How To Get A Matte Or Satin Finish On Resin

Last week, I mentioned that my big pixel flower picture in the music room was down for repair. (You can click here to see how I made that pixel picture.) Well, it's finally finished and back in its place, but this time rather than having a super shiny resin coating (which is pretty much the standard sheen for resin), it now has a beautiful matte (or maybe satin) finish on it.

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The Accidental Achievement

It all came about rather unexpectedly, but I couldn’t be happier with the outcome. After moving the resined triptych into the music room, I felt that having two super shiny resined pieces on both walls would be too much. Thankfully, the triptych maintains that shiny (standard) resin coating, while the pixelated flower now boasts a delightful matte finish.

My Resin Application Journey

So how did this matte finish come to be? Looking back, during my initial resin application, I applied three layers. On the final layer, I found myself short on resin. The recommended coverage is four ounces per square foot, and I was lacking about six ounces. I decided to take a risk and learned the hard way that this recommended amount should not be underestimated. Using less resin causes issues with self-leveling, which became evident on the flower picture; it had noticeable low spots that caught light in an unflattering way.

As a perfectionist, I couldn’t accept an imperfect finish. I took the picture down and added another resin layer, taking care to use slightly more resin than what was suggested. I meticulously ensured that every area was covered. I used a flashlight to inspect the surface from every angle, carefully removing any stray pieces of lint with a straight pin. Over and over again, I employed my propane torch to eliminate any remaining bubbles.

After spending an hour fussing over it, I carefully covered the piece with MDF to allow it to cure overnight.

The Disappointment

The next morning, I was bubbling with excitement. I rushed to unveil my newly resined creation, eager to admire its flawless finish. However, my heart sank when I discovered cat fur covering about a quarter of the surface. It looked as if I had comically combed my cat over the freshly poured resin.

Anger coursed through me. How could this have happened? The only reasonable explanation is that I accidentally flipped the MDF covered side towards the resin, revealing the non-cleaned side that my cat had previously laid on.

The Dilemma

At this point, I faced two options: either apply one more costly layer of resin, risking more mishaps, or sand and buff the finish. I chose the latter. I invested in a set of sanding discs ranging from 80-grit to higher grits and used them with my 5-inch orbital sander.

Initially, I started sanding by hand with the 80-grit sandpaper I had on hand. Although daunting, I drew confidence from previous sanding experiences with resin, aware of its durability.

The Sanding Process

After sanding the entire piece with 80-grit and thoroughly cleaning off the dust, I was met with an unexpected view upon drying. Yikes! The surface was not appealing. However, understanding the process, I forged ahead, transitioning to 180-grit and then 240-grit sandpapers. The appearance still left much to be desired, with a blurry illusion affecting the visual clarity of the wood buttons.

Upon reaching the 320-grit, I noticed the persistent scratches. Therefore, I reverted back to 180-grit to ensure I completely removed them all before continuing through to the 320-grit level.

Achieving the Matte Finish

After working up through the grits—400, 800, and beyond—the surface finally displayed a definitive matte finish. Although it was an improvement, the sheen still dulled the look of the wood buttons. Given that my goal was to avoid any optical illusions, I chose to apply buffing compound instead of proceeding with wet sanding.

This particular product, which I had on hand, returned the surface to a bright, shiny resin coating. However, I continued buffing by hand with paper towels until all streaks vanished, which ultimately gave me the desired matte/satin finish.

The result was stunning, as there was no glaring reflection, just a lovely satin appearance. I took great pleasure in its unique texture, reminiscent of a glass/velvet hybrid.

Though the journey involved several challenges, it reinforced my understanding of achieving matte or satin finishes on resin. The lengthy process was worthwhile, delivering a piece free of cat hair and unwanted divots. I could clearly see the difference in the light and texture compared to the original shiny resin coating.

No matter where I stood, there was a complete absence of reflection on the surface—quite the contrast to the shiny resin, which reflects every detail around it.

Conclusion

Ultimately, I’m grateful for the experience. My love for working with resin continues to grow, and while a shiny finish has its place, there are moments where a matte or satin finish is just right. Now I know exactly how to achieve that!

Of course, my feline friend may still prefer the cat hair effect. But that’s a point we can agree to differ on.

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