Do you want to change the countertops in your kitchen and homes in general but do not want to shed big bucks on the same? This is where epoxy resins come into play!
Epoxy Resin is becoming one of the most popular products in the market today. They are readily being employed in small businesses, art, DIY projects, and industrial applications.
These resins are used in different daily items ranging from jewelry and decorative trinkets to even flooring and furnishing your homes. Given their multifaceted usage and dynamic composition, they are products that are significantly in demand.
Their easy application also makes them some of the most fun products for you to work with! You might even be more interested in knowing about these resins and the extent of their potential!
Worry not. We have got you covered!
Table of Contents
What Are Epoxy Resin Countertops:
Epoxy resin countertops are not your simple laminate or granite countertops that can be bought off racks in home stores. These are countertops that are made keeping a specialized design in mind with the help of epoxy resins.
You can experiment with resin countertops at home, with the entire process from creating to finishing taking place at your home workstation.
The chemical constitution of epoxy resins allows for a durable and rock-hard substance that can withstand heat, scratches, and even other damage types.
This allows epoxy resins to be a good choice for making countertops. Now, let’s have a quick look at the best resins and some crucial equipment.
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Things Required when working with Countertops –
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5. FGCI Table Top Super Clear Epoxy Resin Crystal Clear –
The best and the worst thing about this epoxy resin is the curing time. This resin is for fast movers, people who are real-life flash as the working time here is way too little. A lot of people have complained about premature hardening.
You hardly have 10-15 minutes of working time, after which it starts curing, and in 12-24 hours, you’ll have a hard, glossy, and durable resin countertop. But that depends on the room temperature. I recommend 70 degrees as it’s the most forgiving.
I have my kitchen countertop coated, so I tried it in the bathroom, and it turned out amazing. It even resists the heat from flat irons and curling irons, making it perfect for the kitchen as you may put hot things on top.
Make sure you mix it properly. Scrap the sides of the container and pour it into a different container to finish mixing. You can also mix glow pigments, mica powder, alcohol inks, etc., to add some color.
Since it’s self-leveling, it flows pretty nicely on flat surfaces but not so much over the edges. Once poured, wait a few minutes, and the bubbles will go away. If not, spray the top with Isopropyl alcohol or use your heat gun; it’ll help.
Once done, it’ll cure to a scratch & water-resistant surface in just 12-24 hours which is way lesser than most resins. I like it, but this isn’t the best option for you if you want more working time.
Pros
- This resin cures in 12-24 hours, which is fast
- It cures clear to a glossy, scratch, and water-resistant surface.
- You can add mica, alcohol inks, etc., to add color.
- It resists the heat very well, so no problem when you put something hot on there.
- It’s self-leveling and has UV inhibitors that prevent sun yellowing.
Cons
- You have to be very serious about temperature and time; otherwise, it will harden before applying.
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4. Incredible Solutions Table Top & Bar Top Epoxy Resin –
The best thing about this resin is the price and quality. It is very affordable while the quality is identical to the bigger brands in the market, so it’s an excellent value-for-money epoxy. You get two half-gallons, a Resin, and a hardener that needs 1:1 mixing.
It mixed pretty well and even took the mica smoothly, but the strong smell was something I didn’t like, so make sure to sit in a well-ventilated room. It has a very thick consistency, especially the hardener, making it challenging to use.
If you feel like it’s too thick, just leave it in hot water for 10 minutes; it will thin it a bit and also solve the bubble problem. It gets many bubbles, but you can easily pop them using a heat gun or torch. Just keep an eye after popping as more bubbles may appear.
One thing to be careful about is the temperature. You have to make sure your room and resin are warm enough; 75 degrees is perfect(personal experience). Since it’s self-leveling, it’ll easily coat your countertop and cure to a durable, scratch-resistant glossy surface in 12 hours.
Of course, the curing time can vary depending on the temperature, but 12 hours is under favorable conditions. It has UV inhibitors that prevent yellowing from the sun but ensure the exposure isn’t long.
Another thing I noticed is that my countertop stains very easily. I had mustard on the counter for less than 5 minutes, and it stained such that I had to sand it out. So, be quick or be ready for an excellent cleaning session.
Pros
- Excellent quality but very affordable, so it’s value-for-money
- UV, water, blemish, and impact-resistant
- It’s self-leveling, has a low odor, and gives a glossy finish.
- It cures crystal clear and mixes well with mica.
- It cures in about 12 hours.
Cons
- It stains easily, and you have to be serious about the temperature
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3. TotalBoat – Table Top Epoxy Resin Crystal Clear –
This TableTop epoxy from Total Boat is an excellent option for countertops. I used this on my kitchen countertops, and it cured crystal clear and hard in 24 hours. It now feels like I have installed a granite or quartz countertop at a very affordable price.
You get two half-gallons containing a Resin and a hardener that needs 1:1 mixing. This resin is very thick and self-leveling, so it applies easily without falling off the edges. However, you may have a different opinion.
If you think it’s too thick, simply put it in warm water for 10 minutes; it’ll thin it and also get rid of most bubbles. You’ll notice some bubbles when pouring, especially if you are mixing very fast, and plenty more when pouring, but need not worry; just run over a torch, and they’ll vanish.
But don’t relax yet. Even if you pop all the bubbles after the initial application, the product can look great, but some bubbles may appear after a few minutes. Recheck it after 5 minutes and torch the new bubbles to get a spotless finish.
This resin cures clear, but you can add some mica powder or alcohol inks to add some color. The fact that it has a very faint smell makes it among my favorite. It takes some time and effort, but the result is a durable scratch, stain, and yellow-resistant finish.
I love it, but one thing made it low on the list. I once put a slow cooker on the countertop, and it yellowed underneath and melted where the foot of the crockpot was, so not so good with scorching things, I guess.
Pros
- It cures crystal clear and hard in 24 hours.
- You get two half-gallon bottles that need a 1:1 mix.
- This resin is self-leveling, BPA-free, and yellow-resistant
- It almost has no smell and is easy to work with
- You can add mica and alcohol inks to add some color.
- It cures to a scratch, stain, and yellow-resistant finish.
Cons
- It melted upon placing my slow cooker, so I guess it’s not very comfortable with high temperatures.
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2. Mas TableTop Crystal Clear Epoxy Resin One Gallon Kit –
This epoxy resin is officially the best value-for-money resin on the list. You get two half gallons, a 4″ spreader, and a 4” brush to use effectively. All this at a very affordable price. These small add-ons and a reasonable price gave it a slight edge over others.
But is having a low price and add-ons made it to the list? Nah! I tested it. I poured it on my kitchen countertops after painting them, and it cured to a smooth, glass-like surface that’s easy to clean and looks great. However, there were a couple of problems.
This resin is very thick, so filling in voids, gaps, and holes is easy but getting a lovely flat, the clean finished top isn’t; it requires a lot of patience to apply even without having gaps. Another problem is the massive amount of bubbles, especially micro-bubbles, it gets.
The simple solution is to warm the bottles for like ten minutes before using them and then mix them slowly. It makes it thinner, easier to spread, and saves you from many bubbles. But still, you’ll see plenty of bubbles, then the torch or heat gun will be your friend.
If you are stuck anywhere, just glance at the application instructions included in the box or the instructional video they linked to. The best thing is that it doesn’t have any odor, and it cures rock-hard in 24 hours, so it is probably an excellent option.
Pros
- You also get a 4″ brush and a 4″ spreader with resin.
- It’s very affordable and comes with add-ons.
- It cures to a smooth, glass-like finish in 24 hours
- It comes with application instruction
- No noticeable odor and easy to work with
Cons
- It gets plenty of micro-bubbles
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1. Pro Marine Crystal Clear Bar Table Top Epoxy Resin –
This is the best epoxy resin for wood, I have used it to coat Bar Tops and cabinets, so I knew this would be good for countertops too, but I was wrong. It’s not good; it’s fantastic. I have used it for my DIY countertops with some spray paint and love it.
It cures crystal clear with a high gloss finish within 24 hours or less, depending on the temperature; 75-85 degrees is perfect. I love that it has minimal odor and doesn’t get many bubbles, making it pleasant to work with it.
This self-level resin eliminates craters, crawling, and fish eyes, making it easy to get a lovely flat, clean-finished top. Unlike the previous resins, this is a 2 Gallon pack, so you get a gallon of Resin and a Gallon of Hardener that needs 1:1 mixing.
It’s easy to mix and take colorants very easily. I added mica, paint, and glitter, and it blended smoothly. But remember, if you are mixing paint, make sure it’s acrylic or spray paint. When pouring, you may see a few bubbles, so you can keep a heat gun nearby.
The tip of my counter is amazing and crystal smooth, but to make the countertop edges look good, you need a good portion of material flowing over the sides. Once it’s ready, it holds abuse very well, and to this day, it still looks as new as day one.
Pros
- It cures crystal clear and glossy within 24 hours.
- It has minimal odor and doesn’t get many bubbles.
- It is self-leveling and eliminates craters, crawling, and fish eyes.
- Easy to pour and get a lovely flat, clean finish top
- You can add mica, paint, glitter, etc.
- It cures to a UV resistant, durable, smooth surface
Cons
- Nothing serious
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Different Types Of Countertop Designs –
The potential of using epoxy resins to refinish your countertops has endless potential. Below are some of the most common but appealing epoxy ideas to use when redoing your countertops!
1. Clear Epoxy –
Clear epoxy countertops can also be used in several ways. You can use them to set in objects like beer-filled bar tops and help in butcher blocking wood surfaces.
You can use these measures to give a reinvented touch to your countertops while also preserving and enhancing the surface’s existing beauty, wood, concrete, etc.
2. Pigmented Epoxy –
This process generally gives your counters several different effects and tangents. One of the ways is to utilize colored Epoxy and add effects such as metallic-based galaxy effects.
You can also use pigments to give a marble or grainy finish, which is extremely attractive. You can even go for the beach-style bar top design or the marine vibe using several different-colored pigments. The possibilities indeed are endless.
How To Make Resin Countertops –
Now that you have acquainted yourself with resin products, it is necessary to know the detailed process that should be followed while preparing your resin countertops.
You can decide on your own set of colors, your preferred designs, and patterns while paying attention to the relevant details of the same.
1. Materials Required –
It is advisable to keep certain materials handy while engaging with epoxy resin for making different products. These include epoxy resin and hardener, brushes, drills and bis, orbital sanders, oscillating tools, paint rollers, and trim routers.
Some other essential items that you will need include metal cups. Painter’s tape, primers, hardeners, stirring sticks, buckets, and choice of colors as required.
2. Process Of Application –
1. Choose the countertop area you want to layer, and duly remove all items on and near it for a cleaner working space. If you have a sink on the countertop, you must remove it before pouring any epoxy.
2. Epoxy Resins work best on rounded corners. You can use a router to follow the countertop’s natural path to smoothen and round the edges. It would help fill any prevalent gaps and seams to have a leveled and smooth surface to work on.
3. You need to choose your design carefully and be ready with the relevant materials. You can choose your desired color pigments and designs in the form of splotches, streaks, stripes, and marbleized effects. If the surface is covered in laminate, you would require a color pigment under all circumstances.
4. Now, mix epoxy resin and hardener in the correct ratio. This depends on the brand you’re using, so be sure to look at the package and the manufacturer. If you use colors, make sure that they are according to the Epoxy ratio.
5. Pour your mixture over your counter smoothly and uniformly. You can level it with a trowel or paint. The edges should be covered. This is also the optimal time for you to add colors. The first layer needs to be as thin as possible.
6. Allow the resin mixture to cure. The Epoxy will begin to harden in approx 20-30 mins, and your surface should be fully hardened after 48 hours.
7. Now, apply the next layer to the now hardened surface. Repeat the same process, but you can make the second layer slightly thicker.
8. You can now begin removing tape and plastic from your space, and after 48 hours, your Epoxy should be fully cured. You need to add polyurethane to the countertop to project its shine and maintain durability. Wait for at least 12 hours for the poly to dry, and then your countertop is ready!
Common Issues Faced While Using Epoxy Resin For Countertops –
1. Using The Wrong Product –
Epoxy Resins are extremely versatile and are also available with several options in the market. It can also prove difficult to choose the resin product option that best complies with your needs.
For this, you need to be sure of the number of features that different resin products have and make an informed choice before purchasing.
2. Improper Storage –
Epoxy Resins are chemical products that are especially susceptible to developing issues when exposed to dust, smoke, and heat. It is necessary to ensure that they are stored in areas away from exposure to any of these contaminants.
When Epoxy is not in use, you should store it at a temperature between 600° F and 70° F (16° C and 21° C). Make sure that it is stored in a place where the temperature does not fluctuate too much as well.
3. Yellowing –
Yellowing occurs when resin packages have been exposed to dust, dirt, and heat and when they have been in use for longer than specified periods. This leads to your resin components turning yellow, as they are uncured and have stagnated in the packages.
You can deal with these issues by ensuring that you keep your resin components away from contaminants such as dust and smoke. Tools such as stabilizers and other agents can be used for the same as well.
4. When Mixing Is Not Proper –
Uneven mixing can pose some problems for you, especially while the curing and hardening process occurs. This leads to uneven and unsmooth surfaces, which do not yield the best resin results. If this problem arises, you can solve it by –
1. Ensure that the ratio of the resin mixture is proper and mixed thoroughly
2. It would help if you used clean cups for pouring the mixture
3. Use stirrers and ensure that you maintain an excellent circular motion
4. You can repeat this process until you get a smooth surface.
5. Bubbling –
Bubbles are some of the most common problems you will face, especially as amateurs in resin art. These are also a result of improper mixing of the resin mixture and can cause problems with the final product.
The following steps are crucial in preventing this from happening and keeping your resin product in top condition –
1. You need to ensure that your resin mixture is evened out and settled. This enables bubbles to come up to the surface, making it easy to identify them
2. You can use heat guns, torches, and candle lighters to pop the surface bubbles. This is important to get rid of them and ensure that you achieve a leveled surface.
3. Allow the mixture to rest for some time and cure post this process.
Properties Of Epoxy Resins –
Epoxy Resins have several qualities that make them a popular product worldwide. They are composed of polyepoxides and consist of mainly four components- resin, hardener, accelerating agent, and plastic medium.
Different epoxies, such as polyester-based epoxy acrylates, and pure epoxy, are found in abundance in the markets. Epoxy Resins also boast a shelf life of around 2-3 years, depending on how they have been mixed.
They possess flexibility and durability that lead to extensive usage across spectrums. Different epoxies tend to be used for different things, but all produce the same fantastic results depending on your needs!
Advantages Of Epoxy Resin Countertops –
1. You get an attractive high-effect finishing with a shine
2. The surface tends to be durable and tough
3. The surface becomes safe and non-toxic upon curing
4. You can have many continuous patterns and designs
5. It provides you with unlimited design potential
Disadvantages Of Epoxy Resin Countertops –
1. The process of application can be time-consuming
2. The surface can have stains
3. You need to be detail-oriented and have a particular skill level for doing this.
4. Epoxy resins are difficult to remove once applied.
Uses Of Epoxy Resins –
As stated, Epoxy has a wide variety of functions. They are used in the form of adhesives and in the form of coats and cement in the industrial domain.
Epoxy resins are used in molds and as keychains, jewelry, and decorative ornamentations in daily life. The smooth and shiny surface gives resin products an attractive look and draws audiences.
The epoxy resin’s surface is clear, crystalline, and smooth, which allows you to make intricate designs and patterns. It has all the necessary qualities and features to be a versatile and extremely dynamic product that you can use in different ways.
Frequently Asked Questions –
How To Maintain The Lustre And Shine Of Your Epoxy Countertops?
This is a recurring question that a lot of people tend to have. To help maintain the luster of your countertops, just a dash of mineral oil helps a lot. This can be applied weekly.
The mineral oil helps keep the epoxy resin bright and shiny on the surface. It would help if you also remembered that excess mineral oil could make the surface cloudy and dull.
The excess oils can always be wiped off using a clean cloth. Epoxy surfaces also tend to stain easily, so it is advisable to keep the specific features of the epoxy resins you are using into account.
How Can You Use Epoxy Resins Over A Laminate Surface?
Laminate surfaces are some of the most common countertop surfaces. If you see that a laminate surface has become discolored, damaged, or needs to be revamped, you do not necessarily need to replace it with a new one.
Epoxy resin coating over laminate surfaces on the countertops can help make them look as good as new. It is easy to fill several cracks, gaps, and crevices with the help of epoxy resins.
Given that epoxy resins come with durability features, you can have a durable and more long-lasting countertop surface.
Are Epoxy Resins Safe To Use?
Epoxy on curing is considered a safe and toxin-free substance to use. The liquid resin and hardener include elements that can irritate your skin if touched directly.
The fumes that are let out in the epoxy mixing process can also be harmful to your eyes and skin and can cause severe allergic reactions if you do not take proper precautionary steps.
Working on your epoxy resins in a well-ventilated setting would be best. Also, you should cover your eyes with protective goggles, wear a breathing mask and ensure that you are wearing protective clothes that cover your skin entirely.
Conclusion
As we have seen, epoxy resins provide many features for you to channel your inner artist to create something beautiful and meaningful. You can dabble in many different designs and effects.
They are fun and easy to use and have multifaceted applications. You can use it on your countertops to create an attractive and long-lasting design! Select your epoxy resin product wisely, and let your creativity run free!