Epoxy coating for furniture & art

Epoxy is ideal for casting, 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 someone 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 ask yourself: "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 solid, plastic-like material. Epoxy is very easy to process for do-it-yourselfers.

What is an epoxy coating?

An epoxy coating is, as described above, a liquid resin that hardens to a hard, glossy layer. It is a two-component system and consists of a resin and a hardener, which must be mixed together. After this, you can apply the coating to your artwork. After hardening, this layer is resistant to water, chemicals and UV radiation, making it a strong and durable coating.

Preparation of the substrate

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 you treat them with epoxy.

Applying the epoxy

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

Supplies:

Coating epoxy from UltraEpoxy
Mixing cups , stirring sticks , gloves
Sandpaper (grit 80-150)
Dust-free cloth
Brush or roller

Step-by-step plan:

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 (grit 80-150) to ensure better adhesion of the epoxy. The smoother the material, the coarser the grit. 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 will be. Irregularities that you do not sand away properly will continue to set in. So make the surface as smooth and clean as possible.

2. Preparing the epoxy

Read the instructions on the epoxy coating packaging carefully.
Work in a well-ventilated area (window open).
Mix the epoxy resin and hardener in the correct ratio in a (silicone) mixing cup . Stir slowly to minimize air bubbles. Scrape well along the edges and over the bottom.
The processing time of epoxy is on average 30-60 minutes at room temperature. For applying a coating layer you need on average 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 from any leaking epoxy. Place your project on a raised surface, such as a block of wood, so epoxy can drip off and the edges can be coated.
Wipe the brush or roller from the front with tape to remove any lint or other dirt.
It is best not to use foam rollers. These rollers can cause a lot of air bubbles.
Apply even thin layers of epoxy with a brush or roller. We recommend applying 2 or 3 thin layers of epoxy of 0.5-1 mm per layer. This will seal the surface completely.

4. Removing air bubbles

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

5. Curing

You can apply the 2-3 layers on top of each other after a few hours of curing.
After this, let the epoxy harden completely. Typically, epoxy hardens within 24-48 hours. Do not touch the epoxy in the meantime, or you risk having your fingerprint on the artwork as an unintended signature.
Place the coated artwork 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 it has cured and apply a second coat.
If necessary, repeat the epoxy application and curing steps for additional coats.
If there is a spot, dent or air bubble on the artwork, the epoxy has not cured properly. This can have many causes. Usually this has to do with the surface the epoxy reacts to. You can fix this by sanding your artwork completely matt with a fine grit of 1000-2000. Degrease afterwards and apply 2-3 new thin layers.

Applying epoxy to art

Epoxy is, as described above, extremely suitable for coating art such as statues, bowls 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 that 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 Coating Epoxy . This is a universal high-quality 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.

Applying 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 make a test project before you start your project. Make sure that 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. Each paint reacts differently to epoxy.

First apply a primer to the surface of your project. Only then apply the final coat of paint. Clean the surface with a degreaser such as alcohol. Do not use acetone to degrease a layer of paint, as this can 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 using polyester resin for DIYers. 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 more beautiful closed coating layers. Epoxy also has virtually no shrinkage. Polyester always shrinks a little, which you would rather not have on a surface such as wood.

Buy epoxy at itsOkay

Looking for high quality epoxy casting resin for your project? At itsOkay you will find a wide range of casting resins, colour pigments and other supplies of the best quality.

Do you have questions or need advice? Our experts are ready to help you with tips and tricks without obligation. Click here for the contact page .