Why did my epoxy color come out translucent or different than expected?

The most common reason is the type and amount of pigment used. Pigmently Liquid Dyes are translucent, stained-glass style tints. They only become solid if you add a significant amount, so a small amount of white dye in a batch will leave the epoxy looking clear. As a guide, one bottle per mixed gallon gives a solid translucent color. The dyes come in two sizes, including a larger 30ml bottle.

For an opaque, solid color, use a Pigmently mica powder pigment instead. For white, Porcelain White or Snow Queen are the ones to use. There is no fixed powder-to-resin ratio: scoop the powder into the hardener first and keep adding until you reach the color you want, then mix with the resin. Start with roughly 1 gram per 8 ounces of epoxy and add more gradually. For a flood coat, plan on about one 51g container for every 3 gallons or so.

Whether a color reads translucent or opaque depends on how much pigment you add, and the right amount varies from project to project. Every project is unique, so we cannot advise on color matching, and we do not make custom pigments. Each person sees color a little differently, so order a sample pack and test a small batch first to find the right amount for your project.

Color FAQ: https://ultraclear.helpscoutdocs.com/article/80-epoxy-color-pigments Mica powders: https://www.bestbartopepoxy.com/collections/epoxy-powder-pigments Liquid dyes: https://www.bestbartopepoxy.com/collections/epoxy-liquid-pigments Mixing video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dng2mkX6fys