poor choices, disappointing results (a how-not-to guide)

This week I attempt my epoxy countertop makeover. Spoiler: it goes badly.
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[@grahamselby3246]

Winston Churchill once said that the secret to success was going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm.

[@timphillips8966]

Your epoxy is reacting with the paint, which is causing the yellowing. I used Famowood (avail at Home Depot & Lowe's) on my bar top and it worked perfectly. Gotta mix it to recommendations tho (time).

[@michelle14749]

The terrazzo kitchen counter looks really nice. You have worked so hard on this bus and it's paying off. The electrical system alone is no mean feat and you did it on your own, you should be very proud of yourself, I am in awe. I can't even put a nail on the wall without making a big mess.

[@dougintothesunset]

You have no idea how much your videos are guiding my decision making as I do research and planning for my build. That's both the good choices and the not-so-good ones BTW. Thank you for sharing Emma! 🙂

[@EmmaBuildsBirbie]

so glad to hear it!

[@dougintothesunset]

@@EmmaBuildsBirbie I also enjoy the singing . . .

[@michaelmitten2977]

Just keep swimming! Just keep swimming! And sing more too. That was a highlight to me in this video. You really inspire us with all your projects you take on. Count me as one fan who is very proud of you.

[@stevengregory8686]

Emma, all in all, you're still the singing princess. Keep it going!!!!

[@jeffreythomas9106]

Hey Emma. You are doing a great job frustrations along the way are always a possibility but don’t let them get the best of you. Just keep your eyes open and everything will work out. Love you and your videos 💐💛💐💛💐💛💐💛

[@Scrambler85]

I'm impressed that you video both your success and failures. I've watched hundreds of van builds, and most of them portray everything perfect every time. Definitely a thumbs up for your honesty 👍

[@rocketscientist007]

Sorry Emma. You didn't follow all the instructions that Total Boat provides on their website. You didn't put plastic packing tape around the table edges to form a dam. You didn't use a brush to apply a thin seal coat of epoxy. After the seal coat sets, pour the first flood coat up to 1/4″ thick.

[@stephennowicki7158]

Oh my! I don't think I would have stayed as calm as you did. But with your attitude you will get it done.

[@michaelirizarry5037]

finally getting my friday fix of emma and birbie. the tops will be amazing. you will get em perfect when you fix them or redo them. i have faith in you emma.💖

[@darbybell8684]

I really think you’re doing a great job with your build and channel!! You remind me of the old “I Love Lucy” show😁 There’s a little bit of song and dance, a haphazard plot and in the end triumphant and endearing❤️

[@AdamHinckley]

you are doing really well with it, don't let you down tho, do your best with it

[@jasonjones5213]

I don't know if it's determination or being stubborn.But you get stuff done.I think they'll look great.

[@norm5785]

Looks nice. Love the flakes also. Thank you for sharing your wonderful progress on the countertop. Stay warm, safe, happy and healthy. From Henrico County Virginia

[@rickthompson8122]

Like my build... every setback is opportunity for comeback. You're bus is amazing.

[@nightthunderadventures]

I would have cried! 😭😭😭 You’re doing a great job pushing through!!

[@ribbleslipscomb5171]

Oh my, Emma. I hope you can salvage your project. You worked ao hard on it. If not, I know you will figure it out. Any way, I love the idea you are going for, very unique.

[@mythicalnomadadventure969]

I know drying coats of coatings takes so many days. I used 5 coats of Rust-Oleum on my counter. Thought the warranty on the van would expire befor it dried.☹️

[@francoisg1393]

I'm 100% here for the singing. Well, 80% for you and your personality, 15% for the singing, and 5% for the bus, at this point. And I looove the bus, so imagine how much I enjoy the rest. This video felt kinda asmr-ish. Very relaxing. Until the 25th minute, that is... Sorry it didn't turn out the way you wanted it to.

[@hotmalm]

🤢🤮

[@chrislaplante5040]

Putting that edge one where you needed more clamps would have been a really good use of the biscuit joiner you mentioned. Less clamps needed, they would have held the flex of the wood and self aligned things.

[@chaosplan]

Or pocket holes.

[@G58]

Oh Emma, if you had me on speed dial we could solve your little problems in seconds. But I probably wouldn’t get anything done myself. There are two very easy ways to improvise clamping stuff together without clamps. 1. Folding Wedges Lengths of 3” x 2” with blocks of 3” x 2” screwed on to the 2” edge about 1/2” further apart than the parts you’re clamping. Then you make two shallow wedges and place them in opposite directions between one of the blocks and the work edge, and knock them together until they clamp the work. Simple. 2. The Rope Trick You place scrap wood on each clamping edge, then wrap a rope around twice and tie the two ends together using a proper knot, securing a 12” long piece of 3/4” dowel (or similar) in another knot. Next you wind up the rope using the dowel until the glue oozes out. Then you tuck the end of the dowel under the rope and put something heavy on it. When you make it to Europe you owe me a drink. Peace 👀🧐😎😜🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@nisar8009]

You shouldn’t mix epoxy in the cold. It needs to be warm when you mix and pour it. You also need to use the right kind of epoxy for each project. There are different types. Also, paint needs a long time to cure completely. At least a few weeks.

[@justplaintommy63]

When you stopped, looked at the camera and said, I'm doing such a bad job, you became my new spirit animal. I do that same thing and I don't record myself. lol. When you filmed the counter top in front of the window, I couldn't see any yellow. When you filmed it from the side, I could see some yellow. But I then noticed the windows in the room have yellow trim. Perhaps it's just a lighting thing? Sorry your first Epoxy pour didn't go so well, but I've never seen one that did on the first try. You'll get it ;)

[@madalineg7560]

I have faith in you Emma! I know you'll figure out what are going to do. You have been such an inspiration to me! You show me that doing this, starting a bus conversion, is not as scary as it seems. Your hard work, resilience, and humor have really inspired me. I'm so glad I found your channel almost 2 years ago now. I finally have a bus of my own and I'm starting the demo tomorrow!

[@EmmaBuildsBirbie]

omg good luck!

[@madalineg7560]

@@EmmaBuildsBirbie Thanks! Started on taking down the ceiling panels today, I really hate stripped screws lol

[@EmmaBuildsBirbie]

@@madalineg7560 i'm with you there 😭

[@HOODS]

This is sad. It looked so good. I'm definitely feeling your frustration on this one. Cause I've been there. Just on a 5k sqft. Floor job though. My mix guy wasn't mixing well at all. Complete disaster and a month of removal. Just to start over again so glad I wasn't the one paying for the epoxy.

[@hgj2019]

Great work Emma! I admire your determination and creativity. The first epoxy attempt was a little disappointing,but you clearly gained knowledge and insight from that experiment. Regroup,form a new strategy,and do what you do best - hit the next attempt with your characteristic vigor, enthusiasm, and determination. Don’t let yourself get discouraged! You are doing really,really well. Even if you have to start over from square one you have only gained from this, and your next effort will only be better! If you use any more epoxy get the bottles nice and pre-warmed and they will pour and mix more easily. “Heat soak” the unmixed components in a warm space for a few days. Remember, with all catalyzed products,like epoxy,they don’t “dry” they cure and chemically cross-link. Heat is very important to that process,so you might even try to have the cure room a little WARMER to insure temp consistency. (Mixed Epoxy can actually be stored in a refrigerator to slow the cure process for a limited time.) Could you possibly list the products you used by brand? It would be great to have that info, especially on the epoxy and base coat you used.

[@hayneshvac2]

In the future if ever you need to butt two pieces of wood in such a manor, you may consider drilling adjacent holes in both pieces and inserting dowels to prevent uneven joining.

[@jameswright9289]

Emma, that is so beautiful, I hope it turns out good

[@MusicDad0623]

Hey we all got to start somewhere! Hang in there!

[@anthonyescobar3301]

I love your Berbie channel. Sorry to see that your project countertop didn't work out. I would have used a drill attachment mixer...it's like $10 at Home Depot. And about your sprinkles for the counter top..I've seen ppl mix it right into the epoxy while mixing it. And you can sprinkle some after.

[@EmmaBuildsBirbie]

the instructions say not to use those mixing things :/

[@hgj2019]

@@EmmaBuildsBirbie too easy to inject air with such rapid agitation. Better to just have liquids warm first, then just stir, stir, stir.

[@CharlesLangSamuel]

My grandfather was a carpenter, and when I was a young child, I took a saw in his shop and cut into a piece of wood. I didn’t know that this piece of wood was the top of a school desk he was refinishing to give to me as a gift. He finished the desk perfectly but left the big cut I had made in it, right at the front middle, without filling it or fixing it in any way. I still have the desk and think about it from time to time, always learning a new lesson, without ever sitting at it as a school desk.

[@bretthibbs6083]

Emma I think you should just go to home depot or lowes and get a remenant countertop or even Menards if they have one there. I thought about making a countertop to use as a desk like you and I figured all the costs between the board and other materials that it was cheaper to buy a remenant instead going through all the work. Don't get me wrong I thought your counter tops looked great and I think I would have used like a poly instead of epoxy instead I think you can get food grade polyurethane.

[@robinhoward4204]

Good advice, I've seen this used by many renovators when restoring old timber countertops.

[@hgj2019]

I don’t completely disagree with you Bret, but that would be analogous to going to an RV dealer and buying a complete RV ready to go. Emma seems to want to inject her own creativity into the project and make a uniquely appointed home for herself. I admire her for that.

[@bretthibbs6083]

@@hgj2019 oh I agree and I know she wants to do that and I'm proud of her for doing so I was just trying to make it easier on her cause she seems to be really upset which understandable. I can see that she is determined but at the same time also discouraged in some of the things that she is doing and also frustrated too.

[@hgj2019]

@@bretthibbs6083 of course,we both know your point is valid. I’m actually doing a cargo trailer conversion for myself,weighing whether to try a fancy epoxy countertop like this or just use Formica. MY reality is that I will very likely use Formica or a preformed top like what you have described, but I’m a crusty old guy who might be at least a LITTLE TIRED of experimenting, and I probably have less net time remaining than this bright young lady.👴🏻

[@grande1184]

You don’t get anywhere by quitting. This is a strong and determined woman. She’ll get there by trial and error but get there she will.

[@manfredfritz6068]

7:59 to stir paint I always break a loop piece off of a plastic hanger and put in on a power drill, I don't even clean the stir, I just throw it away and make a new one with channel pliers new time

[@michelle14749]

I keep sharing your videos to boost new followers, you deserve a huge following.

[@BillySBC]

I think we could have picked a formica that we were happy with and just glued it on with contact cement and finished the edges the way the countertop guys do it. They used to sell the stuff in 4x8 sheets at Home Depot.

[@gore1978]

life is like a photograph, you take the negative and develop from that. We are not all born to have every skillset built into us and we all learn from getting our hands dirty and learning from our mistakes and successes

[@StoneUFO]

When I did my counter I totally fucked one side I end up flipping it over and finishing it a totally different way. I love it now

[@jereschweitzer9195]

Your counters are going to look good once you get it all figured out I think they're going to look awesome I like it

[@robned2442]

There r Highs, and Lows. Victories, and Defeats. Learning lessons, from Defeats. Means success, for the future. I like ur nephew, how he made a definite 'No' . When u ask, if he was there to help. Just being a curious boy!

[@stevegillingham4781]

Trial and error hun. You got this

[@kannieschrijfnie2042]

I was waiting for the next episode which luckily came before I went to bed. You’re not having a lot of luck with this project but you certainly don’t lack determination to finish this job as it should. You’re btw a natural for creating videos because you’re very entertaining to watch. It is the highlight in my week for sure. Thank you for being you Emma, have great succes with your countertops. PS also succes for the US soccer team at the WC. Though I sure hope we’ll win the game 😉🇳🇱

[@jamesorendorff2731]

Love you love your determination My father used to always say Do it once...do it right Measure twice..cus once

[@natemalnaa1]

2:34 excellent song 🎵 lol

[@Tycoon_Panda]

Leave it like that it look perfect 🎉

[@ernestbrothers1298]

Emma, listen closely. If you did not like it then redo it. But you did it,on your own. Don't criticize your trying. But do remember it is custom ,unique to you one of a kind that you did. No other will be like it ever. Imperfections are character. You can lite sand, but once you break bond with rest it means start over.

[@sharonsmith9478]

Bless your heart anyway i know you got this girl you will get it

[@keithburkett9448]

Great Video Emma 👍

[@candilc]

So... Where's the Birbie soundtrack? Sorry the epoxy didn't turn out. It's usually really good or really bad... Never in between, IMO... I'm sure second time around will turn out great tho. When i work with it it, if i mix to much at once, it starts heating up, turning yellow, all that. So i mix small batches. Then if one gets funky... Discard it!

[@kopenhagenkid]

Beautiful voice Emma

[@carls4552]

Emma, I love your videos and wait for them to come out every week. I love the trials and tribulations you go thru. Sometimes I feel bad for you though, like today. There's a carpenter saying 'measure twice, cut once'. You really need to apply this to everything you do, not just cutting. You need to ensure you've thoroughly mixed your paints and epoxies, before applying them. You need to always measure the ingredients. Mistakes will happen, but some you can ensure don't. Good luck fixing that counter, hope it doesn't take too much effort and money.

[@michaelbrausch8874]

Pocket screws!!!

[@jdsquared]

I have to pause for a minute. Keep watching and everything is looking good, so I am stressing myself about when things turn bad. At about 9 minutes, watching you dip a roller into a can, I was thinking "why not pour some out and roll it". Which you do, later in the video. Then you were talking about getting one more clamp and I thought, "You need more than one more" and you got two. So I am still waiting for the shoe to drop, because everything you are doing (plastic on the floor, as another example) are professional practices, which you did not have a year ago. I am sorry, I guess, things go wrong later in this video, I may or may not comment again, but whatever it is, your second bus build (haha right!) will be damn near perfect.

[@shanefagan9642]

Was the yellowing the reflection from the window frames

[@Snipedog1978]

If you need help with total boat products there is a other you tuber who uses that stuff by the gallons and seems to know everything about it her name is Xyla Foxlin if she can’t figure how to address an issue with total boat or how to work around the issue

[@Tycoon_Panda]

Nifty artwork though

[@Childplz2221]

It's too cold and add more hardener to the mix next time to dry quick

[@donb6474]

Primer sticks to the wood. Paint sticks to the primer.

[@Buses2Bikes]

::::blinks::: I don't know where to start. Hell..I don't even know HOW to start with this one.

[@monicafelton2088]

Why did you do that te yellow is from the window wow

[@kevink4914]

Not sure what apoxy brand you use could be the problem. As well as apoxy has only like 1 hour or less workability. Also a flash time between coats to get proper cure.

[@r8edrv4fun65]

Did you go cheap on anything?

[@mathuelee2686]

Next time use half and half that way you don't have to move so fast and concentrate on just one counter top

[@chrisking5355]

it looked ok until we saw the problems so you are almost there... next time/ project experiment with some scrap so that you have better technique and preparation for the real job.. you'll get there!

[@ammocandoit]

Salt bae!!

[@yvonnev.bradley9660]

It was not dry. It needs to dry more

[@edrosa5079]

2 days

[@punjabseth260]

🌼🌼🌼👌👌🏻

[@chasein7019]

You should just rename all your videos and channel name to "A how-not-to guide by Emma"

[@AB-C1]

Shame it didn't work out, measurements have to be EXACT and also make sure the paint and epoxy are compatible.. it's like car paints if the base and clear aren't compatible they bubble and peel.. same with paint and epoxy.. Hope this helps. Always be precise when mixing paint glues filler epoxy anything that requires ratios.. also ALWAYS mix well maybe use a paint paddle on a drill, that might help get it thoroughly mixed, better to mix a bit longer than not long enough (within reason dont put bubbles in it or take too long but make sure it's well mixed).. Anyhow it was a good effort and looked good other than it reacted! Better luck 2nd time around and it should look great! Have a great week Emma! Cheers from London 👍😎🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇬🇧

[@ageguy5090]

[@moses777exodus]

Hi Emma, Wishing you Happy Holidays. Thanks for sharing 🙏🙏🙏Much Blessings to you. ✝Lord-Jesus-Christ dot 🙏c🙏o🙏m

[@gumbysenduro6546]

🦘

[@stregaone4471]

💖💖💖💖

[@andydroid2413]

Don't lose Hart even if you have to scrap the idea in the end. I admire you for trying. I would try some small samples next time, make sure everything works together.

[@IAM...1111...]

🥸

[@brockvagis1657]

You really do awesome work you get better with every project and I know about living way out in the middle of nowhere I live a half hour from anything but your videos are so great so much fun to watch ☺️

[@maryellencook9528]

You'll figure it out. If nothing else you will know what doesn't work.

[@fireisle]

I feel your pain, but there is lots of good advice here in the comments.

[@kopenhagenkid]

Great video Emma

[@keironastbury9399]

That's what I love about you Emma, you don't give up.

[@TimTamSlammm]

“Lost in the Woods” is a total jam!

[@davidroberts5577]

Looks good , I hope it turns out and you are happy with it... You are amazing young lady. Namaste 🕉️

[@MKDSime]

😕bummer so much work and time spent, on camera it looked good, if you try sanding the epoxy again try wet sanding so the epoxy doesnt start to melt. Wishing you luck for the next pour 🤞

[@HOODS]

Scuff the paint with steel wool or 220 sandpaper before epoxy. Mix epoxy well and don't I repeat don't scrape the sides of the mixing bucket while pouring.

[@skudwoofer]

Make your own clamp out of the wood you have lying around.... just use a board with some screwed or glued stops and a few wedges....

[@charlottelarsson8039]

This video and the setbacks remind me SO much of when I was building out my camper last year. The process of things not working out - so incredibly frustrating. However, I admire how well you seem to handle it!

[@EmmaBuildsBirbie]

I’ve just accepted my fate at this point 😂

[@0HARE]

I’m sad to see you having such difficulties. One step forward, two steps back, ‘eh? Wishing you better luck.

[@tommotomlinson3370]

Ah what a bummer...the yellowing could be the dye of the MDF coming through.....so sad you've had to rip it all off 😢

[@jayu724]

I can relate to your difficulties here Emma Just get back on that horse And keep riding!..You're Incredibly creative ..oh yes Keep singing 🎶

[@chaosplan]

It looked so great! Hope you try again! There are some good tips in the comments… epoxy reacted with base color, insufficient mixing, temps too cold, etc. I agree with instructions, don’t use paddle mixer. Precise temp, ratio, and mixing are vital with epoxy resins. After mixing scrape bucket sides and bottom, mix again, then pour into fresh bucket, mix again and then pour.

[@darkfactory8082]

Mmm, things have gone from bad to worse...When using epoxy, don't guess, measure and mix the hell out of it before pouring. Let's not talk about the surface preparation.. It has to cure everything and you have to consider it's a layer, especially if you use paint as a bottom layer. Once you pour it, don't try to peel anything or you'll rip your work. Just can sand it lightly with fine grit and then polish it, but usually it's best to leave as it is. After the pour, if you have some bubbles, use a gas torch and quick pass to pop them. Pay also attention to paint (base layer) shrinkage rate, if you don't want to end up wrinkly and disgusting looking. Keep on, experiment and learn. Go Emma, cheers!

[@flybywire5866]

The resin and hardener are rather viscous fluids. Then it was cold on top of that, making them even more viscous. Mixing them with a piece of wood is insufficient. That would work for water-thin fluids. This needs a stirrer in a drill and several minutes of intense mixing. Putting the resin on top of paint needs them to be compatible. Dont get discouraged. Try again, avoid the problems and you will succeed. The same way you made everything work as with the whole bus project. Solutions dont need to be perfect, and temporary solutions usually have the longest lifespan.

[@scotegertson2300]

I've been building/remodeling for years... I have a few similar stories that I could tell. You're gonna get there. Side note... still enjoying your singing over here. Maybe some holiday songs this season?

[@waynepeterson1061]

Always love your choice of background music you have on while you're busy working on something.

[@robertbirch4163]

These are the building blocks of how birbie was made. When it is done you will look back and remember this special time in your life. You will overcome this learning curve as you have from the beginning. Now film it again and show us how it's done. You didn't have to wait for winter, that don't help.

[@moustachemike7128]

just flip it over . and change the design flow...swap places..?

[@jimcub22]

Tape round the edges would stop it flowing off the edge, wasting precious epoxy a top layer will make it smooth just get the light so you can see imperfections. Good job for your first try I couldn’t do better.

[@karagregory69]

24:00 - Not sure about anyone else, but I got a laugh when said deal with this another day and an ad to 'Wanna Buy the best weed in the state? We now deliver to many major cities...." Perfect timing. Priceless.

[@G58]

7:31 Oh god NO!! You’re opening up tins of paint etc with all that dust around??? 🙄👀🧐😎🙈