heat resistance
will help ensure your project’s resilience and longevity. Look for products that
have undergone heat resistance testing.
The Ugly Truth About Epoxy Resin - What Companies Don’t Want You to Know 18
CHAPTER 5
Debunking Misleading UV Claims
in the Epoxy Industry
The Ugly Truth About Epoxy Resin - What Companies Don’t Want You to Know 19
CHAPTER 5
In addition to typical indoor applications, epoxy is also a favored material for outdoor
projects. Regrettably, many epoxy manufacturers now insist that their products are UV
resistant and will remain untarnished by yellowing over time.
The Ugly Truth About Epoxy Resin - What Companies Don’t Want You to Know 20
CHAPTER 5
Additionally, the quality of an epoxy product can also determine how swiftly
it begins to yellow. High-quality epoxy products from trustworthy brands
frequently contain unique additives that delay yellowing. These additives shield
against UV radiation and preserve the epoxy’s appearance.
Ultimately, while some epoxy companies may claim that their products are UV
resistant and won’t yellow over time, the fact remains that all epoxy will yellow
when exposed to the elements. Although some epoxies may take longer to
yellow than others, it is inevitable for all of them.
The Ugly Truth About Epoxy Resin - What Companies Don’t Want You to Know 21
CHAPTER 6
Food Safe Epoxy: Unraveling
the Truth and Decoding FDA
Guidelines
The Ugly Truth About Epoxy Resin - What Companies Don’t Want You to Know 22
CHAPTER 6
Despite claims made by some epoxy companies that their products are FDA approved or
adhere to FDA guidelines, no epoxy resin system currently on the market has FDA approval.
Some epoxy companies may assert that their products are FDA compliant or adhere to
FDA guidelines, but these claims are primarily marketing tactics that may not have been
verified. Such dealers are able to exploit the regulatory vacuum to make misleading claims
and deceive consumers.
It’s also crucial to consider the origin of your epoxy resin. Imported epoxy resins may not
conform to the high safety standards of U.S. regulation. For epoxy resin that is shipped
from abroad to the storage facilities of online marketplaces, regulatory agencies are given
limited oversight, making it difficult to determine product safety. Consequently, imported
epoxy resins may contain harmful chemicals or be of inferior quality, increasing the risk of
respiratory hazards, skin irritation, and burns. This is especially concerning if the epoxy
deteriorates over time, releasing detrimental chemicals that can contaminate food.
The Ugly Truth About Epoxy Resin - What Companies Don’t Want You to Know 23
CHAPTER 7
Epoxy Resin Revelations:
Lessons Learned
The Ugly Truth About Epoxy Resin - What Companies Don’t Want You to Know 24
CHAPTER 7
CHAPTER 1
In Chapter 1, we discussed the potential health risks associated with procuring epoxy
resin from online marketplaces. Lax regulation and oversight has brought about new risks
linked to epoxy resin use, such as contact with hazardous chemicals, respiratory hazards,
skin irritation, and burns. Careful scrutiny of user reviews and photos/videos can help you
ascertain the likelihood of an epoxy product’s safety. A focus on finding a reputable brand
that emphasizes safety and quality is indispensable.
CHAPTER 2
During Chapter 2, you learned how epoxy quality and hardness ratings affect your project's
performance and durability. By opting for an epoxy product with an exemplary quality and
clearcut hardness rating, you can ensure a lasting, superior finish.
The Ugly Truth About Epoxy Resin - What Companies Don’t Want You to Know 25
CHAPTER 7
CHAPTER 3
Throughout Chapter 3, we exposed the hidden costs of compromising your projects with
the products of cheaper, low-end epoxy brands. Cheap resin with thinner consistency
necessitates additional steps in the epoxy process, greatly increasing the time investment
and likelihood of accidents and a weak or ruined finish. Selecting a top-quality epoxy brand
is crucial to prevent unforeseen expenses in the long run.
CHAPTER 4
Chapter 4 put a spotlight on the limitations of epoxy resin’s innate temperature resistance,
particularly its ability to withstand heat. Avoid the repercussions of using inferior products
that soften and “melt” by seeking a heat-resistant epoxy product.
CHAPTER 5
With Chapter 5, our focus was on breaking down the deceptive claims of some epoxy
companies about UV resistance and their products' resistance to yellowing. All epoxy will
eventually yellow upon repeated exposure to the UV radiation contained within natural
sunlight. You can delay this by choosing an epoxy product with UV resistant fillers to help
minimize yellowing.
CHAPTER 6
And finally, in Chapter 6 we stressed the importance of FDA guidelines and the issues
raised by the epoxy resin industry's lack of uniform safety regulation. While no epoxy resin
currently holds FDA approval, you can still avoid these pitfalls by opting for a high-quality
epoxy product from a respected brand and by considering the source of the epoxy product
when shopping.
Each of the deceptive marketing practices we discussed persists in part due to the nature
of internet commerce. By the time a user has realized they’ve been deceived, shady sellers
will have already made their sales and moved on, often leaving the victim without recourse.
Moreover, these companies are able to repeatedly make unfounded claims without
consequence, resulting in a “race to the bottom” effect as dishonest dealers attempt to
outdo each other with spurious claims of increasing magnitude. The lack of awareness by
the consumer in this niche industry has cultivated a breeding ground for such disreputable
sources of information and many misconceptions.
The Ugly Truth About Epoxy Resin - What Companies Don’t Want You to Know 26
Wrapping It Up:
UltraClear Epoxy -
The Safe and Trusted Choice for Your
Epoxy Resin Needs
The Ugly Truth About Epoxy Resin - What Companies Don’t Want You to Know 27
Always stay informed about the
risks associated with shopping for As a special thank you
epoxy resin. to our readers, use the
promo code UCEBOOK at
When you’re ready to choose checkout to receive 10%
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prioritizes safety and quality,
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UCEBOOK
brand, so we can provide you
with peace of mind and the
confidence to approach your
epoxy resin projects without
any reservations.
www.ultraclearepoxy.com