Epoxy is a versatile and durable substance, but it can be tricky to work with. You need to know the right techniques and the right thickness to pour. Too thick, and it will not cure properly. Too thin, and it will not adhere to your surface.
How thick can epoxy be poured?
The first thing to realize is that epoxy pouring thickness has nothing to do with the volume you pour. It’s actually related to the weight of what you’re pouring. For example, if you were making regular-strength epoxy (2:1 mix ratio), it would take one gallon of resin and one gallon of hardener to make five gallons total.
If you were using low-viscosity (LV) resin, which is thinner than standard epoxies and therefore weighs less per gallon, it would take more LV resin than standard resin plus hardener to fill the same space in your container.
When it comes down to it: thicker epoxy means more LV resin; thinner means less LV resins that are present in your mix ratio.
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Why is my epoxy too thick?
There are a number of reasons why your epoxy may be too thick, including:
- Too much hardener (the catalyst that activates the resin)
- Too much resin (the glue)
- Too much pigment (for example, if you added too much glitter or powder to your batch)
- Too much alcohol (some types of epoxy will thicken in alcohol)
Does thicker epoxy take longer to cure?
You may be surprised to find out that thicker epoxy takes longer to cure. This is because of a phenomenon called “thermal lag”.
Thermal lag is the delay between heat being applied and the epoxy is able to absorb it. The lower the viscosity (thickness) of your epoxy, the more quickly it can absorb heat and begin curing. In other words, thinner coats don’t have as much thermal mass as thicker ones do; therefore they cure faster!
How long do deep pours of epoxy take to cure?
While most epoxies will cure in 24 to 72 hours, some take longer. Epoxy that’s slightly thicker will take longer to cure. This is why it’s important to keep your pour as thin as possible for the best results—you’ll get a much quicker cure time and a stronger bond between the two pieces of glass you’re working with.
If your epoxy appears thick or gloppy after mixing, don’t panic! You can adjust this by adding more hardener and/or thinner until it reaches the consistency of honey.
Can I pour epoxy over epoxy?
You can pour epoxy over an existing layer of cured epoxy, but it is not always recommended. Pouring epoxy on top of the first layer is called layering and differs from pouring a second coat because the first coat must cure before the second is applied.
The main side effect of layering is that you won’t get as smooth a finish as if you had used one thick coat instead of two thin ones.
Another way to think about this process is like painting a wall: You want to apply multiple thin coats instead of one thick layer so that each individual layer has time to dry properly before applying another (and avoid smearing or splashing).
How thin can you pour deep pour epoxy?
You can pour a deep-pour epoxy floor as thin as 1/8 of an inch. This is great because you’ll save money, time, and effort!
Thinner layers will cure faster, so you can move on to the next step sooner. Plus, this will help you avoid sanding bubbles out of your epoxy floor after it’s been poured.
How thick should resin be?
As a general rule of thumb, you should aim for a 1/8-inch pour when working with epoxy. This is because the thicker your pour, the longer it takes to cure. If you want an even faster cure time and don’t mind working with a less vibrant color palette, then thinner pours are right up your alley.
For those who want to experiment with different thicknesses and see what works best for them without having to worry about lower quality products or wasted time (and money), there are some products that allow for thicker pours—but they do cost more than standard resin. For example: [product link]
How thick can you pour table top epoxy?
It depends on the product. It’s important to read the instructions before pouring a table top epoxy and make sure that you’re not exceeding its recommended thickness. Most products recommend a maximum of 1/2 inch, but some can be poured up to 2 inches deep and others have no maximum depth (but will be more expensive).
If you want to go bigger than two inches, it’s best to consult with whoever designed your table first so that they can help you determine if it’s possible and get an idea of how much epoxy will be required.
- Pour as thick as possible without going over the recommended amount
- If there is no maximum recommendation for pouring thicknesses then use whatever size container works best for filling in any imperfections in your surface
Conclusion
It’s always a good idea to monitor your epoxy as it’s curing and wait until it is completely cured before handling. The longer you wait, the more likely it is that the epoxy won’t be tacky anymore and won’t stick to itself.
If you’re concerned about getting bubbles on your surface, try pouring the epoxy over a piece of cardboard or plastic wrap so they can collect on the bottom instead of being trapped on top.
If you’ve poured too thickly, try using an old credit card or something similar (a thin piece of wood would work as well) to scratch off some of the wet layer so that there are channels for air to move through without damaging the surface underneath.
