Epoxy tables are increasingly becoming popular due to their ability to create a luxurious style and modernity. In this article, we will explain step by step process of how to make a resin wood epoxy river table top.
With the right materials and equipment, this technique is simple and achievable.
What You Need To Make A Resin Wood Epoxy River Table Top
If you want to know how to make epoxy table top, these are the essential things you need.
1. Epoxy Resin for Casting
The casting resin is for creating the river. The best epoxy for river table should have low viscosity for ease of pouring into the mold.
It also ensures that the resin covers small gaps and the hard-to-reach areas of the wood. The best epoxy resin for casting include:
INCREDIBLE SOLUTIONS Pourable Plastic Clear Casting Resin
It comes as a clear liquid. This is the best epoxy resin for beginners, but it can also be used by professionals. It produces a crystal-clear cure.
- Product Type:Bonding Adhesives
- Item Package Dimension:24.13 cm L X 24.765 cm W X 29.845 cm H
- Item Package Weight:6.123 kg
- Country Of Origin: United Sta
INCREDIBLE SOLUTIONS Deep Pour Clear Casting Resin
This is the best epoxy resin for thick pours. It produces a thick layer of up to 2 inches. It has UV inhibitors that prevent the yellowing of resin.
It also has low viscosity and can go well with pigments and dyes.
2. Epoxy Resin for a Final Coat
Once casting is done for your epoxy river table, a final coat needs to be applied to the tabletop.
This protective layer seals the epoxy and makes it durable to prevent yellowing, choose a topcoat that has UV inhibitors.
The best epoxy for the final coat include:
INCREDIBLE SOLUTIONS Table Top Epoxy Resin
For a shiny and clear epoxy resin tabletop, this is the best choice. The finish is durable and has high resistance to UV thus no yellowing.
- ⭐ USA MANUFACTURED- It is Safe once fully and properly cured, Low odor because we proudly manufacture here so you can rest assured you are getting the very best product produced!
- 💪 ROCK HARD VERSATILITY - We ONLY Produce a Tough, High Gloss, Water Resistant Coating so you know when it counts, we have your back!
STONE COAT COUNTERTOPS Epoxy Kit
This is the best epoxy resin table kit if you want to get a stone-like finish on your tabletop. It is also crystal clear and cures within 24 hours.
- Epoxy Resin Mixing Kit: Wooden Craft Sticks make great for mixing resin, paint, ink and other liquids. Silicone Graduated Cups make measure and mixing easily, then tear off the epoxy resin easily after it dried. Placing the different colored resin in Plastic Cups makes you convenient to apply.
3. The Right Wood
To achieve the best results, you need to choose the best wood for your epoxy table. The wood should be well dried with a moisture content of less than 12%, it should also be natural wood.
Preparation of The Wood
You can choose to prepare the wood by yourself or buy ready wood from the carpenter. If you are doing it yourself, ensure that you have a circular saw and a planer
The wood panel is cut into two equal parts and to the right length and angle. Use a circular saw to cut the woods.
The wood must be planned to an even thickness and both wood boards should be flat. For epoxy wood projects for beginners, buying already prepared wood is easier.
Create The Right Working Conditions
Epoxy resin is a sensitive material therefore, the right working conditions must be created the appearance and performance can be affected by conditions like high temperatures, humidity, or dust.
The environment should be well ventilated, dry, and free from dust. The ideal temperatures are 20°C during the whole process.
Avoid storing the epoxy resin on the floor as it is always colder than the room. This may result in air bubbles forming in the resin, ruining the whole epoxy wood table.
Step by Step Guide on How to Make a Resin Wood Epoxy River Table Top
1. Removal of the Bark and Sanding
Remove any remaining bark and sand the edges by hand. The epoxy resin will stick better to the wood than the bark.
Proceed to sand the entire wood using an orbital sander.Start with 80 to 220 grains and make sure you dust after each grain.
Dust the wood thoroughly using a vacuum cleaner, and wipe with a microfiber cloth to remove all dust residues.
2. Crack Filling and Wood Sealing
Use clear epoxy resin to fill all cracks and uneven areas. Once cured, seal all the wood with resin and let it dry for at least 5 hours from 18°C to 24°C.
After curing, the inner edges should be roughened. This will make the resin bond perfectly with the edges.
3. Build a Formwork for the Resin Tabletop
Use MDF boards to build resin tabletop mold. The board should be the length and size of the desired tabletop. Seal the edges using clear sanitary silicone.
For easy removal of the tabletop later, apply a release agent to the finished mold.
Place the mold on a well-balanced surface to avoid the resin becoming crooked or leaking.
4. Fix the Wood to the Mold
Fix the wood in the exact place you want on the finished table. Use parallel clamps to fix it. Apply a sanitary silicone barrier along the edges of the river.
Keep a distance of 0.4 to0.8 inches from the edge, for the resin to be poured cleanly.
5. Epoxy Resin Mixing
To know the amount of epoxy resin you need, use an epoxy resin calculator. The calculator will give the total amount required and their ratios.
Use a bucket to mix the resin and ensure that you stick to the recommended ratios. Remove air bubbles using a hot air blow dryer.
6. Resin Coloring and Creation of the Water Effect
Use special epoxy resin since you can fill in one casting. Choose a colored epoxy resin for wood of your choice for coloring.
To create the water effect, fill resin into two containers and pour them simultaneously into the mold.
Once done, use a stick to alter the patterns to suit your taste. Allow it to cure well.
7. Crystal Clear Resin Designs
Different epoxy table designs can be created with crystal-clear resin. Add the first layer of crystal-clear resin between the wooden boards and spread with a heat gun.
Do not heat the resin for 3 seconds in one place, you might end up with a burnt epoxy table.
Pour the second layer when the first layer is still sticky. Any decorations such as crystals are added to the second layer.
Fill the resin layer to just above the edge and allow it to cure completely.
8. Removing the Tabletop from the Mold and Sanding
Remove the cast tabletop from the mold by removing all screws and clamps and using a chisel and a plastic hammer to loosen it.
Sanding should be done to the tabletop to ensure there is no resin on the wood.
9. Finishing
To achieve a natural matt look, the tabletop is polished with a polishing paste. This ensures that a silky appearance is achieved.
For small epoxy resin wood projects, simply use a towel and polish it by hand. Bigger surfaces will require a buffing machine for better results.
How to Use Epoxy Resin On Wood – Epoxy Resin for Wood
- Ensure that you tape the edges so that resin does not drip
- Pour and spread epoxy resin for wood over the entire wooden surface
- Remove all air bubbles that formed.
- If you notice a change in viscosity, discontinue the process
- Always practice with small surfaces.
- ✨【ALL IN ONE PACKAGE】Epoxy UV Resin Kit included Resin and hardener of 0.5 gallon, Plastic spreader, Gloves pair, Plastic tablecloth, Silicone measure cups, Sanding file, Plastic stirrer, and Instructions to guide you at every step.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: How Much Does it Cost to Make a Resin Table?
A: The cost will depend on the size of the table, the amount of epoxy resin required, the cost of wood, and whether you have the required tools. for example, an epoxy resin dining table can cost more than 500 dollars.
Q: What Type of Wood is Used for Resin Tables?
A: Use the flattest live edge wood e.g. yew, oak, or black walnut for a unique and natural finish. The wood should be well dried with a moisture content of below 12%.
Q: What Do I Need to Make a Resin Table?
A: You will need clear epoxy resin, wood, pigments, tape, polishing compound and oils, abrasives, spreader and mixing sticks, mixing cups and buckets, safety equipment, and melt glue-gun.
Conclusion
We have tried to give you a clear step by step guide on how to make a resin wood epoxy river table top perfectly. Now you are ready to make your own epoxy river tabletop with the given instructions and guide. So, prepare the stuff and make the DIY epoxy table.
Happy woodworking!
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