Tabletop epoxy

Overview

Tabletop epoxy is a two-part epoxy resin poured onto a surface and left to self-level into a thick, high-gloss film. Wikipedia's comparison table describes epoxy as thick and high-gloss, with high protection, "safe when cured", an easy pour-on for flat surfaces, and irreversible once cured; some formulations cloud or yellow with UV. Acetone cleans it while it is liquid. It is also the resin in river-table work, treated in Resin and epoxy river tables.

Pros

• Waterproof thick film: System Three says its MirrorCoat is "water and alcohol proof" (maker claim).
• Very thick in one pour: Total Boat's TableTop Epoxy goes on up to 1/4 inch per coat.
• Self-leveling and pours on flat surfaces (Wikipedia).
• Long working time: about 40 minutes for both Total Boat at 70 F and System Three (maker data).
• System Three says MirrorCoat is repairable and can be buffed (maker claim).

Cons

• Irreversible once cured (Wikipedia), so mistakes mean sanding or scraping.
• Temperature and bubbles: System Three gives a minimum application temperature of 70 F, and bubbles are popped with a propane torch 5 to 10 minutes after pouring, flame 6 to 8 inches away.
• Fisheyes: System Three names uncured stain or sealer, silicone polish such as Pledge, and a surface that is too smooth (sand 120 to 150) as causes.
• Some formulations cloud or yellow in UV (Wikipedia); no UV rating is given on the maker pages we read.
• Slow cure: 5 to 7 days to full cure.

Suitability

For bar tops, dining tables, counters and river-table pours over wood such as Live-edge slabs and in Resin and epoxy river tables. It is a flat-surface finish: Wikipedia calls it an easy pour-on for flat surfaces. Total Boat says not to use TableTop Epoxy on cutting boards or prep areas.

Coats and application

System Three: seal coat at no more than 1/2 oz per sq ft with a 1/8 inch foam roller, let it cure 4 to 6 hours, then flood coat at a minimum of 4 oz per sq ft; mix 2:1 by volume. Total Boat: mix 1:1, 2250 cP, 40 minutes of working time at 70 F, gel in about 72 minutes at 77 F, recoat after at least 3 hours, and seal-coat porous wood first. Pop bubbles with a torch as above. Full cure 5 to 7 days. Prepare the wood per Sanding schedule; for live edges and cracks see Repairing defects before finish.

Compatibility

• Keep silicone polish, uncured stain and uncured sealer away from the surface (System Three, fisheye causes).
• Seal porous wood first (Total Boat) and sand to 120 to 150 grit (System Three).
• For oily timbers see Degreasing oily woods.
• For a drying-oil finish on the rest of the piece see Tung oil and Boiled and raw linseed oil.

Care and repair

System Three says MirrorCoat can be buffed to repair it (maker claim). Wikipedia says the cured film cannot be reversed, so damaged areas are sanded and recoated or buffed; test on scrap. Avoid sustained UV exposure given Wikipedia's note about cloudiness or yellowing.

Safety and environment

Total Boat describes its TableTop Epoxy as BPA-free and safe for food-surface contact once cured, but also says do not use it on cutting boards or prep areas; these are manufacturer statements. Wikipedia lists epoxy as "safe when cured". 21 CFR 175.300 includes epoxy resins with catalysts as coating components for food-contact articles, but that does not make a finished table food safe. We read no SDS data for these products; use the SDS for mixing precautions. See Food-safe finishes.

Related

• Food-safe finishes: what food-contact claims do and do not mean
• Resin and epoxy river tables
• Polyester and UV-cured finishes: other thick, hard films
• Repairing defects before finish, Degreasing oily woods