You’ve just created the perfect tabletop for your coffee table, desk, or workbench. All that’s left to do is apply a protective topcoat.
While you have many options for protecting your wood from scratches, spills and other mishaps using a resin topcoat can create an impermeable barrier that will last a lifetime.
Epoxy resins can be used to encapsulate everything from coins and butterflies to wood grains. Having the right product for the job is important and there are a number of epoxy products on the market, each with its own strengths and weaknesses.
Using epoxy resin as a top coat on your wooden furniture or floors will result in a damage-resistant surface that is also beautiful and easy to clean!
For some DIYers choosing between polyurethane or epoxy can seem like an impossible choice but we’re here to help you learn all about using an epoxy resin as a top coat!
Can you use epoxy resin as clear coat?
The answer is yes! You can use epoxy resin as a clear coat, while resin has a ton of other uses.
This includes epoxy paint, jewelry, and woodworking projects. Epoxy is also used to seal wood countertops, cast sculptures, and protect decorative tabletop finishes.
There are a few things you need to know before you start painting with it though like how to properly store it and which type of resin to buy.
If you’re new at this whole DIY thing then don’t worry; we’ve got some tips for using resin on your next project that will make it easier than ever before!
Table of Contents
Can you use resin as a top coat?
Nope. You can use resin as a top coating for many projects, but not as a top coat for painted furniture.
Epoxy resin is actually plastic and when cured has the consistency of hard candy or an eraser. It’s best used for coating tables, bar tops, jewelry, coasters, and other objects you plan to keep flat.
I used it once to make my own magnets from leftover scrapbook paper pieces and epoxy resin magnified the design perfectly without adding any weight or thickness to the paper.
Because epoxy resin is so thick and heavy, it’s not suitable as a furniture top coat finish. Instead, use either wax or polyurethane (either water based or oil based).
Both of these products come in clear finishes that will allow you to see your paint color beneath them.
However, if you want to add color to your topcoat then I highly recommend using polyacrylic by Minwax over regular polyurethane because Minwax Polycrylic comes in many colors including white which will help brighten up any dark paint color underneath it.
Can I use resin as coating?
You can use epoxy resin for a variety of coating applications. It’s important to note that when you pour self-leveling epoxy, the first layer should be relatively thin to help create a smooth surface.
You can then add additional layers as needed depending on the overall thickness desired.
Additionally, since epoxy resin is so versatile, it can be used to coat almost anything. It is commonly used in arts and crafts applications but also has industrial uses, such as coating steel!
One of our favorite uses for our Crystal Clear Bar Table Top Epoxy is coating other DIY projects! Here are just a few things you can coat with ArtResin’s clear epoxy resin:
- Wood – to produce a hard glossy finish that not only protects the wood but will bring out its beauty too
- Sealed photos – effectively turning them into resin decoupage pieces
- Decorations – including ornaments, nameplates, and more!
What is epoxy resin top coat?
Epoxy resin is the least UV stable of all paints. While it is good for wood floors, boats and other surfaces that do not require stability to sunlight, epoxy resin does not work well as a top coat.
It is also important to note that most epoxy resin must be applied by professionals.
If you are looking for a clear coat for your project, choose one designed for protecting paint or wood. A lacquer or varnish works well on both types of surfaces and will protect them from sun damage and wear and tear.
These clear coats can be easily applied by anyone with little experience painting. Some spray sealants may also provide the protection you need while still allowing your paint job to shine through.
Once you have decided on what type of clear coat you want to use, apply it over the epoxy resin once it has cured, which can take up to 24 hours depending on the size of your project, humidity, and temperature levels in your workspace.
What do you use to seal epoxy resin?
Epoxy resin can be sealed using epoxy varnish, epoxy sealer, or a topcoat. These are all fairly similar products and will work to protect your newly poured resin piece.
The best epoxy resin topcoat is the one that gives you the finish you want within your budget. If you want a very shiny glossy look then go with a high gloss varnish like Bar Top Epoxy Varnish.
If you’re happy with a bit of sheen and protection but don’t need it to be mirror-like, choose more of an epoxy sealer like EcoPoxy Top Coat.
For a more matte finish, look for an ultra-gloss finishing varnish (satin) or even an acrylic paint that can act as its own sealing coat over cured resin (matte).
How do you seal epoxy resin?
Depending on your project, there are many options for sealing epoxy resin. You can use a spray can of clear lacquer (or other finish), which works well for large projects or small ones that would require too much finish otherwise.
If you are looking to finish a table top or large artwork, we recommend using an aerosol spray can of polyurethane, polyacrylic, Polyester Resin Spray (all from Krylon), or even a Polyurea coating (from Smooth-On).
For smaller projects like jewelry pieces and coasters, you can use a brush-on version of the same products.
How do you make resin top coat?
The resin epoxy top coat isn’t a new concept. It’s been around for years, in various forms. If you’re not familiar with it, here’s the basic gist of what it is and how it works:
Epoxy resin top coat is a way to put a bright finish on your floors without using sanding or pre-finishing through the use of sealers, primers, and even stains.
A guide will show you how to apply resin as a top coat so that your finish looks professionally done.
How do you make a resin coat?
Before we get to the good stuff, it’s time to cover a few basic things. First is the preparation of your surface. A flat surface with an even-textured resin coating will make application much easier and faster.
We recommend finishing your project with an even coat of primer before applying the resin.
Conclusion
You can use epoxy resin as a top coat.
There are many benefits to using epoxy as a final coat on your project, but you need to make sure you have the right kind of resin and you do it correctly, or else it won’t work properly. The first step is to choose an epoxy that’s designed for use as a clear coat or finish. After that, follow these steps:
- Prepare your workspace by protecting all surfaces with plastic sheeting and painter’s tape.
- Use a vacuum cleaner or brush to get rid of any dust or debris from the surface.
- Mix together equal parts of the two-part epoxy resin formula in a disposable container. Do small batches at a time, as this will give you more control over how quickly the mixture hardens.
- Pour and spread the mixed epoxy onto your work so it covers about two feet wide by two feet long by 1⁄8 inch thick (6 meters wide by 6 meters long by 3 millimeters thick).
- Allow this layer to harden before adding another layer; otherwise, they may fuse together while still sticky and create bumps in your finished product! If needed, repeat until all areas are covered with an even coat between each application to ensure even coverage without air bubbles trapped beneath its surface (a common problem when pouring too much at once).
