How To Make A Fireplace Mantel Using Epoxy Resin | DIY Woodworking

In this video, Steve & Aram take you through the ENTIRE process for creating this stunningly beautiful fireplace mantel for a local client in Santa Fe, NM. We started off by creating a custom mold based on the clients' requests, then layering the first layer of Deep Pour by Upstart Epoxy. We used a sparkling white pigment, dark brown, and light gray pigment in order to create a color combination that would match her home! After pouring all 3 buckets of Epoxy Resin we could then mix them together and prepare for the next step. This is a little-known strategy to create a "suspended ribbon" effect by layering our initial pour with a layer of tabletop Epoxy. Once the consistency of this second layer began to reach that of peanut butter, we were able to add in a subtle but powerful layer of white epoxy. Mixing it in gradually and on the perimeter of the piece we were able to create the layered suspended ribbon effect. Once this had solidified in the second layer of tabletop epoxy resin we were ready to sand it down and prepare it for the final flood coat. After sanding down the piece and routing the edges we were ready to cut out the holes for the bar that would support the fireplace mantel above the fireplace. We demonstrate this process in the video. After cutting the necessary holes we flooded the top of the piece with another layer of Table Top Epoxy by Upstart Epoxy. This really allowed this piece to pop! We then let the piece cure and prepared it for the underside finishing. We chose to use a gray color in combination with the Table Top to seal it in order to match the home. Once this finished curing, we were all finished! What do you think? We are super happy with how this one came out.
Do you enjoy the long-form content walking you through our process? Or do you prefer the shorter form content? Please let us know so we can make this a more enjoyable experience for you. Thanks!
- Steve & Aram
Refined Nature of Santa Fe is an epoxy woodworking studio based in Santa Fe, New Mexico. We created this KZbin channel to share our work with the world so you can learn with us!
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[@refinednatureofsantafe]

This was one of our favorites! What do you think? Let us know what you’d like see next! 😊

[@tedkavakos1778]

Wow! Incredible

[@edwardbecerra4782]

Excelente trabajo quiero aprender amigo

[@Jjftbb]

That was awesome. Truly it is great to hear someone who loves their work and makes works of art.

[@refinednatureofsantafe]

Thank you soo much! :)

[@alongcameawolf5638]

This is friggin amazing. You guys are inspiring me to start doing this on my own. Thank you 💖 keep up the amazing work

[@twsbrl2xlldmoney355]

How about you don’t

[@refinednatureofsantafe]

You can do it!

[@user-yb6hj9pt1o]

I think I'm going to make an attempt I'm doing stone now and I'm not sure if I'm skilled enough to handle the two different jobs at 0oce

[@joseceja8908]

Speechless!!! Great job guys!!!

[@refinednatureofsantafe]

Thank you so much!!👍🏼🙏

[@ltimbanc]

Looks amazing Steve!! Killing it! Miss watching the progress on Instagram but I’ll be back 😅

[@refinednatureofsantafe]

Thanks Lisa!!! Easter is right around the corner!

[@jamiemallery981]

So BEAUTIFUL 😍

[@refinednatureofsantafe]

Thank you Jamie! :)

[@juanggreen]

Looks great!

[@refinednatureofsantafe]

Thank you kind sir 🙏🙏

[@rodrigoortega6635]

Wowww

[@WillowX5]

How does the heat from fireplace not soften the epoxy resin?

[@twsbrl2xlldmoney355]

Good point and he doesn’t have an answer 🤣🤣

[@adamhafner4772]

The mantel looks amazing! One question, I considered coating a mantel with table top epoxy but have read that the max exposed temperature is 135 degrees. My mantel gets very hot when I've got a fire blazing. I've done some research and expected mantel temperatures can reach 187-192°F! Will Upstart epoxy handle these high temperature without issue?

[@refinednatureofsantafe]

Not entirely sure, to be honest! The closer you have the fireplace mantel to the actual fire, the less likely it will survive 😅

[@zayraa.5213]

This is awesome! ❤❤❤ my question is, can you epoxy the whole fireplace wall? Like as a accent wall? Or with time (sun exposure) will it start to fade?

[@refinednatureofsantafe]

Yes you can! With outdoor sun exposure it will eventually begin to yellow and crack depending on how you protect it. We always recommend keeping it out of direct sunlight but in the event you let the sun start to do its thing you can very easily restore any project that has a flood coat of epoxy! Check out our latest video to see how to do it. :)

[@twsbrl2xlldmoney355]

Water popped the grain ??? For a mantle ??