Unlocking the Secrets of Beautiful Table Top Epoxy Finishes

[@dougdavidson175]

Gorgeous table Brian! Thank for the breakdown on the process. Take care & stay safe.

[@FlynndoggWoodwork]

Thanks so much Doug! I really appreciate it. You as well! :)

[@gordongambilljr]

This guy is truly a teacher.

[@FlynndoggWoodwork]

Haha! You are too kind, I'm actually a former Accountant, but I'll take it! :). Thanks for watching GordonGambilljr!

[@janeoosterhoff9269]

I did a huge 3-leaf ash table in 1990. We raised our family around that table and now it's been moved to my daughter's family (6 kids) :-) That table was and still is indestructable. In 1990, there was no youtube to watch! We are building our retirement suite right now. I snagged a beautiful smaller oak table and am getting ready to do it again!

[@FlynndoggWoodwork]

Such a cool thing to share Janecosterhoff! I hope that my table will last 1/2 as long as yours. Love this comment and I totally agree. I learned to play to guitar when I was 13 and had to dig up everythign there was to learn about it at the library, lessons, and through friends. KZbin would have been amazing ot have back then! Thanks again for sharingl, so cool!

[@balllegend8519]

thanks for the video, i gotta say you encouraged me to try a table-top epoxy finish again. You talk with such interesting enthusiasm... I really enjoyed watching you

[@FlynndoggWoodwork]

Thanks so much balllegend! You should totally try it again. Less is more I've learned with the table top epoxy. 2 maybe 3 layers is all you need.! Best of luck to you and thank you so much for your kind words!

[@richardseger2550]

nice complete process video - thks

[@FlynndoggWoodwork]

Thanks so much Richard! I appreciate it and thanks for watching!

[@peterlaughlin930]

Nice job your directions were very clear excellent video

[@FlynndoggWoodwork]

Thanks so much Peter! The lighting was a little bad in the basement, so I know everything looked a little watshed out, but I think it turned out ok! Thanks so much for watching!

[@Nate-ip4qo]

That table is just beautiful.

[@FlynndoggWoodwork]

Thanks so much Nate! I appreciate that!

[@michaelkelley6905]

Brian - that’s an awesome table and a wonderful approach to knowing when enough is enough. There are lots of us woodworkers (looking in the mirror on this comment) who don’t or won’t attempt some of the more difficult things, just because they want to make the perfect table, chair, bookcase, etc. The more you make, the better you get and the more you learn. The maker will always be able to see every imperfection in the final product, more than most of the end users. I’m always shocked when people are so complimentary about some of the simplest things you make. As one En Curtis (the KZbinr) says - go make a thing! There’s a huge satisfaction in that simplicity. Thanks again. BTW, did you make the bench and chair in the last shot of the table? That looks awesome. Thanks!

[@FlynndoggWoodwork]

I love this comment Michael! I totally agree, I'm getting ready to practice this principal in an upcoming video (I have yet to film it yet). I'm going to start to make cabinets for my shop. I've never made cabinets before and have some apprehension about making them. I'll make some mistakes, and I'll always see those mistakes, but we won't grow if we don't make mistakes! Funny you bring those benches up! This is a perfect example. I made those years before I ever started doing the youtube thing. Those benches have held up for well over 6 years without a problem in the world. They weren't perfect, and only had 2 coats of epoxy on them (that's the reason I only did two for the table). Love En Curtis, been enjoying his channel as well! Thanks as always for commenting and watching Michael!

[@michaelhinson5912]

Man alive that finish looked sweet! The shine was so satisfying top work my man👍🏼

[@FlynndoggWoodwork]

Thanks so much Michael! That's what I love about table top epoxy, makes you look like you know what you are doing! :). Thanks so much for watching!

[@jimrosson6702]

The table turned out amazing Bryan love the colors in it the woods you used look great together. Keep up the amazing work. Can’t wait to see what you do next.

[@FlynndoggWoodwork]

Thanks so much Jim! I really appreciate that. In a lot of my home projects, I really like to use a bunch of woods together to make paterns. In fact I'm not sure I've ever built a solid piece of furniture with just one wood color. I should probably try that sometime! :)

[@jimrosson6702]

I think the different woods just look so much better then just one solid wood sometimes one wood is nice but I just personally like the different woods myself.

[@FlynndoggWoodwork]

@@jimrosson6702 I totally agree with you. I probably mix some woods that most would find "not appropriate" but I like it and I guess that is all that counts! :)

[@adam-qf2vz]

looks fantastic mate....you are inspiring me to have a go at resin work

[@FlynndoggWoodwork]

You should totally do it Adam, it really is quite easy. This is only about my 5th time working with table top epoxy and it really is forgiving! :)

[@patcross5799]

Nicely done.... turned out very, pretty. I have a similar project coming up in the next few months that will make use of this process. Thanks.

[@FlynndoggWoodwork]

Oh nice! Best of luck to you! Just don't let those air bubbles get to you! :). Thanks as always for watching Pat!

[@michaelsavannah3965]

Great job buddy. Thanx for all the advice

[@FlynndoggWoodwork]

My pleasure! I appreciate you watching Michael! Have a great day!

[@noelsinterestchannel1651]

Good content. Your best video yet!

[@FlynndoggWoodwork]

Oh thank you! I really appreciate that! Thank you so much for watching Noel!

[@seanbrotherton542]

The air bubbles would drive me nuts! 😂 Well done sir!

[@FlynndoggWoodwork]

Oh they are really frustrating. I put like 6-7 layers on the first table I ever did with epoxy. Just because I wanted to make sure it was perfect... turned out it wasn't but it was good enough and probably about the same level of "perfectness" as the 2nd layer! Thanks as always for watchign Sean!

[@mitchellbernstein42]

Beautiful!

[@FlynndoggWoodwork]

Thanks so much Mitchell! I'm really pleased with how it turned. Thanks so much for watching!

[@pazmaniaoh6341]

Nice work. Love the table

[@FlynndoggWoodwork]

Thanks so much pazmaniaoh! I really appreciate that!

[@josephlicata4609]

Great presentation

[@FlynndoggWoodwork]

Thanks so much Josephlicata! Really appreciate that and thanks for watching!

[@michaelhyland9216]

Looks fantastic

[@FlynndoggWoodwork]

Thanks so muhc Michael! I appreciate that!

[@michaelhyland9216]

I have messed with some epoxy inlays but haven't done anything that large - yet 😊

[@FlynndoggWoodwork]

@@michaelhyland9216 I think epoxy inlays are way harder! :) You'll be a pro!

[@raymondhall7606]

Thanks for the info

[@FlynndoggWoodwork]

My pleasure Raymondhall! Best of luck to you!

[@Jimc4007]

The table top is looking great!I've not ventured into using epoxy on a project yet. After watching this video I may get brave enough to try it out. I've wanted to make one of my flags with it. How is it odor wise? Hopefully better than spraying several coats of a high gloss poly!

[@FlynndoggWoodwork]

Great question Jim, there is essentially odor at all. I didn't even wear a mask. Not sure if I should of, but there was no smell or fumes that I could tell at all. Great question, and you should totally go for it. It is super easy to use. My first time I used it I did a small gift for my wife and that got me a lot more comfortable with it. The only downside of it, is that it does make a BIG mess in the shop.

[@robertchambers4466]

Good looking table. Wish I had known some of the things that you put in there when I did the first three that I did. I've always well after my first one. I coded the other ones with one thin layer of the epoxy on the bottom also in case it completely and I've seen that the ones that I epoxy completely around or more stable than my big countertop that I did without doing the bottom. But I wish I hadn't known about the slack before I done the first one. Still that's a great video. You went in a little more detail than other folks have done and let them know that it's not going to be perfect. Don't know if it's have a place to put one where you're not going to get lent and dust and everything else that's going to fall into it. Great job!

[@FlynndoggWoodwork]

I've thought about coating the bottom of the table with a paint brush and epoxy before, but I talked to the guys at rockler quite a bit about it, they thought the shellac was easier, and I tend to agree. 100% agree with you about things not being perfect. No one will ever notice those small little dust nibs. I was at a restaurant the other day and saw a table top epoxy table, and I noticed all sorts of issues that even I wouldn't have settled for but here it was looking great in a restaurant. Thanks so much for watching Robert!

[@NoXQc]

I’m doing a full kitchen swap and really like the look of walnut countertops do you think doing this same process on my countertops would protect them enough ? Would not be cutting directly on them

[@FlynndoggWoodwork]

Great question. I would not recommend it if you are cutting on them . The epoxy will scratch. It is pretty durable except with heat and sharp objects. Great question and thanks for watching!

[@NoXQc]

@ thank you for the quick reply !

[@RightHandShot]

Nice project

[@FlynndoggWoodwork]

Thanks so much Doctor Ping! I appreciate you watching! :)

[@jaimereynolds258]

Gorgeous

[@FlynndoggWoodwork]

Thanks so much jaimereynolds! Really appreciate it and thanks for watching!

[@vernsteinbrecker3759]

Nice job

[@FlynndoggWoodwork]

Thanks so much vernsteinbrecker! I appreciate you watching!

[@ST-0311]

Nice table. Do you think the vacuum made any significant difference? I always rely on the torch initially, and then use a heat gun for the final pass.

[@FlynndoggWoodwork]

I'll be honest, I was not as impressed as I thoughtI would be. I think I was too worried about the epoxy starting to set up and getting too thick. This was the first time using it so I probably can't give a good impression of it until I use it a couple of more times. Thanks for watchign!

[@AndrewBatley-g2u]

I have done the sanding of my seal coat and like you said, it looks quite bad now! I’m worried that the scuff marks and discolouration won’t be evened out once I do the epoxy. I haven’t done the epoxy yet, any advice if there are scuff marks do I do another coat of sealant, or trust it will even out with the epoxy?

[@FlynndoggWoodwork]

Great question Andrew! If all you are seeing is the opaque scuffing from the sealer you will be a.o.k. I go through the same emotional roller coaster every time I do epoxy and it always turns out crystal clear. You should notice the difference immediately as soon as you pour the epoxy. If you are really worried about it I would suggest doing a test piece on some scrap if you have some left over, but I assure you you will be good!

[@christashik9524]

Amazing! What was the hardware package you used for the table/bench frame?

[@FlynndoggWoodwork]

Great question. I built the frame. It's just made out of 4X4s that I glued and screwed together. Really pretty simple! I stained it pretty dark to give it the impression that it was nicer than it is! :) Thanks so much for watching Chris!

[@zoranpopovic4254]

great video, thank you Brian. I have only one question--how did you eliminate flys and moskitos and bugs.....they make me crazy that sniky bast***s

[@FlynndoggWoodwork]

Oh, man, it is soooo funny you mention that. I have a notorious cutting board in my house that has a mosquito in the river of it. Always an issue! :(. Thanks so much for watching zoranpopovic! Really appreciate it!

[@buccnet]

Thanks!

[@FlynndoggWoodwork]

Oh my goodness you are too generous Buccnet! I really appreciate it. Thanks so much and thank you for watching!

[@buccnet]

@@FlynndoggWoodwork You’re welcome and the video was worth more than $1.99 I only wish I had seen it before I made my table (1st one). I’m retired and on SSA income. Thanks again for the informative video.

[@FlynndoggWoodwork]

@@buccnet You are too kind. Thanks again! I hope it helps. I love working with table top epoxy and it really is quite forgiving! Best of luck to you! :)

[@jimwagner6739]

Looks great, the video was well done. Wondering if mineral spirits has the potential to make the epoxy bond poorly when you use it as a cleaner for the sanding. It is a petroleum based product and generally oil is not great for epoxy bonding. May want to use acetone or isopropyl alcohol.

[@FlynndoggWoodwork]

That's a great question. One that I can't answer, but I can say I haven't had any issues with this table so far. It's sitting in my kitchen right now and is our main table, so always checking it out. Great point though. Thanks for watching Jim!

[@MistahCE]

Question, I want to place a sports decal on my mancave table. I was thinking about using this product to put down one layer, place the decal over the top, and then place another layer over the decal. Would that work?

[@FlynndoggWoodwork]

Great questions, I don't think that would be a problem at all. I've encapsulated photos in this stuff and not had any problems at all. I didn't even get any running of the colors. Best of luck to you, I think this sounds like a great addition to your mancave!

[@GaryThompson-u1j]

We did our last epoxy pour. It looks beautiful, then we noticed that a small flying bug was in and protruding out of the epoxy. We really don’t want to do another pour. Do you have any solutions for our problem?

[@FlynndoggWoodwork]

:) Oh man, that is the nature of the beast. I have some cutting boards, and even a hair or two in this table. It is really hard to not get something in there unless you have a clean room. I actually have a cutting board with a mosquito in it and it is actually a great conversation piece now.

[@bibiyeya5388]

Kick as job ! But I’m still wondering why wouldn’t you use the degassing camber on the first epoxy pour ? I think it would have help to keep the large and the micro bubbles at a minimum. I’ve tried it and believe me it helps with all that bubble popping ! And again awesome job with all your doos and don’ts explaining/directions…

[@FlynndoggWoodwork]

Excellent question bibiyeya! With a very silly answer, I didn't own it yet. I purchased it during the first 72 hour cure time of the first pour. I thought i'd give it a try since I've seen it used by others I thought I'd give it a shot. Thanks so much for watching, great question!

[@ellenmaher5451]

How is your table holding up? We are getting ready to put epoxy over a shellacked butcher block countertop and want to know if your table is doing after regular use.

[@FlynndoggWoodwork]

Thanks so much for checking in on this Ellenmaher! I've been very pleased with the results. I've had no cracking and hot separation at all. Very pleased so far. The key was sealing the wood like you did and doing a solid sanding between pours. I also think (for me) two coats of epoxy is the magic number. Best of luck to you!

[@heystarfish100]

You just earned some extra points on your Man Card Brian. 🤣

[@FlynndoggWoodwork]

Haha! I hope I don't have to pay that card off, and the interest rate is good! :). Thanks for watchign heystarfish100!

[@thehickorylanewoodshed2378]

Q: once installed, what would you use to clean the tabletop once it gets used?

[@FlynndoggWoodwork]

Oh man, you can use just about anything! The epoxy is extremely durable. The only thing I hesitate on doing to it is putting anything super hot on it. As it will melt the epoxy and create an indention, but other than that, I'm not sure there is any cleaner you can't use on it! Great question and thanks for watching thehickorylanewoodshed!

[@Vinimarshall450]

How do u keep any dust particle off

[@FlynndoggWoodwork]

That is a great question. You have to find an extremely clean place and try to have as little movement as possible. It's a tricky process. I don't think i have one epoxy item that doesn't have at least one fleck of dust in it. The only person that noticed however is me! Thanks so much for watching Vinimarshall!

[@JoseHernandez-mj6ne]

What is the formula. I measured the HxWxD=which in my case was 50oz. How much resin and hardener do I use? Help please

[@FlynndoggWoodwork]

Well it depends on what brand you are using. Some are 1 to 1 rations while others are 2 to 1. It should say on the container. Best of luck to you Jose!

[@themeat5053]

Dogg, man, a good video to pass a snowy morning with. Ah the old, "acclimating" excuse. Glad you finally got off your butt and got the table done. Hey, did you get the tape at Lowe's? Did you happen to mention how expensive the epoxy is?

[@FlynndoggWoodwork]

Haha! Don't tell anyone about that Acclimating excuse, that is one of my favorites! :). Thanks as always or watching Joe! You have snow, it's 50 here... in february!

[@landsjslap]

What is this wood called?

[@FlynndoggWoodwork]

Good question, I used a variety fo woods on this project, cherry, bibinga, white oak, walnut, mahogany, etc. Thanks so much for watching Landsjslap!

[@badad0166]

I have an acting/TV host trick for you to try next time you are shooting. Do the "before and after" moment in each of the shots you are breaking the script into. Simply do the line before and carry on after the chunk you are planning to use. Then, when edited, it will flow more seamlessly. Like, say, epoxy. Give it a shot! You will see the difference. Showbiz!

[@FlynndoggWoodwork]

Thanks so much for the tip, I think I understand what you are saying! Thanks again badad!

[@antomac]

WOW !!! 🤐👏👏👏

[@FlynndoggWoodwork]

Thanks antomac! I appreciate it and thanks as always for watching!

[@Boog7625]

Is shellac compatible with epoxy?

[@FlynndoggWoodwork]

Yessir, this is the sealer that the “epoxy expert” at Rockler even recommended. Great question and thanks for watching Larry!

[@Boog7625]

@@FlynndoggWoodwork Thanks

[@cwb8047]

Nice looking Table, congratulations on a job well. Just remember Good things take time, Great thing take a little longer. Ive never had much success with epoxy coatings. In days of Ore, When Vikings Roamed the Earth 🌎. And was starting out making things out of wood there weren't such creatures. I made a chess set out of Acrylic pieces with a wood pedestal chess table. The table was finished in Lacquer. The Acrylic chess pieces seem like they never cured very well. They were always sticky and with stick to the table and everything else. Including each other. It appears to be a new world. Im seeing this new Epoxy table material all over. Tell me how well does it harden? Does sunlight make it soft? Does glassware leave water rings? What about leaving place settings on tables? Lots of questions. Good luck thank you for the entertainment.

[@FlynndoggWoodwork]

These are excellent questions, and I hear you with the lacquer not curing perfectly. I have a couple of projects that are a little tacky myself. As for the epoxy tables, you have to be VERY careful with hot things in the tables. They will leave rings on the table where the plates or cups rest. We use placemats when we eat typically to protect the table. My tables have handled scratches very well. Having three boys they are always doign things to the top of that table.. But the scratechs seem to disappear quite well. It's just that heat issue. Thanks for the questions and thanks for watching! :)

[@cwb8047]

@@FlynndoggWoodwork I've been watching a lot of these epoxy pour video's the ones that are incredibly thick, like 2 yo 2 1/2" thick. Don't seem to be sustainable long-term. They're no doubt beautiful works of art. If the intention is to Acually use. Just as you say, life happens. By definition furniture is made to interact with humans. And as such chances are it is going to need to be serviced. The biggest issue I see can be as simple as using the wrong cleaning methods and materials. People need to learn the needs of their furniture and it's finish. In customer service the number one reason for unhappy customers is poor setting of expectations at the time of sell. Anyway I could go on for hours. Lol, it's just inherent in my work experience. I never cease to be amazed by how unrealistic some people can be, about things they buy or encounter.

[@FlynndoggWoodwork]

@@cwb8047 Tell me about it. Me and my wife owned some pizza restaurants back in the day. You would think the world was coming to an end with some of their issues. We would have to constantly remind ourselves "it's just pizza!"

[@iposttvshows]

if the underside of a new butcher block counter isn't going to see the light of day, is there a need to put anything on it? My guy who's going to install it says no, and wants to seal with epoxy. I need to talk to him... I don't want a super shiny plastic look as my counter.

[@FlynndoggWoodwork]

You are probably safe with that. I would maybe put a couple coats of shellac on both sides. That has a nice look for a kitchen isn't as plastic! Thanks so much for watching jposttvshows!

[@iposttvshows]

@@FlynndoggWoodwork thank you

[@kenerickson4923]

I'm assuming a conversation with the wife was, "When are you going to finally going to finish that table? "

[@FlynndoggWoodwork]

Do you have a spy camera in my house! :) That's exactly how it went Ken!

[@kenerickson4923]

@@FlynndoggWoodwork I have heard the same conversation in my house.

[@kenerickson4923]

Usually it is, you are always making things for others and I want to know when you are making the things I want?

[@FlynndoggWoodwork]

@@kenerickson4923 Haha! I have a honey do list on our fridge. Somethings are getting quite stale! :)

[@kenerickson4923]

@FlynndoggWoodwork put the list inside fridge. It won't get stale so quickly.

[@CorbyQ]

I love Police Academy. Kids now a day don't know the hijinks of Mahoney.

[@FlynndoggWoodwork]

I know right! One of my favorites, although the sound effects guy doesn't impress me as much today as he did back then. :). Thanks for watching CorbyQ

[@rfehr613]

So you don't need to put epoxy on the underside?

[@FlynndoggWoodwork]

Great question! No I haven’t done any epoxy on the underside in any table I’ve done. You will however need to seal it with shellac, laquer or some other sealant. Thanks so much for watching!

[@RachelsBadAssJamz64]

Is using shalack safe? If its going to be used as a dining table shalack and varnish are toxic.

[@FlynndoggWoodwork]

Shalak is totally safe. It's about as natural of a finish as you can get. You should look up how it's made. That might cause you to not want to eat on the table, but it is completely non-toxic!