How To Make A Resin Wood Epoxy River Table Top – Epoxy On Wood

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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

How To Make A Resin Wood Epoxy River Table Top – Epoxy On Wood

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.

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.

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.

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 WoodEpoxy 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.

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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3. How to Make a DIY Table Saw Fence – Simple Guide and Plans
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To Learn More About Woodworking and Carpentry Visit at iSaw Guide Home.
Robert Terry

Robert Terry is a specialist author at isawguide.com. He is very enthusiastic about woodworking and carpentry. His writings have been published in the wood magazine before. His passion for working with wood and woodworking tools lets him explore many pieces of informative content and resources. Besides working as a creative writer, he loves to share his skills and experiences with the woodworking and carpentry community.

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