What Is Epoxy Resin for Wood?
Basically, epoxy resin is a material that is made by mixing two substances with each other. It consists of a polymer with more than one three-membered ring, which is also known as epoxide. Resin exists in liquid form and when mixed with a hardener, it goes through a exothermic reaction and solidifies within a few hours. This process occurs as a result of heat generation that is given out when the two solutions mix together, and this allows the material to cure better.
There are different types of epoxy resin you can find, one of which is an epoxy resin for wood. It can be used on tabletops, bar tops, wood finishes, and even in some types of resin art. You can easily upgrade the look and feel of your coffee tables, kitchen countertops, cutting boards or even bathroom vanities by applying epoxy resin over them. The different kinds of epoxy resin vary in viscosity, thickness, and also the time it takes for the material to cure properly.
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Why Do You Need Epoxy Resin for Wood?
If you like wooden artwork and are fascinated with river table, then epoxy resin for wood is what you need to make all of these on your own. There aren’t many solutions that come close to the quality and appearance provided by epoxy resin. Not only does it have a glossy texture, but it is also durable and lasts longer than any other material used for this purpose.
If mixed properly, epoxy resin for wood has a self-leveling quality, which means that you don’t have to worry about layering it properly. The epoxy resin solution hardens within a few hours and maintains its shape and appearance for a very long time, which makes it the perfect option for people who want to design their wooden tables or bars in a beautiful manner.
Another benefit of using epoxy resin for wood is that it is a multipurpose solution that can be used for more than just artwork. You can make use of it to stick other materials with wood, as it bonds well to the surface and stays in place for a long time. Other than this, you can also make use of epoxy resin as paint, sealant, or even as a repair solution.
Last but not least, you can also add different kinds of pigments, alcohol inks, pigments, resin dyes, and other coloring agents to epoxy resin to give it numerous colors, and this further enhances the aesthetic appeal of your artwork projects.
Things To Consider Before Buying Epoxy Resin for Wood
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There are a few factors that you should keep in mind whenever you are considering buying epoxy resin for wood.
Viscosity
Viscosity refers to the thickness and ease of flow of the epoxy resin. Since the liquid resin is mixed with a hardener, this reduces its viscosity and makes it less free-flowing. Generally, products that have a higher viscosity will add more shine and sheen to the project that you are working on. However, these products will dry up very slowly and it is also difficult to prevent air bubbles from forming in them. You can use a heat gun to get rid of those pesky bubbles while the resin is still wet.
On the other hand, products with lower viscosity will be much thinner and won’t have the same appearance and texture as the former. Therefore, you will have to add more layers of epoxy resin to refine it, but you can expect it to dry up much quicker.
Curing and drying time
After you have layered the epoxy resin, the time it takes to dry determines the total duration of your project. Moreover, the drying and curing time of the epoxy resin that you are using is determined by the hardener you use. When you are choosing an epoxy resin for wood, you have to wait for minimum 24 hours for it to dry and cure, depending on the size of your project.
If you have a more meticulous and detailed project, then you would need an option with a longer drying time whereas, for simple and short projects, you make use of something that has a lower drying and curing time. You should know that there are different curing times when it comes to using epoxy resin, and you should be aware of all of them.
You can use a blow dryer to dry epoxy. However, overheating can spoil the resin by making it brittle and resin can eventually shatter.
Toxicity
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The purpose for which you are using it also determines how much you should worry about the toxicity of the epoxy resin. If you are using it for a countertop, tumbler, or any other surface that will come in contact with food, then you need to ensure that the resin is food-safe.
Most epoxy resins consist of BPA, which isn’t a food-safe material at all. Plus, there are other ingredients that can be dangerous if they come in contact with food. Therefore, you should check the epoxy resin for wood to see if it has any toxic substances that may make it unsafe for use with food. Formaldehyde-based resins contain dangerous volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which is hazardous and can cause health issues. So, it is always advisable to use proper safety measures while using resins indoors.
Yellowing
No matter which epoxy resin you use, it will eventually turn yellow, no matter how much a company advertises a non-yellowing formula. If you want an epoxy resin that doesn’t yellow for a very long time, then you should read the customer reviews instead of focusing on the product description. It would help you find out which product will manage to hold its original appearance for the longest time.
Durability
Most epoxy resins for wood have been advertised as being durable and impact-resistant, but not all of them are strong enough. Therefore, durability and protection is other factors that you need to consider while choosing between different options. You should look for epoxy resins that provide protection against UV rays and moisture, to say the least.
Moreover, it would also be a bonus if you can find an epoxy resin that handles itself well even if weight is applied to it. For instance, if you use epoxy resin on your flooring, it will have a lot of foot traffic on it. So, you need to be sure that it is durable enough to withstand the weight.
Ease of application
Last but not least, another important thing to consider before buying epoxy resin for wood is the ease with which it can be applied. If you are doing it for the first time, then you will need a product that can be applied easily. Getting a product that is rather advanced or difficult to apply will make it difficult to cure the epoxy resin, and you may also end up ruining the wood piece you are working on.
Check the video from John Malecki for some useful tips about working with epoxy resin.
Source: https://gardencourte.com
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