FritzCustomEpoxy Tutorial 1: Measuring and Mixing Epoxy Correctly
Epoxy is a chemical reaction, not a paint. Resin (part A) and hardener (part B) must be combined at the exact ratio printed on the label, usually 1:1 or 2:1 by volume. Guessing the ratio is the number one cause of sticky, soft or cloudy cures.
- Work in a room between 70–80°F (21–27°C) with the resin and hardener at the same temperature.
- Use graduated mixing cups and measure each part separately before combining.
- Stir slowly for 3–5 minutes, scraping the sides and bottom of the cup with a flat stick.
- For larger batches, pour into a second clean cup and mix again (the "double cup" method) to catch unmixed resin clinging to the first cup.
- Pour soon after mixing. Epoxy left in the cup heats up and shortens your working time.
FritzCustomEpoxy Tutorial 2: Getting a Bubble-Free Finish
Bubbles come from three places: air whipped in during mixing, air escaping from porous wood or concrete, and air trapped in molds. Tackle each one separately.
- Mix slowly. Fold the resin instead of whipping it.
- Seal porous surfaces first. Brush a thin seal coat onto wood and let it tack up before the main pour so the grain stops releasing air.
- Warm the resin. Setting sealed bottles in warm water for 10 minutes lowers viscosity and lets bubbles rise.
- Use a heat gun or torch carefully. Pass it quickly over the surface a few minutes after pouring. Don't hold it in one place or you can scorch the resin.
- Pour thin on molds. A thin first layer brushed into mold details stops air getting trapped in corners.
FritzCustomEpoxy Tutorial 3: Pouring a River Table Step by Step
A river table combines two live-edge slabs with a resin channel between them. The key difference from a coaster or tray is depth: river tables need a slow-curing deep-pour epoxy that can go down thick without overheating.
- Dry and flatten the slabs. Wood should be kiln- or air-dried to a stable moisture content. Flatten both faces with a router sled.
- Remove loose bark and debris. Anything loose will float into the resin.
- Build a sealed form. Melamine board lined with sheathing tape or a reusable HDPE mold, with every seam caulked. Leaks are the most common river-table disaster.
- Seal the live edges with a thin coat of epoxy and let it tack.
- Clamp the slabs down. Wood floats in liquid resin; screw or clamp it so it can't lift.
- Pour within the product's maximum depth. If the river is deeper than the label allows, pour in several layers and wait the recommended time between them.
- Let it cure fully, often 3–7 days for deep-pour resins, before demolding, flattening and sanding.
FritzCustomEpoxy Tutorial 4: Flood Coating Countertops and Bar Tops
A flood coat is a thin (about 1/8 inch) layer of table-top epoxy that self-levels across a surface. It's how bar tops and countertops get that deep, glassy look.
- Clean, sand and degrease the surface. Laminate and old finishes need scuff sanding so the epoxy can grip.
- Mask the underside edges with tape so drips are easy to remove.
- Apply a seal coat first on wood to prevent bubbles.
- Pour in a ribbon down the middle and spread with a notched trowel or plastic spreader, letting it run over the edges.
- Use a foam brush to smooth the vertical edges, then pass a heat gun across to pop bubbles.
- Cover with a dust tent and keep the room warm for at least 24 hours.
FritzCustomEpoxy Tutorial 5: Sanding and Polishing to a Glass Finish
After a full cure, cured epoxy can be sanded and polished just like a car's clear coat.
| Stage | Grit | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Flattening | 80–120 | Remove high spots and drips after demolding |
| Refining | 180–400 | Remove the scratches from the previous grit |
| Wet sanding | 600–3000 | Bring back clarity in the resin |
| Polishing | Compound + polish | Restore a mirror-like shine |
Don't skip grits. Each grit only removes the scratches from the grit before it. If you'd rather not polish, a thin final flood coat or a hard-wax oil gives a smooth finish with less effort.
Have a question about care or materials? See the FritzCustomEpoxy FAQ and care guide, or learn how to turn your skills into income.