When it comes to making tumblers, unfortunately, there is a lot that can go wrong, especially if you are new to the craft. Here are some of the more common issues that crafters face when making epoxy tumblers as well as some helpful tips.
1. General Mishandling
Despite creating a tumbler that is perfect to the eye, having the wrong person handle the cup can ruin its beauty! Once a tumbler has been made, the new owner must ensure they handle the cup properly to ensure its longevity.
Here are a few general guidelines for care that usually apply to most tumblers:
- Hand wash only
- Avoid extreme heat
- Do not soak in water
- Do not drop
- Do not microwave
- Do not freeze
It is important to hand wash your epoxy tumblers to ensure that the heat from a dishwasher does not ruin the epoxy or seal.
Avoid leaving your tumbler in extreme heat, this will ruin the epoxy. The heat can also cause the vacuum seal to be compromised. The vacuum seal on a tumbler is what helps them keep drinks hot/cold for long periods.
UV rays can also contribute to the yellowing of your epoxy (we will take about this more below)!
Soaking your tumbler in water or any liquid for that matter can lead to the seal being compromised.
It is important to avoid dropping your tumbler to avoid cracks and shatters.
You should never put your tumbler in the microwave! Not only will this ruin the epoxy, but stainless steel should never go in the microwave as it can damage it and possibly cause a fire.
2. Cracks
Cracks most commonly occur due to a tumbler being dropped. Depending on the size of the crack, water, and other debris may find their way trapped.
If a tumbler has a crack that has been exposed to water, this can lead to further damage as well.
You can use something called a “bumper” on the bottom of your cup if you or the customer would like a little added protection. The bumper is made of rubber and attaches to the bottom of your finished tumbler. They come in a variety of colors as well.
3. Stray glitter/pet hair/Insects
We all know how sneaky glitter can be! I've found glitter in parts of my home that I don't even craft in! Glitter, however, isn't the only imposter you can have….some of us with furry friends may run into stray hairs that fall onto our tumblers while spinning.
Consider placing a storage tote that has a space cut out over your tumblers while they spin. Try to craft in an area that your pets can't get to and/or that is away from the high-traffic areas of your home or space.
Non-glittered cups are usually the hardest to keep glitter free since one speck of glitter can stand out so much against a solid background or non-glitter one.
With cups that do have glitter, I like to examine the cup after each spin to make sure no stray glitter found its way onto my cup. If I do find a speck or two, I'll sand that area really well. If there is no epoxy on the cup and there is stray glitter, I will take a tweezer and pluck it out before adding epoxy.
You may consider adding a disclaimer to your cups that states something along the lines of, ” “Due to the handmade nature of each item, no two tumblers will look the same. Final products will have minor variations.”
4. Fingerprints
You may run into the issue of fingerprints appearing on your tumblers if the epoxy has not fully cured. This mistake usually occurs when you're in a rush to get a tumbler shipped out.
Always make sure your tumblers are fully cured before touching them or preparing them for shipment.
You can try using rubbing alcohol to remove the fingerprints or gently sand and apply another layer of epoxy.
5. Lifting Vinyl
Lifting of the vinyl can occur if you are not sealing it properly. You also want to make sure that your cup to free of dust from any sanding. I also like to clean the area with rubbing alcohol before placing my vinyl. I'll then take a heat gun and run it over the design a few times to make sure it has fully adhered.
6. Uneven Epoxy
Issues with leveling can cause the epoxy on your tumblers to pool, creating uneven layers. Not only can this result in your tumbler LOOKING uneven, but it can also make it quite wobbly.
There may be an issue with the ground you're working on not being level or it could also be that the turner is not level or a combination of both.
To check that your turner is properly leveled, start at the back end of the tumbler and use a leveler. The air bubble should be right between the black lines that are in the middle so adjust your tumbler accordingly.
Something like cardboard can also be used to adjust your surface properly.
7. Yellow Epoxy
Over time, all epoxy will yellow. Some brands do have UV additives that will slow down the yellowing process as sunlight is the culprit to yellowing.
Typically, it will be part B (hardener) of the epoxy that will start to turn yellow. Exposure to air is the reason for this. To mitigate this, try to buy your epoxy in quantities that you can use in a somewhat reasonable time.
Sometimes you may be able to work around the yellow tint that your epoxy may take on. If the layers you are using are small enough, the yellow hue may not even be noticeable.
You can also try mixing in the SMALLEST amount of purple or blue alcohol ink with your epoxy to neutralize the yellow tint.
8. Fisheyes
A fish eye is when the epoxy is repealed from the surface you apply it on. This creates gaps and “pools” on your tumbler, making the epoxy uneven and leaving areas exposed. Here are a few culprits that cause fisheyes.
Too little heat can cause fisheyes. If the area you are working in is not warm enough, the epoxy can have a hard time being able to spread out and cure properly. To make matters even more confusing, too much heat or humidity can also create fish eyes!
Using too little epoxy for your layers can also cause fisheyes as there is not enough epoxy to cover the tumbler.
If your tumbler is not properly sealed or dried you can also have fish eyes that occur. You want to make sure that any glitter, vinyl, spray paint, etc is sealed before moving on to adding your epoxy. You also want to make sure that any sealer you apply has been given enough time to properly dry and gas off.
Debris and fingerprints can also create fish eyes. The oils from our fingers can cause the epoxy to repeal.
Depending on what layer you are working on, you can wipe down your tumbler with an alcohol wipe to remove any oils from your fingers and other debris. You can also use a cover to keep your tumbler enclosed while it is spinning.
9. Spray Paint Inside Cup
Depending on how you go about spray painting your cups, you may find yourself wasting time removing paint from the inside.
Consider using the following tips to avoid spray paint getting inside your cup and to remove any spray paint that finds its way inside.
- Tape off the inside of your cup with masking tape. After you are done spray painting, remove the tape to reveal a clean inside or nearly clean inside.
- Use acetone and a cotton ball to remove the spray paint.
- Use a paper plate!
Conclusion
Making the perfect tumbler is by no means easy! Hopefully, these tips can help you stay on the right track to making beautiful creations.