5 EPOXY Tips I Wish I Knew As A Beginner!
MY TOP 5 EPOXY Tips I wish I knew when I was a beginner! With all of the Epoxy projects we have done in the last year, i get a ton of emails and DM's about people wanting to try it themselves. So here i have compiled my top 5 topics for EPOXY beginners, and all the tips I have learned along the way!
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If you like this video, check out some of my epoxy projects!
- 10 EPOXY Mistakes Beginners Make - • 10 EPOXY Mistakes Begi...
- CRAXY Epoxy Lava Table Build - • CRAZY Epoxy LAVA TABLE...
- HUGE 60L Epoxy River Table Build - • HUGE 60L Epoxy Live Ed...
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EPOXY Project Playlist - • Epoxy Projects
Product Types From This Video
Ecopoxy Brand Resin I use
- Tabletop - Think pour - geni.us/VaiYXBV (Amazon)
- Liquid Plastic - Up to 1.5” Pours - geni.us/Y5cRN (Amazon)
- Flow Cast - Pours over 1” - geni.us/FRdR (Amazon)
- Pigment - geni.us/zNbvE (Amazon)
Totalboat Brand Resin I use
- Table Top Epoxy - geni.us/2LHe0t (Amazon)
- General Application - geni.us/rDIdOtQ (Amazon)
- Casting Epoxy - geni.us/uiwPQ (Amazon)
SUPERCLEAR Casting Epoxy - geni.us/XArW33 (Amazon)
West Systems Epoxy - geni.us/Zbb3v4 (Amazon)
Black Diamond Pigments - geni.us/fcxnw (Amazon)
Mold Building Products
Tape
- Tyvek Tape - geni.us/pH5VB (Amazon)
- Packing Tape - geni.us/BtOPT (Amazon)
- Caulking - geni.us/bkA96 (Amazon)
- Fondant tool - geni.us/8BGgu (Amazon)
Surface Prep
- Diablo Sandnet Products - geni.us/aOalJFj (Amazon)
- Mirka Abernet Products - geni.us/0WSvKAD (Amazon)
- Router Bit for Flattening - geni.us/ERUTuIt (Amazon)
- Automotive Polish
o Medium - geni.us/t8iSu (Amazon)
o High - geni.us/eOrVVEC (Amazon)
- Buffer - geni.us/Tses (Amazon)
Proper Mixing Tools
Mixing
- Drill Mixer - geni.us/fD4V8 (Amazon)
- Measuring Cups - geni.us/6gLVtb (Amazon)
- Nitrile gloves - geni.us/WT1QAF (Amazon)
- Torch Trigger - geni.us/zDpP9FX (Amazon)
- Heat Gun - geni.us/AmStBc (Amazon)
Finishes
- Rubio - Pure - geni.us/gVxyQ (Amazon)
- Pre - Catalyzed Lacquer - geni.us/K3zW6 (Amazon)
- Odies Oil - geni.us/oIXCn (Amazon)
- Osmo - geni.us/mozHXgO (Amazon)
- Wood Furniture Wax - geni.us/17F6G (Amazon)
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#BeginnerEpoxy #Epoxy #EpoxyResinTips
There's no way to definitively gauge how many times you just saved future me from completely screwing up multiple slabs and attempts at epoxying, but let's just play it conservative and say 43. Awesome, info packed, BS free video, love your humor and your presentation was amazing, this was exactly what I needed. Thanks for taking the time do this, hugely appreciated!!
Working on a coffee table at home between college trimesters and thinking of doing some epoxy detail on the top. This video was super helpful on thinking on how I want to do it. Thank you!
Thank for taking the time to share your knowledge and tips. I've been doing commercial counters for a few years for my own small stores and it's always just been trial and error. Your video will be very helpful in aiding me to greatly improve my pours. I'm a general contractor, home builder and have a lot of wooden boat building experience but love doing larger epoxy projects and look forward to doing a large rive table in the near future. Thank you for saving me from myself. You're the best.
Thanks for a video that really breaks down some of these questions! What's your process to rid bark and all the other crap you want to get rid of on the slab? Whats your product of choice for prepping the edges of the slab before a pour?
As someone who works in the epoxy industry I would say some things that are super important are: The resin / hardener ratios are as close as can be. I never ever measure with volume. Always measure by weight. Also when mixing be sure to get the sides and corners of the vessel scraped down. It is always best to mix with a slower folding method when time allows as it introduces less bubbles and provides a better mix. If possible i pour out of the mixing vessel through a filter which surprisingly can help eliminate bubbles as well. There are a million nuances that can be learned, but these are some things I've learned over the last 15 or so years doing this stuff that i didn't hear on here. You guys do great work and i really enjoy the content.
thanks ian, great pointers there, do you still measure by weight even when it calls for volume on the container ?
@@John_Malecki Personally i do, only because measuring liquid by volume isn't super exact. You are relying on the accuracy of the vessel you are measuring in, and the the surface tension of the material can skew how much material is actually in the vessel. Being a little off isn't a huge deal when you are doing large amounts, because they typically account for that by having a little extra hardener. The smaller the amount the more exact you want to be. Volume measurements are the quick and dirty way to mix epoxy and it for sure will work, but for consistent results and uniform hardness i would measure by weight for smaller projects. Maybe It's overkill, maybe its my OCD.
Do what it says on bottle some cant be mixed with weight as they are different weights
Great video. I am looking at doing my first epoxy project and you explained the process so well. I will most likely watch this video again before I start. Keep up the great work.
A great help, very informative thank you from across the pond in the UK.
I want to thank you for all your very educational and entertaining videos. You do a lot of the work I would enjoy doing myself. I have been running into many issues trying to get epoxies to flow out and make my projects look great. I really only do table tops and poor less than 1/8 inch at one time.
Actually going to be doing my first ever attempt doing a countertop, and this was a MASSIVE help. Thanks for all the solid info!
How’s it going for you?
The main thing I got from you was to realize how little I know ... that's a good thing, so thank you. I also love the fact that I recently told someone that I don't mind giving my "secrets" away. First, because there are no "secrets" in copper work and second, because I always get more back that I can put forth. Your video is a prime example. Again, thank you!!
I love this comment - Always pay it Forward. You always end up being blessed and helping others to realize that paying it forward especially with your knowledge and helping them ( by sharing your own knowledge;you are helping us with not losing alot of unnecessary money on making things that are smaller projects that still have great quality and that will be much easier and less expensive than if you had not shared your knowledge. I have a lot of respect for people who want to see others become successful as well. Thank you for your help and your heart and I love your work it has inspired me to get my sons & my husband to work together to create smaller things likes vanity tables and TV dinner Trays or even jewelry boxes or chests to put at the end of our bed & it’s a beautiful addition to our resin Projects. Sincerely - Mike & Heather
Absolutely great video, I'm doing my first river table top at 42x84+-, this is helping me immensely
Thank you for the inspiration. Starting my first epoxy project next weekend. This was quite helpful.
This was massively helpful - thanks for the thorough beginners guide!
Looked for every video out there on epoxy. Found yours after i bought an overpriced kit with scan code instructions. On the box i burned. And it continued to go sideways from there. DO NOT rush into this and plan properly. You sir have a quality channel. Good Work.
I am glad I found this video. Thank you for your suggestions.
Great video. Have done a couple river tables and dozens of bowls with table top epoxy. To get a satin finish on top of a deep pour or table top finish I just sand at 320 grit then use a buffing compound then paste wax. Or I just use a buffing compound instead of the sanding depending on the degree of gloss. You gave GREAT detail!
This is so amazing. I’ve been goggling this question for hours trying to figure out what type I need. Thank you kindly ✨
Hey i say it that way too lol thank you kindly❤🇺🇸
The layout of tools in the back is so soothing!!!
Agree
Totally
Absolutely
Affirmative
Aaaaannd - relaxe!! All is in placeAnd all is well with the world # slightly-o.c.d 😆
Thank you thank you thank you I was doing resin without any knowledge at all, at least now I know where I was going wrong. I appreciate it and keep up the good work thanks.
I'm just getting started in the epoxy furniture business. Thank you! You literally saved me so much time and money.
This is GREAT content! Thanks, I wish I had this years ago.
One of best videos you’ve ever done, as well as one of best videos period done on subject if not the best. Thanks again for your content man. Enjoy watching your channel. Very relatable and easy to watch and entertaining without being over the top. Keep it up please sir
You got it Josh!
Loved this video. Just getting into adding epoxy into wood projects. Very informative, cheers!
It's a very popular thing at the moment and seeing some of the results I can understand why. So, that was a terrific walkthrough, gives us all a better understanding of how to make a start. 👏👏👏👏
Ive been wanting to get into epoxy and I'm glad I remember this video. Good thing is I used to be an auto detailer so I'm great at the sanding, buffing and polishing process!
I’m really happy for you Luis.
Thank you for being so thorough. This was really informative!
Glad it was helpful!
Glad I saw this! Been trying to figure out deep pours (ashtrays and rolling trays) with table top epoxy 🤦♂️ at least the bubbles and the colors I used make it look like stone
I watched your video and found it very informative. Thank you for sharing. I’m an artist and I’ve been doing custom airbrush work for almost 50 years. I want to learn how to do the epoxy river table tops and other epoxy art. I’m working with another friend that bought an entire wood shop. We want to start creating cool stuff. I have hundreds of ideas already. I need a detailed list of everything we need to get started. I’m going to watch your video a couple more times to try to learn as much as possible. Thank you again.
Thanks for the video, hope to see more videos like this in the future!
This helps a lot thank you.
Great, Great video very informative thank you! This is where Im headings with my business and Im sure this will give me a huge head start.
Great video.?That back part where the tools are is to die for! So organised and beautiful oh to have a workspace like that.
Really good tips. Haven't done Epoxy yet, but will come to this video when i get to it.
I think you should mention the importance of wearing a respirator while working with any epoxy. Protect those lungs! Better safe than sorry.
What about if your doing it outside?
@@Cb-zj5xl A full respirator? Or will something like an N95 work?
@@every_thing_wood1251 organic vapors respirator
this is the best video i’ve watched so far but always someone trying to be smarter than you. When working with woods i should always wear mask, many woods hardwoods have carcinogenic properties. important for river or charcuterie board when cutting and the finish u youse. wearing a mask is practically standard. Boots, gloves glasses ears n lungs are basic common sense. I’m not searching for a channel that tells me to wear a mask 😷 I’m loving this guy. straight to point. n why you are doing this a certain way n not the way u think. I just hate when i see a comment that shows or indicates something a person may have missed. 2022. I have an uncle who made the most beautiful carvings from. antlers, i mean world best quality n he came from an age where it was not known that antler dust is very bad for you and that is what he passed away from although he let us with amazing art. take care y’all,
After Covid nobody was wearing the right mask do you think somebody’s going to actually buy a proper respirator with the charcoal activation inside
2 years of my life have gone by without me finding this video. Dude - you are hysterical. Even though I dnt do a fraction of the things you do (I do small crafts & searched for a video about epoxy & this came up) I continued to watch bc it was purely entertainment on top of extreme intelligence. Amazing stuff man. Smart as a whip. And the entertainment was the icing on the cake. Def had me hit the subscribe button. (And you're easy on the eyes 👀 - lucky wife LOL) ZERO DISRESPECT. Can't wait for the next 1!
Thanks so much...appreciate your knowledge/expertise! Looking forward to an upcoming pour project I have.
Thanks John! This video came right on time. I'm in the process of getting supplies for my first attempt at an epoxy build (wood epoxy coasters). You are saving me from much frustration and wasted time.
That is why I’m here my friend !
@@John_Malecki Thank you . Great job. Greatly appreciated.
Great video! Thank you for the effort. Love the channel, man
Hey thank you for the information. I am starting some builds in Thailand while I'm stuck here during Rona really helpful
Great tips! Thanks John. I'm planning on making some clocks, not as big as yours, but still want to seal them and sell them, this helps!
Re dust extraction the Oneida Dust Deputy is an awesome addition to any system. I picked a couple smaller less expensive vacuums and hooked them up with an ABS Y pipe fitting so I get just a ridiculous velocity which is key for the Dust Deputy to separate material.
Also also I sand down to 3000 grit and just use an orange oil furniture polish and my clients love it.
Also forgot to add, when sanding plastics a grounding wire also helps. Mine is attached at the bolts that connect the Cyclone to its lid.
Hey, good video. I have a small start up woodcraft business and I basically have been teaching myself through trial and error. so thank you, I did take notes from this video and I will surely give them a try. I enjoy the fact that you keep it simple and do not over explain causing confusion. My suggestion to everybody is have open mind and like you say...READ LABELS! P.S. the Black Rifle table was awesome!
I have one too, nice to see I'm not alone here :)
Also thank you for this video ive never used epoxy before but am intrigued by it and want to start doing epoxy projects,very informative,once again thanks for the advice really appreciate it hopefully you'll do the "removal of the bobbles" video soon thanks again
Hi! Your tutorial is incredible, you have really helped us a lot in our epoxy projects, wonderful people who share, explain and help other people to realize our dreams. thank you very very much
Thank you. I needed this information.
You're welcome !!!
In my melamine/Tyvex tape molds, I use the Tyvek tape in the corners, and it works amazingly - no caulk needed, and I never had a leak. Even so, I have also taken a 1/2" diameter nylon rope and ran it around my table perimeter, holding it down with duct tape, thus creating a "dam". In the event I would have a leak, it can't travel to my floor.
Thank you for sharing your experience and your sources. This was an excellent and very informative video.
Absolutely love that all your gear hangs in a perfect line behind you😍
I wish this video was around 2 years ago when I started my epoxy table. Hard lessons were learnt.
@6:54 if you rotate the screw counter clockwise(CCW) while putting them(starting them) in, thereby capturing the original hole threads, the holes will last much longer. By doing this you will notice the screw "seats" in the original threads. If you brute force the screw in clockwise(CW) then know this is the risk of cross threading the screw hole giving only two uses of the form. So CCW then CW to place the screw in the hole. Once started you can drive it to seat.
Always
Looking to get into this with my father. Been binge watching and taking notes. Keep them coming brother!
Thank you for all these great tips. I feel ready to do my epoxy countertop project now.
1st timer. When he said “ the point of this segment is to READ THE LABEL” I subscribed. lmao I like this guy. Wed be friends
We are friends Ollie!
Great video. This answered a lot of questions.
Same 😊🙏🏿
Very helpful as I plan my first river table project. As long time boat builder I am familiar with epoxy as an adhesive and for use in various laminations but I have not used epoxy alone as a structural element. One thing I would say is you are absolutely correct to use gloves and any other protective clothing working with epoxy. However Acetone is not the only thing that will remove epoxy from skin, alcohol works as well, in fact in my shop we use a Purell type of waterless, alcohol based hand cleaner. It does an excellent job removing epoxy and is much less toxic and gentler for your hands. Of course you have to use it before the epoxy has "kicked". Once cures there is only letting it harden and strip it, along with any hair in the area as well You do excellent videos I have learned a lot from them and as soon as I finish repairs on the rowing shell taking up all the room in the shop, I have planned to build one of your assembly/layout tables, I got the plans a month ago and I am looking forward to the project.
Brilliant tutorial John. Thanks so much pal, so many of my questions answered.
Great video! YES! Temperature!!!! Such a great video!
Yes! Thank you!!!!
What finish would be really durable, like no coasters required when you put a drink on it?
Great job John. You answered a ton of questions this beginner has.
Awesome info and delivery, real presence, thank you!
You are my self quarantine binge channel. Go Steelers!
Great video! Thanks for all the tips. Quick question: i know you said absolutely no water near the project, but is it ok to test the mold with a bit of water to see if there is a leak anywhere, then dry it off, let it dry for a day/two and then use the mold?
No, don't do it. As long as you follow what he said to do then you're good. The problem with water is that it can get under the tape and get trapped, or cause swelling in the mold. Use black silicone so you don't miss a corner and you'll be good.
Excellent video. I'm going to try Liquid Glass next, but for most quick small jobs, I keep going back to Z-Poxy. I know it's a finishing epoxy, but I've been able to use it in the semi-cold, heat, shallow, deeper than I probably should, and mixes well with powders. Extremely forgiving!
Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. Lots of love and respect from here in Iran 🇮🇷
We sooo need a blooper reel.
John, great video very helpful tips. I am well into my trial and errors of the Epoxy craft and would like your professional opinion. I have used about four different epoxies over the past year, some User Friendly other not so much. DO you have an epoxy that you can recommend that is scuff/scratch resistant -ideal for table tops (not River tables specifically)? Example, I build little end tables and the last two products I used loved the mix and pour, but even after the recommend cure time they still scuff easily. How, by doing my coffee cup test and wood block (lamp bottom) to purposely see how scratch resistant (not indentations) they are. Of course their customer service recommends polishing with this that or the other...Yes I know how to polish (which is an art in itself) but my customers after simple uses should not have to deal with scratches. Thank for your feedback and look forward to more videos and projects!
I am impressed with your presentation. Iwill keep your videos in my must watch file fore sure. Thanks for being a smart but easy to watch presenter.
This man has a way of speaking that keeps me listening, not necessarily "engaged" as if I'm in a conversation but I'm definitely picking up the information he's sharing and that's a really good quality to have if you're making a tip video like this one. So thank you for sharing just enough information to keep me inquisitive and also getting to the point fast enough that I'm not tapping the screen looking to see how much time is left.
He sounds condescending to me; is it really necessary to speak as if the viewer/listeners are complete idiots…? Maybe it is necessary for this guy. It’s nothing personal in any way; just expressing my my opinion howeverr I have learned a some things from this video that have been quite helpful
Yay! Freedom units! I wanted to leave this comment in the description, like you said in the end, but I could not.
FREEDOM UNITIS
I love working in units of 12 and 16 instead of 10. The freedom of stupidity, yay!
I could have used this yesterday before my first attempt with a resin pour that ended up leaking out. I'll never make that 90$ mistake again. lol Great video!
I could have used this yesterday before my first attempt that ended up floating (because I wanted it fully encapsulated in epoxy). Ended up flipping the boards and using vertical copper pipe to set weight on so that only the copper pipe will become part of the table and it will be on the bottom so less visible. If I had watched this, I would've thought "well duh, of course wood floats" but no, I didn't watch this and didn't even think about it lol.
Agreed but think of it as a lesson learned. It's not a waste if you learned something.
Making sure the pouring area is level! Seems so obvious when you say it, but I guarantee I likely would not have thought of it. Thanks for all the tips!
I’ve often thought about doing epoxy work, but now I know not go in lightly. Props on a solid video, sir.
I used an oil based stain on a bar top. The wood is rough and I like the “look” but want a smooth feel. Can I get a recommendation on type of epoxy?
Probably table top. it'll look like a plastic film tho....
@@John_Malecki hey bro, looking for a mentor. ????
GREAT VIDEO!! "Shotgun" for when 🇺🇸 goes back to NORMAL to be the one for you to make a 📹 with as a first timer epoxy pouring episode!!! (Just saying)🤷🏽♂️
Hahahahaha
A perfect information video, Thank you I am preparing for my first table .
I am about to embark on this journey and lucky me…. Thank you for all of this valuable information
Now I’m freshly armed with his knowledge....Let the chaos ensue 😂
BRING THE CHAOS
Hahaha🤣
My tip is to do everything you can ahead of time. Some of this you wont know until you have done it a few times, but for instance if you are going to need a bunch of pieces of masking tape, tear those and have them ready. Onc you put gloves on and you get epoxy on, this is NOT the time to start trying to tear tape. Every second of time you put in to prepping ahead of time, laying tools out, etc, is so much less stress and work later.
Great tip!
Thank you for the very helpful video. Look foreward to more of your videos.
I will be attempting my first one in a few weeks. Need a table for myself but if it goes well iv got a few people who want me to make them one. Im hoping i can turn my woodworking from more a hobby into a buisness this would be a great addition to sell so this was helpfull
i never use a heat gun anymore, use acetone in a fine mist spray bottle and spritz it over the epoxy, the bubbles vanish and no harm to the epoxy, just give it a try.
That sounds... Incredible toxic.
Lol I’ve got a swamp cooler that I can’t control temperature well on so I had to wait a week until temps were low enough in the desert for my swamp cooler to keep around the right temperature. Don’t have a normal thermometer so I pulled the meat thermometer out of the kitchen to track temperature and know when to turn my swamp cooler up or down 😂 good times
Very cool hahaha sounds like i need a swamp cooler
4
I put a window unit in my pour room if its over 90 degrees freedom units I don't get much working time especially with larger projects
Awesome thank you so much. This was extremely educational for a epoxy beginner like myself . Thank you
As a complete noob about to do my first epoxy project, this was very helpful thank you.
"dispersing of the boobles" ... the next instalment of informative videos on epoxy
Do you have a new person editing the videos? The style and quality has gotten better
Yes we do, thank you! I'll let him know
excellent Sir, thank you for sharing your knowledge.
Thanks for all of the great tips!!!!
Well, I wish this video would have existed a week ago . . . I might have poured my 1st try a bit too fast and nearly burned the shop down! Ok, I'm over exaggerating. Slightly. Hahah! Thanks for the great tips! I'll be applying a few of them going forward :o)
Might just be my brain wiring but when you said, "vacuum the form out," at 11:45, I sure thought you were about to say something else with an F involved hahah
Thank you so much for putting this out there; very informative! I am building a shuffle board table and refinishing a piece of a bowling alley for the top. I am doing my research but do you think table top epoxy will work? I was going to follow your sanding/finishing tips. I really want the thing to shine and be super clear. This is my first ever epoxy project and know I get one shot so don’t want to mess it up. Any help or insight is greatly appreciated!
Thanks! Just getting started on this. I don't really know where to begin but it will be somewhere! Appreciate you sharing!
I have lots of great exotic wood slabs for sale
I was hoping to see safety instructions and promotion.. just found out how dangerous the fumes from epoxy are.. It's scary
I saw this comment & was a little worried myself. I ordered an Ecopoxy Flowkit , and they said you don't have to worry at all about anything. It's even labeled it's nontoxic and you can breathe easy. Just an FYI for people buying it & yourself
Anyone else here after messing up an epoxy project?
Me! haha
amazing video, everything I wanted to know, you covered
Glad your actually honest still....im just starting and watch alot and i get alot of good info from your channel....fyi im actually thinking of buying the shop pro based on your dont do it video
"UHHHHHH..No, I did not just fart". BWahahahah That sent me! Now as I am typing, I swear I heard you say "two part fart uh varnish" Oh my this was worth it right here!
Me: These epoxy things look nice, I'd like to get into that. >Watch a few beginner videos. Me: Nah, fuck that mess.
what kind of stuff did you want to make?
@@user-tx5vr2lu6e I like building small models and wanted to encapsulate them in a moment (battle at sea, among clouds etc) rather than gathering dust on a shelf.
Iv been watching your channel now for the last few days and I must say your awesome, I wanna be a carpenter now and do epoxy tables, funny, and a channel we can really learn on EPICCCC!!!
Great video. If you're making bowls and vases out of epoxy and wood, how do you determine the right kind of epoxy? The projects that I want to do don't really have a specific thickness. The resin will flow around pieces of wood.