A flood coat is a thin layer of epoxy resin that you pour onto your woodworking project to protect it from water and wear. Flood coats are an important step in many wood finishing processes because they seal out moisture and help prevent the wood from warping over time.
The most common use of a flood coat is on tabletops, where the coating will be exposed to both low-level damage like spills and high-level damage like hot pans placed directly on the surface. A flood coat also makes for a great base layer for other finishes, but it can also be left on its own for a beautiful, simple look.
How is epoxy flood coat calculated?
Let’s start by defining two key terms.
A flood coat is the final layer of epoxy that you pour over the surface of a project. You use it to fill any smaller voids or dips in the surface and make sure everything is level.
Epoxy art, also called resin art, is a decorative technique that involves pouring epoxy on top of other materials like wood and glass in order to create interesting designs and patterns. Because epoxy has a thick consistency, it can encapsulate other materials or coat them entirely, helping you create unique works of art.
Now that we’ve defined these fundamental concepts, let’s talk about how to calculate an epoxy flood coat on your own!
Table of Contents
- How is epoxy flood coat calculated?
- How do I calculate how much epoxy I need?
- How many square feet will 1 gallon of epoxy cover?
- Can you use deep pour epoxy for a flood coat?
- How much epoxy do I need for river table?
- How many gallons of resin does a river table hold?
- How much resin and hardener do I mix?
- How much does 16 oz of resin cover?
How do I calculate how much epoxy I need?
Before you mix any epoxy, you need to calculate how much you’ll need for your flood coat. Here are some tips for calculating the amount of epoxy you’ll need for a flood coat:
- Using the right mixing ratio is crucial. Be sure to measure out an accurate amount of resin and hardener before pouring the mixture.
- Use the right tools to accomplish this task. A scale will help ensure that both components are measured accurately, and a pre-measured container like a measuring cup will ensure that you don’t use more than what’s necessary. Once this is done, pour each component into separate containers so they can be mixed together evenly (without clumps or uneven spots).
- Mixing at least two parts of hardener per one part of resin ensures that there’s enough material on hand to complete your project with minimal waste from overuse or spillage during step four below!
How many square feet will 1 gallon of epoxy cover?
1 Gallon of clear epoxy resin should cover about 12 sq ft at a depth of 1/8″ thick. It will get you around 6 sq ft at 1/4″ thick. And 3 sq ft at a thickness of 1/2″.
Can you use deep pour epoxy for a flood coat?
It is possible, but you will need to mix it up with thinner and pour it on.
Dilute 3:1 with Xylene.
The depth should be 1/8″.
You can use a roller or dauber to spread the epoxy.
Pour coats are the best way to create a clear surface because the layer is self leveling.
How much epoxy do I need for river table?
Before you begin, it’s important to know how many coats of epoxy you need to cover your table. This might seem like a simple thing, but the amount of epoxy required for your project will vary based on several factors: whether you’re using the epoxy for a flood coat or other application, what kind of wood you’re using and how large your table is.
Fortunately, there are some simple formulas that can help you determine how much epoxy resin you need to finish your project without running out before it’s complete.
How many gallons of resin does a river table hold?
There are a few ways to calculate this, but the easiest is to multiply your length times width and divide by 231. This will give you the volume of resin in gallons.
For example, if your wood slab is 36” x 20” and ¾” thick, the formula would look like this: 36 x 20 = 720 divided by 231 = 3.11 gallons of epoxy needed for your pour. You may want to round up a half gallon just to be sure you’re absolutely covered with all that needs to be sealed.
If you need help with math or have any questions, feel free to contact our customer service team at warren@alumilite.com or 1-877-387-4568 ext 1101 between 8:30am – 5pm EST Monday through Friday.
How much resin and hardener do I mix?
The simplest rule is to use a 2:1 ratio of resin to hardener. If you want to achieve an even color, be sure that all of the resin is completely mixed in with the hardener before pouring it onto your project. This can be accomplished using an electric mixer.
Make sure not to mix more than you can use in one hour. A mixture that sits for a long time will have a shorter working life once it’s poured and could generate excess heat or begin curing prematurely, which could result in surface bubbles when you pour it, or other cosmetic issues later on.
This doesn’t mean that if you’re making a small batch of epoxy that you should only mix small amounts at a time it means that if you’re mixing enough epoxy to cover your entire project (e.g., countertop), then make it all at once and mix thoroughly using an electric mixer until all traces of yellow are gone and the mixture is clear and uniform.
How much does 16 oz of resin cover?
16 oz of resin will cover a surface area of about 15 square feet. However, it is important to note that this number can vary greatly depending on the type of resin you are using, the thickness of your flood coat, and the size and shape of your project.
Conclusion
A flood coat is a resin and hardener mix where you pour enough liquid to form a layer over the surface at hand. The thickness of the layer can be anywhere from 1/16” to several inches.
In order to calculate how much epoxy is needed for your flood coat, you have to use the formula: