Jaelyn Rae asked 3 years ago
Hi there! Â
I am planning to make a faux stone countertop using epoxy resin over oak plywood, however I had some issues with my practice piece. There were a few low spots/valleys and one area that looked like the orange peel effect you get when improperly spraying spray paint, with lots of little dents and an overall bumpy texture across a 5-8″ area. I used a heat gun to remove bubbles and all was well and smooth when I left it to cure. However when I checked an hour later there were the low spots and the rough patch. Â
I tried searching YouTube and the internet in general and didn’t find anything useful, so perhaps it’s called something different when this happens?
Also, can I add a few layers of shellac or something else on top to really give it a durable finish? I’ve seen several youtube vids where they wished they had never done their countertops because the resin was prone to staining. I definitely want to do everything possible to make it durable, as my busy/chaotic household is not careful/gentle by any means! If real stone was in the budget, that would be my first option, followed by concrete. ????
Any advice would be greatly appreciated! I would like to get it worked out before attempting to do my countertops, but I am also in a bit of a time crunch to get it finished…of course. Always the procrastinator! ????
Thanks in advance!Â
William Stewart Staff answered 3 years ago
Hey Jaelyn.
First of all, it is always a good idea to check the surface for any imperfections or any bumps, dents, and cracks before applying epoxy and filling the low spots with filler if possible.
Generally, before applying epoxy over plywood for a faux stone countertop, it is best practice to use 1 or even 2 coats of primer like this: https://leggari.com/product/counter-wb-primer/.
This way you will remove any imperfections in the wood and have a good surface for epoxy resin. Epoxy generates heat during its curing process, and chemically it becomes less viscous, so if your surface is not primed well or has low spots and cracks, epoxy will tend to go towards the lower surface due to gravity.
To maintain the epoxy resin surface in its best shape and make it as durable as possible use, Murphy’s Oil conservatively for weekly or monthly cleaning. You can use the one in the link.
Avoid using too much of it, as it’ll cause the surface to go dull and hazy. In the event of a significant spill, use acetone or paint thinner to clean the surface and ensure that the surface is super clean and safe for future use.
I would also avoid using shellac if possible because it will not stick to the epoxy that well if you are really adamant about using it, but it is more hassle than its worth as Murphy’s Oil will do the job splendidly. Most non-abrasive household cleaners mixed with some mild dish soap and water will do the trick for most epoxy resin countertops. You have to remember that nothing beats good care of the things we make.