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PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
HOW-TO:
Mixing:
Tips:
FAQs
Q. What is the coverage area of the various kit sizes?
400/21 Counter Top Epoxy Coverage Estimate Chart (Square feet)
Q. I see that some bar top resins are 1:1 mix, and others are 2:1 mixes. What is the difference? A. The mix ratio of this epoxy system is 2:1. Most epoxy glues are 1:1 mix because they use a different hardener called a polyamide.
Q. I’d like to embed bottlecaps, baseball cards, photographs or posters in my countertop. Is this possible? A. Yes, people do that all the time. Do not put anything irreplaceable in epoxy because you will never be able to remove that item. We strongly recommend doing a small test to ensure the end look is what you desire before applying the material to your full project.
Q. How thick should I make a countertop or bar top? A. We generally recommend 1/8 of an inch. That is typical of what you will see in a restaurant or bar. Keep in mind that doubling the thickness will double the cost of your project. The maximum thickness poured at one time that we recommend is 3/8″. This is because the epoxy generates heat in order to cure- the thicker the pour the greater the heat.
Q. How big a batch should I mix at one time? A. The first few batches should be small, about a quart, so that you learn how to use the epoxy. After you get the hang of using the epoxy, you can mix up to a gallon at a time.
Q. Can I pour additional layers over a cured layer? A. Yes. There is generally no prep required between coats when pouring a table top. You must wait at least 12 hours before pouring the next coat. Make sure to keep all dust and debris off the epoxy while it is curing. If the project has sat for 2 weeks or longer we recommend a light sand and cleaning with denatured alcohol or acetone.
Q. How do I handle the edges? A. This can be tricky, depending on what effect you are trying to accomplish. In order to avoid trapping air bubbles, an epoxy coating needs to be quite thin. Otherwise, any air trapped in the mix will not rise and escape to the surface- So if you need to pour a thick countertop then you may need to build a dam around the top, then remove the dam. Most pros use formica to create the dam, and use wax as a release agent. Alternately, a wood strip can be used as the dam and left in place. A third method is just to brush, roll, or pour several layers onto the countertop and let the excess run off- but this can take several coats if you are trying to build up a lot of thickness. You can cut the drips off from under the table before the epoxy has fully cured to make it easier to sand down later.
Q. Will I need more epoxy if my surface is porous? A. Yes. You may need to increase the amount of epoxy you buy in order to get the coverage you desire. Factor in about one and a half times additional epoxy to the quantity you would order from the coverage chart. This is just an estimate.
Q. Is this epoxy UV (sunlight) resistant? A. This epoxy is more UV resistant than most because it is a cylcoaliphatic system, but it is not totally UV resistant and should not be used in direct sunlight without being covered with a protective coating of UV resistant varnish.
Q. Does it matter whether I apply AeroMarine Bar Top Epoxy over a water-based or an oil-based stain? A. Yes. Apply AeroMarine Products Bar Top Epoxy over a water-based stain. Wait 48 hours until the water-based stain has cured. Then, apply a thin priming coat of AeroMarine Products Bar Top Epoxy. **Avoid using any oil-based stain because the epoxy will not bond to it. If you already have an oil-based stain on your bar top, please call us for technical guidance before applying any epoxy.** Q. How much heat can this epoxy take? A. About 225F. Never put a hot pan or skillet from the stove directly onto the epoxy.
Q. I’ve read on other sites that you should use a torch or a heat gun to break air bubbles. What do you recommend? A. We only recommend using a heat gun to break air bubbles. A torch may cause waves in the surface because the higher heat can cause the epoxy to cure faster. In this case, “if a little is good, then a lot is better” doesn’t apply here.
Q. Can I thicken this epoxy by adding more hardener? A. No! More hardener will not thicken it. Use a filler like microspheres or fumed silica to thicken this epoxy to your desired consistency.
Q. How do I remove bumps/smooth out the surface of epoxy on the bar top? A. 1.) Let the epoxy cure for at least 72 hours at 70F. 2.) Use a sander with 60 to 80 grit sandpaper and sand the cured epoxy just below the desired surface level. 3.) Pour a 1/8″ coat of epoxy over the sanded cured epoxy.
Q. What do I use for clean-up? A. For minor spills, use denatured alcohol. For cleaning hands, we recommend “Fast Orange”.
Q. Do you have any other tips? A. You must keep all dust off your counter top for the first 18 hours after the pour. It’s a good idea to close off the room for the day to prevent dust from settling on the countertop.
Technical Data Sheets (TDS)
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