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So, when I have a deep pore, I like to let it cure over the weekend. I recently poured a 30-liter river table last Friday to do just that. But when I got back from a fishing trip over the weekend, I was welcomed with a huge mess. After realizing the huge mistake I made, I realized that there was no better time than now to do my 10 beginner mistakes when working with Epoxy.
Let’s get to it.
Your pour is either going to be too thin or too thick if you use the wrong Epoxy for your project. The fix for this is pretty easy. You just need to remember to read the label on your Epoxy. If something cures too fast or too slow, you’re going to be dealing with a lot of problems down the road. If you don’t read the exact thickness usage for the Epoxy you purchased, you could run into some issues too.
If you overmix your epoxy, it’s going to turn become thick, snotty, and completely useless. On the other hand, if you under mix your Epoxy, you’re going to get haze, cracks, and soft spots in it. To avoid this, make sure you are properly following the mixing instructions on your Epoxy label.
Here in Pittsburgh, Yinzers love the weather. For some reason, all of my family members watch the weather like hawks. When it comes to the temperature of your Epoxy, follow my family’s instincts, and pay attention to it. If it is too hot or cold, your Epoxy won’t cure correctly. The temperature for both the room you’re working in and the materials you are using should be regulated.
If you improperly measure the volume of your Epoxy during the hardening and resin phases, you will have too much or too little hardener. Some Epoxy products include measuring for volume while others measure by weight. Pay attention to what the instructions on your Epoxy label stipulate. Measuring the pour of your Epoxy is vital as well. Make sure you are taking the proper precautions for measuring, such as using a volume calculator on your phone.
If you can, use fresh buckets, mixing containers, and sticks when dealing with Epoxy. If anything gets off your mixing stick or any other tool into your pore, you will see it in your final product. I suggest using acetone to clean any materials or residuals from your bucket. When you begin mixing your materials, make sure you are doing so in a single bucket.
Brand-specific formulas for resin should not be mixed with other brands. Even within a brand, you should mix two different types of formulas. Speaking of brands, I wanted to give a shout-out to Woodcraft for sponsoring this video. Woodcraft has been sponsoring me for years and I love them. If you need any Epoxy for your next build, Woodcraft has it all.
While using water is a common practice in our lives as humans, that doesn’t mean you should use it when working with Epoxy. Keep water away from buckets, tools, or anything else that is going to be near your resin.
This is probably something that I overlook way too often when I do my projects. But if you end up pouring something that is even just a quarter-inch out of level on one side, you will be drastically out of level on the other side. So just take an extra couple of minutes to make sure your workspace is nice and level before you start pouring
Basically, don’t be a lazy bum when it comes to building your mold. You should take extra precautions to ensure that your mold is airtight and dry.
One thing that’s massively important is the caulking that you are using or the method by which you are sealing your corners. You will want to complete the process the day before so that the caulking is dry.
If you’re resuing melamine, don’t go past one or two uses of it. I prefer using Tyvek tape, but I have also used packing tape for the pore.
Remember — there is a shelf time on your Epoxy. You can’t just leave it alone for two years and expect to use it. If you do, the Epoxy becomes gross and inefficient to use alone. When you store your resins, you need to make sure you are putting them in airtight containers and that the lids are on.
If you like this video check out my other Epoxy Tips videos!
- 5 Tips I wish I knew as a beginner
- CRAXY Epoxy Lava Table Build
- HUGE 60L Epoxy River Table Build
Want to try this build out for yourself? Download the digital plan now for step-by-step instructions, measurements, and a detailed look at how to punch this project in the face.
I used to be an offensive lineman in the NFL, Now I run my own furniture business and am completely self taught. In my videos and posts you'll see a variety of wood and metal work as well as some tips and tricks. Enjoy!
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Pittsburgh-based custom wood and metal worker. Tool Reviews, DIY Projects, and a whole lot of yinzer pride. Join the movement & punch your next project in the face.
