When working with epoxy, you don’t want it to get stuck to your work surface. There are several everyday items that won’t stick to epoxy, so you can get back to creating beautiful artwork and projects. But what about wax paper–do these two surfaces stick together?
Epoxy or resin does not stick to wax paper, which makes wax paper an accessible, affordable choice for lining your epoxy art projects. However, it is not a perfect option and may make your epoxy cloudy when it sets. On the other hand, parchment paper will stick to epoxy.
You can use many kinds of surfaces to work with epoxy, and wax paper is just the beginning. Let’s get started.
Epoxy and Wax Paper
Wax paper is coated on both sides by a thin layer of wax, which repels water. This coating gives wax paper its name and makes it an excellent non-stick surface for crafting, including epoxy art.
Unfortunately, that thin layer of wax can contaminate your epoxy, giving it a cloudy appearance. Wax paper also runs the risk of shifting slightly during the curing process, which can leave your epoxy art misshapen.
Epoxy and Parchment Paper
Although many people talk about them interchangeably, wax paper and parchment paper are not the same things. Parchment paper has a thin coating of silicone instead of wax. Where wax paper will melt if it gets heated up, parchment paper is heat-resistant, and it is more expensive than wax paper.
When it comes to epoxy, the differences between wax and parchment paper are minimal. The critical difference is parchment paper’s heat resistance, which isn’t particularly useful in epoxy art.
Like wax paper, parchment paper might not stay in place while your epoxy is curing. You might consider a silicone mold for a more stable surface, but these are more expensive and come in limited shapes.
Other Options for Epoxy Art
Depending on your epoxy project, you may want to explore other options for a non-stick surface.
Sheathing Tape
Sheathing tape can be used to make different shapes for epoxy art, and your epoxy should still be shiny when it cures. Sheathing tape molds can be reused for future projects, but your epoxy might end up with seams that you will have to buff out later.
Silicone Molds
Silicone molds are firm, reliable, and seamless and come in many shapes that are reusable from project to project. However, you are limited by the predetermined shape and size of your mold.
These are useful for small projects, like jewelry, not large pieces of furniture.
If you decide you want a more stable non-stick surface for your epoxy, Repinsta has a 5-Piece Resin Mold set. I recommend this set as it is easy to clean, and it is compatible with many types of media, such as soap, wax, or epoxy resin.
Polyethylene Plastics
Polyethylene plastics are the most expensive type of epoxy mold, but they’re also the most reliable and versatile. It takes a lot of knowledge and skill to work with polyethylene plastics, but it’s a good choice if you’re already an epoxy pro and want to work on larger projects.
Final Thoughts
Wax paper is handy when working with epoxy because it is cost-effective and easily moved or shaped. If you want something more stable for your epoxy project, you can opt for a silicone or plastic mold and use wax paper to line your workspace and floor. If you drip any epoxy, it will peel away easily when cured, or you can throw the whole mess away.
