I've had similar issues with resin outdoors—made some custom handles for garden storage boxes a while back. They looked great initially, but after a season or two, UV exposure made them brittle and faded. Maybe adding UV-resistant additives could help next time...
"They looked great initially, but after a season or two, UV exposure made them brittle and faded."
Yep, been there myself. Made some outdoor resin decor a few years back—looked fantastic at first, but same story, UV turned them chalky and fragile pretty quickly. UV-resistant additives do help a bit, but honestly, they're not a magic fix. I've found that giving resin pieces a good UV-protective clear coat (like marine-grade varnish or automotive clear coat) after curing makes a noticeable difference. It adds an extra layer of protection and keeps colors vibrant longer.
Injection molding can offer better durability outdoors since you have more control over material choice and additives right from the start. But for smaller DIY projects, casting is usually simpler and cheaper. Just gotta be realistic about lifespan expectations and maintenance. Either way, don't get discouraged—trial and error is part of the game, and your next project will definitely turn out better.
"UV-resistant additives do help a bit, but honestly, they're not a magic fix."
I agree with this completely. Last summer, I experimented with some cast resin garden lights, and even though I used UV-resistant resin, they still faded noticeably after just one season. Eventually, I tried coating them with marine-grade spar varnish, and that actually made a pretty significant difference. They're holding up better now, though I suspect I'll still need to reapply the coating every year or two.
Injection molding does have an edge in durability—I've seen injection-molded outdoor furniture that's held up impressively well over several years. But realistically, for most DIY projects or one-off creations, casting is just way more accessible and affordable. Personally, I'm okay with a bit of maintenance if it means I can keep experimenting without investing too heavily upfront. Plus, it's always satisfying when you find a workaround that extends your project's lifespan... even if it's not perfect!
I've had similar experiences with UV-resistant additives. A couple years back, I made some decorative stepping stones for my garden using resin casting. I figured I'd be smart and splurge on the UV-resistant stuff, thinking it'd save me from having to redo them every year. Well... not exactly. After just one summer, they started looking pretty dull and faded—definitely not what I was hoping for.
I ended up trying a clear automotive UV-protective spray someone recommended, and surprisingly, it worked pretty well. It wasn't perfect, but it definitely slowed down the fading. Still, like you said, it's something you have to reapply every year or two. Not exactly "set it and forget it," but manageable enough.
Injection molding is definitely tougher in the long run—I have a set of injection-molded patio chairs that have been sitting outside for at least five years now, and they're still going strong. But honestly, injection molding just isn't practical for most of us DIYers. The upfront costs alone are enough to make your wallet cry a little.
For me, casting is still the way to go for smaller projects or one-offs. Sure, there's some maintenance involved, but it's affordable and flexible enough that I can experiment without feeling guilty if something doesn't turn out quite right. Plus, there's something oddly satisfying about finding creative ways to extend the life of your projects—even if it means occasionally spraying stuff down in the backyard while your neighbors give you funny looks...
I've noticed the same issue with resin casting outdoors—UV additives help, but they're not bulletproof. One workaround I've found useful is choosing opaque or darker pigments instead of clear resins. They seem to hold up better over time without needing constant touch-ups.
