Short answer: "resin" is the general category; epoxy is one type of resin. In crafting, "resin" usually means two-part epoxy, but UV resin, polyester resin and polyurethane resin are different products with different uses.
| Type | How it cures | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Epoxy (coating / tabletop) | Mix A+B, cures in ~24 h | Tabletops, bar tops, art, tumblers | Thin layers only (often ⅛–¼") |
| Epoxy (deep pour / casting) | Mix A+B, slow cure (days) | River tables, thick castings | Long waits, bubbles if cold |
| UV resin | One part, cures under UV light | Jewelry, small fixes, layering | Thin layers only; costly per ounce |
| Polyester resin | Resin + small amount of catalyst | Fiberglass, boats, some castings | Strong fumes, shrinks |
| Polyurethane casting resin | Mix A+B, fast | Opaque figures, quick parts | Moisture sensitive |
Epoxy is a resin, so the question is really which resin. For crafts and wood, epoxy is generally tougher and shrinks less than polyester.
No. Most UV resins are one-part acrylate-type resins cured by light, not by mixing in a hardener.
Do not mix them together. You can generally add one on top of the other once fully cured, but test first.
Epoxy is usually much cheaper per ounce for larger pieces; UV resin saves time on small ones.
More tools: resin calculator · mix ratio by weight · cure time · mold volume · tabletop coating · pouring too thick
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