Learn the Craft · Standard Guide

How to Remove Bubbles from Resin (Complete Guide)

SSBy Shilpa Amit Shrivastava· Last updated 12 September 2026· 9 min read

Quick answer

Remove resin bubbles by passing a heat gun or butane torch lightly over the surface within 5-10 minutes of pouring, before the resin skins over. The heat lowers viscosity and lets trapped air rise and pop. Slow, careful mixing and pouring close to the surface prevent most bubbles from forming in the first place.

Based on hands-on resin work by practising Indian artists working across humid coastal and drier inland studios.

Why Bubbles Form in the First Place

Bubbles enter resin mainly through vigorous stirring, pouring from too high above the surface, and air trapped in porous materials underneath the pour (like wood or textured moulds). Humidity makes this worse — moisture in the air can react with resin at the surface and create micro-bubbles that are harder to pop.

Step-by-Step Bubble Removal

Mix slowly — stir for the full recommended time but at a gentle, deliberate pace, scraping the sides and bottom of the cup.
Let it rest 2-3 minutes before pouring — this lets larger mixing bubbles rise and pop on their own.
Pour close to the surface, not from height, to avoid introducing new air.
Pass a torch or heat gun in quick, sweeping motions 3-4 inches above the surface immediately after pouring.
Repeat once more at the 10-15 minute mark as a second pass, since some bubbles surface later.

Don't hold the torch in one spot

Lingering too long in one area can scorch or discolour the resin surface — keep the flame or heat moving constantly.

Humidity Makes This Harder — Here's the Adjustment

In humid cities like Mumbai or Kochi, do your bubble-popping passes slightly more frequently (every 5 minutes instead of every 10-15) during the first 30 minutes, since ambient moisture slows the resin's natural de-gassing. In drier climates like Bengaluru or Delhi's winter months, two passes are usually enough. See our full guide on curing in Indian humidity for more on this.

Torch vs. Heat Gun: Which to Use

Tool	Best for	Cost
Butane micro-torch	Small jewellery pieces, precision spots	₹300-₹600
Heat gun	Larger surfaces, tabletops, coasters	₹500-₹900

Still seeing a tacky, uncured surface?

That's usually a different problem — check our sticky/tacky resin troubleshooting guide.

Fix a tacky finish

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my resin keep getting bubbles no matter what I do?+

Persistent bubbles usually mean you're stirring too vigorously, pouring from too high, or working in a humid room where trapped moisture reacts with resin. Stir slowly and scrape the container sides and bottom, pour close to the surface, and torch immediately after pouring.

Should I use a heat gun or a torch for resin bubbles?+

A torch gives faster, more precise bubble-popping for small areas and jewellery-scale work, while a heat gun covers larger surfaces more evenly with less scorching risk. Many artists keep both and choose based on piece size.

How long do I have to remove bubbles after pouring resin?+

You typically have a 5-15 minute window before the surface starts to skin over, depending on the resin brand and room temperature; working in the first 5 minutes gives the most reliable results.

Can I use a hairdryer instead of a heat gun to remove bubbles?+

A hairdryer doesn't get hot enough to pop most resin bubbles effectively and can blow dust into wet resin instead. A heat gun or torch remains the reliable choice for this step.

Does a pressure pot remove resin bubbles better than a torch?+

Yes, a pressure pot compresses and shrinks bubbles too small to see, giving the clearest possible finish, but it's an added equipment cost most beginners don't need until they're producing jewellery-grade pieces regularly.

Shilpa Amit Shrivastava

Founder of an MSME (Govt. of India) registered resin art business and practising resin artist.