Epoxy coating for furniture & art

Epoxy is ideal for pouring, laminating or protecting certain surfaces and art objects such as stone, wood, plaster, plastic, concrete , etc. Coatings are popular among artists who want to protect their artwork, for furniture makers or anyone who wants a new look for their table or kitchen top. Applying an epoxy layer can provide long-lasting protection and also gives a beautiful glossy finish.

What is epoxy?

If you are working with epoxy for the first time, you will probably wonder: "What is epoxy?" Epoxy is a versatile synthetic resin that always consists of two components: a resin and a hardener. When these are mixed together, the material hardens into a sturdy, plastic-like material. Epoxy is very easy to process for do-it-yourselfers.

What is an epoxy coating?

Epoxy, as described above, is a liquid resin that hardens into a hard, glossy layer. It is a two-component system and consists of a resin and a hardener, which must be mixed together. You can then apply the coating to your work of art. Once cured, this layer is resistant to water, chemicals and UV radiation, forming a strong and durable coating.

Substrate preparation

On absorbent surfaces such as wood and stone , it is important to first apply a primer layer. You do this by first applying the same epoxy that you are going to use very thinly. After about 24 hours the epoxy has hardened and is hard enough to continue working. Wooden surfaces must first be lightly sanded before treating them with epoxy.

Applying the epoxy

Use a fine disposable cabinet or roller to apply the epoxy. You can find these brushes and rollers at local hardware stores. Gently roll out the epoxy crosswise. Because epoxy is thicker than paint, quick movements can cause air bubbles. Therefore, work slowly with the thinnest possible layers and, if necessary, brush with a fine brush for a smooth and bubble-free result .

Supplies:

Ultraepoxy universal epoxy
Mixing cups , stir sticks , gloves
Sandpaper (grit 80-150)
Dust-free cloth
Brush or roller

Roadmap:

1. Surface preparation

Clean the surface thoroughly to remove any dirt, dust and grease. Degreasing can be done with water and ammonia, thinner or acetone.
Allow the stone or wood to dry completely.
Then lightly sand the surface with sandpaper (80-150 grit) to ensure better adhesion of the epoxy. The smoother the material, the coarser the grain. Always test this on a test piece first. Then wipe the sanded surface clean with a dust-free cloth.
The better the preparation, the better the project becomes. Imperfections that you do not sand away properly will otherwise continue to appear. So make the surface as smooth and clean as possible.

2. Preparing the epoxy

Read the instructions on the packaging of the epoxy resin and hardener carefully.
Work in a well-ventilated area (window open).
Mix the epoxy resin and hardener in the correct proportion in a (silicone) mixing cup . Stir slowly to minimize air bubbles. Scrape well along the edges and the bottom.
The processing time of epoxy is on average 30-60 minutes at room temperature. To apply a coating layer you need an average of 250 grams of epoxy per square meter. Calculate exactly how much epoxy you need here: How much epoxy do you need?

3. Applying the epoxy

Make sure your work table is level and well protected against any leaking epoxy. Place your project on a raised surface, such as a block of wood, so that epoxy can drip off and the edges can also be coated.
Wipe the brush or roller from the front with tape to remove any lint and other dirt.
Avoid using foam rollers. These rollers can cause a lot of air bubbles.
Apply even thin coats of epoxy with a brush or roller. Our advice is to apply 2 or 3 thin layers of epoxy of 0.5-1 mm per layer. This completely seals the surface.

4. Removal of air bubbles

You can remove air bubbles with a heat tool such as a lighter or spray the Bubble Blaster over the epoxy once to pop air bubbles.

5. Curing

You can apply the 2-3 layers on top of each other after a few hours of curing.
Then allow the epoxy to harden completely. Typically, epoxy cures within 24-48 hours. Do not touch the epoxy in the meantime, otherwise there is a chance that your fingerprint will appear on the artwork as an unintended signature.
Place the coated art object in a dust-free area to ensure smooth curing.

6. Finishing

If there are any bumps or imperfections, you can lightly sand the epoxy after curing and apply a second coat.
If necessary, repeat the steps of applying and curing the epoxy for additional coats.
If there is a spot, dent, or air bubble on the artwork, the epoxy has not hardened properly. This can have many causes. This usually has to do with the surface on which the epoxy reacts. You can remedy this by sanding your work of art completely matt with a fine grit of 1000-2000. Then degrease and apply 2-3 new thin layers.

Applying epoxy to art

As described above, epoxy is extremely suitable for coating art such as figurines, dishes and other objects. By providing your artwork with an epoxy coating you create a strong, waterproof and wear-resistant layer. Moreover, it results in a beautiful and sleek finish. Who wouldn't want that? The coating is completely transparent, so the surface remains visible. Epoxy coating adheres excellently to various materials such as wood, stone, concrete and metal.
There are different types of epoxy available. For these types of projects with thin layers, our experts recommend the Ultra Epoxy . This is a high-quality universal synthetic resin. This epoxy is specially designed for making art and applying coatings. Applying an epoxy coating is easier than you think. You can read exactly how it works in the heading above.

Apply epoxy to paint layer

Do you want to apply epoxy over a layer of paint such as wood, stone, concrete, etc.? An epoxy coating layer can provide long-lasting protection. In addition, epoxy provides a beautiful glossy finish. Always create a test project before you start working on your project. Make sure the paint you use is of good quality. The cheaper the paint, the cheaper the additives and the greater the chance that epoxy will not react well to this. Every paint reacts differently to epoxy.

First apply a primer to the surface of your project. Only then do you apply the final coat of paint. Clean the surface with a degreaser such as alcohol. Do not use acetone to degrease a paint layer, as this may dissolve the paint. Now apply 2-3 layers of epoxy of 0.5-1 mm per layer. See above for a complete step-by-step plan for applying coatings.

Epoxy or polyester for coatings?

We do not recommend the use of polyester resin for do-it-yourselfers. Polyester is a beautiful system and remains beautifully clear, but is less safe and generally more difficult to work with. Epoxy flows better and hardens slowly. This gives you nicer closed coating layers. Epoxy also has virtually no shrinkage. Polyester always shrinks a bit, which you would rather not have on a surface such as wood.

Buy epoxy at itsOkay

Seeking high-quality epoxy casting resin for your project? At itsOkay you will find an extensive range of casting resins, color pigments and other supplies of the best quality.

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