While we’ll cover all the reasons new epoxy should never be applied over old epoxy in this article, the most important reason is that it simply doesn’t work.
New epoxy will never bond with old epoxy—the two are permanently separated by a barrier that no amount of force will penetrate.
It’s somewhat akin to attempting to stick two pieces of duct tape together: you can pull and stretch, but they won’t actually stick like they would if you were sticking them to another surface. Before we explore why this is the case, it’s important to note that there are certain situations where a specific approach may work—although it isn’t advisable—so in order to avoid confusion or false expectations, here are the topics we won’t be covering in this article:
- Theoretical instances where new epoxy over old might bond
- Ways to apply new epoxy over old and trick yourself into believing you’ve successfully covered up an old coat of epoxy
Does epoxy stick to dried epoxy?
If you are asking the question “can you put new epoxy over old epoxy?” then you probably have a project in front of you.
Let’s dive right in and discuss whether or not an additional layer can be added on top of dried epoxy.
The answer is yes, so long as it has been properly prepped. First, make sure that your surface has been sanded and cleaned.
Then, apply a thin layer of primer before beginning to spread your new material. You will find that this process is much simpler when compared to dealing with other materials like wood and metal, which would require extensive sanding and priming prior to application anyway.
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When can I add more epoxy over epoxy?
The main thing to keep in mind when adding more epoxy over epoxy is to make sure the first layer has fully cured. If it has not fully cured, the new epoxy will not stick.
If you are unsure if your epoxy has fully cured, here are some tips:
- see if your cured epoxy is hard and doesn’t scratch easily
- feel if it’s warm
- think back on how long ago you applied it; for instance, if you poured a few layers of thin-coated glue together and then added an extra thick layer of glue on top, that thick layer is probably what needs time to cure (that may take up to 14 days)
Once it’s clear that the epoxy is totally dry, this means you have a few options for adding more. You do not need to sand off the existing epoxy. And as long as it’s not tacky anymore and feels hard, choosing what kind of new epoxy can add new dimensions to your project!
Can you recoat epoxy?
You can recoat epoxy as long as your first coat is still tacky. If it’s fully cured, you will have to sand off the old layer before you can apply a new one.
When deciding on how many coats of epoxy to apply, keep in mind that the more coats you put on, the thicker your finish will be and the longer it will take to dry completely.
Can you recoat epoxy without sanding?
To recap, here are the three things you need to look at when deciding whether to recoat your table:
- Make sure it’s fully cured before sanding and adding a new coat of resin.
- It needs to be clean, dry, and free of contaminants—such as dust and grease—before applying epoxy. Using a sponge or rag with a degreaser or acetone can help with this step. (Read more about removing oil from wood.)
- You’ll need to sand the surface so that the next layer can bond to it properly.
How do you epoxy over old epoxy?
The first thing you need to do is check out the surface of the old epoxy. If it is smooth and looks very shiny, then you will have to rough up the epoxy before applying a new layer. This can be done using sandpaper or steel wool. Once the surface has been roughed up, run your hand over it to ensure that there are no bumps.
After preparing the surface, clean it using some acetone. You can use a solvent-soaked rag or paper towel; just make sure that all debris is gone from the service area and that you are scrubbing in slow circles.
Once you have made sure that your surface is ready for application, then you can begin applying your new epoxy layer by pouring a little bit of Epoxy onto one side of the table and working your way towards the other edge in linear strokes until all of your gaps are filled
How do you fix uneven epoxy resin?
You can fix uneven epoxy resin in a few different ways. The first and easiest way is to use a heat gun to smooth the surface of the project. This is ideal for small imperfections but can be time-consuming if the project has many low spots.
Another option is sanding down the surface using a drill brush or orbital sander. Sanding requires a bit more work, but it’s great for projects with big dips in them.
If you’re working on a relatively large surface and want to avoid having dust all over your workspace, use an orbital sander instead of manually sanding down each area with your hands. To remove any bubbles that appear as you are sanding, simply take a torch and lightly move it over the area until they disappear.
If you want to avoid using tools completely while still getting professional quality results, consider investing in an epoxy leveling tool like this one from Amazon which will help you get perfectly even resin every time!
Using these tools will ensure that no matter how many times you pour epoxy over old epoxy there won’t be any air bubbles or raised areas on top of existing layers because they’re designed specifically for this purpose!
Can you sand epoxy and recoat?
Many DIYers who have worked with epoxy before are hesitant to recoat over an old layer of epoxy, but they shouldn’t be.
Epoxy is easy to sand, so it’s possible to sand down the old layer and then recoat. This can save money and time over removing and replacing the epoxy or having a professional do it for you.
Plus, if you know how to fix your mistake yourself, you’ll get a sense of accomplishment as well as an opportunity to learn more about working with epoxy.
To sand:
- Make sure you have enough ventilation in your workspace
- Use a dust mask
- Start by using 60-grit sandpaper with a power sander
- After that, use 80-grit, 100-grit, 120-grit, and 150-grit
- Wipe away any dust after each sanding session
To recoat:
- Read the instructions on the label carefully before mixing the epoxy again
- Stir thoroughly (and mix different colors if desired)
- Pour evenly onto floor or other surfaces
- Level out any bubbles with a squeegee or propane torch (be careful!)
Why is my epoxy bumpy?
This is a great question, and there are a few reasons why this may happen. Sometimes the problem lies in the application technique, sometimes it’s due to an issue with the epoxy itself, and sometimes it’s an issue that lies somewhere in between.
If your epoxy is bumpy because of air bubbles or dust particles still lingering on the surface after you’ve applied it, you can use a heat gun or torch to make them rise to the top and pop.
The fumes coming off of your epoxy will be toxic so you should also wear a respirator mask when doing this. If you don’t have access to those things, try using compressed air to blow over the surface until all of the bumps are gone.
A third option for getting rid of bumps is to actually apply another layer of epoxy overtop! This can be done as long as the original layer has cured completely (the curing time will depend on exactly what kind of epoxy you’re using) and isn’t too thick.
You’ll need a minimum amount of thickness for this remedy to work best—if there’s too little to hold down your brush or roller bristles, they can end up making more bubbles as they push through what’s underneath.
Conclusion
If you’ve removed any textured coatings or non-epoxy residue and find that there’s still more of an odor than expected, try testing whether the source might be coming from a source other than the floor. When dry and undamaged, epoxy isn’t usually very smelly. Again though, if you do decide to remove it, do so safely!
