The one gallon kit was plenty for a piece of wood that was little over 1,000 square inches and I was able to do three practice seal coats on smaller pieces. While much of the industry will tell you their 100% solids epoxy products contains zero VOC, there could still be trace amounts of VOC present in any epoxy system. To start, the surface must be clean, dry and free of contamination. Past that point you will want to lightly scuff sand between coats to promote adhesion. Epoxy is a thermoset and bonds well to other thermosets, but thermosets and thermoplastics are notoriously difficult to bond to each other, but it can be done with the right system. Make sure the surface is fully cured, dry and free of contamination. Wax free paper cups and metal cans also work well. lot of energy to warm the area a few degrees so more often than not thermochromics are best used in small items like coasters that can warm up rapidly. Can you use use MAS Tabletop Pro outdoors? Fill the spot and let it fully cure, then lightly sand the entire surface and apply another coat to level it out. Answered by the admin Everything about Table Top Pro resin makes it easy to get an alluring, clear finish quickly, making it our best epoxy for table tops! I have some imperfections in the top (lint) can I sand those out and polish? Do not use tack cloth. Epoxy is a temperature sensitive material. The product should be stored indoors, on a raised surface off the floor and away from exterior walls. An alternative to an epoxy finish coat would be a polyurethane varnish. Epoxy is a mass and temperature sensitive material. Sometimes, its easier to just sand out the spot and re-coat the entire surface depending on the size of the piece. We’ve also done extensive “hot coffee” cup testing up to 130°F on fully cured MAS Table Top Pro with no rings. Q Usually, it takes around 72 hours to fully cure the epoxy. In addition, MAS Epoxy resins and hardeners are packaged in high density polyethylene (resin code 2, HDPE) containers, so most anything made of that should work well too. Can this be used for outdoor application? What works well for one person, might not be the best approach for another. Unfortunately, it’s possible to develop an allergic sensitization to any epoxy resin system. I want to use this on laminate countertops, do I have to use a primer before I lay the epoxy or c... answer now There’s certainly more than one way to go about this, and a whole lot of polishing compounds and equipment out there to choose from, but here’s a general description of a simple process you could try. Thin coats and cooler working conditions will cure slower, and thick coats and hotter working conditions will cure faster. If you can no longer make a thumbnail impression into the epoxy you can apply varnish. A little goes a long way. Q Answered by the admin Moderate heat (an industrial hot air gun, hair dryer or heat lamp) applied to the layup or to the resin and hardener before mixing, will shorten the epoxy's pot life and cure time. Q Asked by Bill on September 2, 2020 11:21 pm Mica comes in a variety of colors and is generally the go to pigment. Odor is difficult to quantify, instead we can look at this in terms of VOC. When working in conditions or with material below 70°F, epoxy resin may become too viscous to properly release air and self level. MAS Deep Pour Epoxy is specifically designed for molding, encapsulating and creating deep pour castings, such as those used on live edge river tables and ocean tables. Mixed Table Top epoxy could also be diluted with roughly 2-5% denatured alcohol to help reduce mixed viscosity and improve self leveling in the affected area. Is this odor free? You can certainly use it over a water-based stain with out issues. Answered by the admin Most people use tabletop to build up the layers then once they get to close to the surface they do a flood coat over the entire table! Answered by the admin Answered by the admin These are largely marketing claims that have not necessarily been substantiated. Take measures such as wearing nitrile gloves, Tyvek arm guards and an apron to prevent skin contact with the epoxy. That said, we’ve made many table/bar tops with our product and personally feel comfortable if the tabletop incidentally contacts food (like dropping and being picked up), but we wouldn’t use it to coat a food prep surface where the food will have direct and continuous exposure. Asked by Brittany on December 26, 2020 12:41 pm Pro Marine Crystal Clear Bar Table Top Epoxy. Do not use a tack cloth. How can I remove fine scratches and swirl from epoxy resin? If a large mass cures in them they can melt a little, but they do not dissolve in epoxy resin or hardener. Q Epoxy is a mass and temperature sensitive material. Only mix up what you intend to immediately use. What works well for one person, might not be the best approach for another. The coating thickness of our table top epoxy should be based on a 1:1 mixing ratio by volume. Art work especially so. We typically recommend using a water-based stain under the epoxy clear coat. The product should be stored indoors, on a raised surface off the floor and away from exterior walls. You can use Tabletop in two or three shallow 1/4" pours or bump up to deep pour and do it in 1 pour. MAS Table Top Pro in a 1/8” thick coat at 77°F should be tack free in roughly 4 hrs and sandable after 8 hrs. Crystal Clear Bar Table Top Coating for Wood Tabletop. 0 votes When can you pour another layer of MAS Tabletop Pro? MAS Deep Pour in a 0.5”-1” thick casting at 77°F should be tack free in roughly 4-8 hrs, sandable after 12-24 hrs, and fully cured in 5-7 days. While much of the industry will tell you their products contains zero VOC, we’ve actually tested our product and obtained a result of 1.5 g/L VOC, which is extremely low. You can certainly thin it with denatured alcohol or acetone up to 5% (95% epoxy resin 5% solvent) thinning can reduce the mechanical and physical properties though, a lot of people will simply warm up part A prior to mixing in part B to reduce the viscosity and improve the flow. This is how long you have to work with the resin before curing sets in and it becomes too stiff to manipulate. Q When cool, it’s thicker and sets slower. Answered by the admin Asked by Mike Owens on October 24, 2020 10:53 am With that said, you can wait for the full cure schedule, then lightly scuff the finish to create surface area and texture for the epoxy to adhere to, wash the piece down with a solvent like denatured alcohol or acetone (keep in mind that may discolor or remove the oil finish) at which point you can apply a seal coat (1/32") and watch for any fish eyes or orange peel. As for the polyurethane on the top, you can apply it as a top coat but in this environment it would not be needed! Q How long does Mas Tabletop Pro take to dry or fully cure? MAS Table Top Pro Epoxy is a clear, self-leveling, room-temperature curing epoxy system. We typically recommend using MAS Deep Pour where you can pour large amounts of epoxy up to 0.5-1” thick, and then using MAS Table Top Pro as the finish top coat. Remove epoxy. 21. Simply sand the surface with 180-220 grit paper paying special attention to scratch damaged areas, clean away sanding debris, wipe surface down with a clean cotton t-shirt rag soaked in an oil free solvent like denatured alcohol, and apply a fresh coat of epoxy. You certainly can! Scuff sand with 80-120 grit and solvent wipe with a clean cotton rag a little denatured alcohol before applying the epoxy. We always recommend placing a coaster down on any tabletop to mitigate any unnecessary scratches. Check Price. Keep in mind the warming the mixture will cause the chemical reaction to kick off a lot sooner and the working time will be reduced. Allow Table Top to fully cure 5-7 days before putting into service. A good comparison is the color difference of wet vs dry wood, although the extent of the color change can vary based on wood type. 0 votes Asked by Chi on January 13, 2021 1:29 pm As for the polyurethane on the top, you can apply it as a top coat but in this environment it would not be needed! As well as these, we also sell MAS potable water epoxy and MAS table top epoxy; as well as some MAS fillers. Keep in mind that epoxy is mass and temperature sensitive. Answered by the admin Asked by Earl on September 27, 2020 10:00 pm Also check out Amazon.com, there are some unique options like glow in the dark or thermochromic pigment. Easy to apply, remove and leaves the underside coating clean and ideally eliminates the need to touch up and recoat. Will epoxy resin bond or stick to acrylic? General about Epoxy Resin Dry Time. Affiliate Program, Although epoxy resin is considered scratch resistant and holds up to everyday wear and tear, it, is not considered indestructible. The overcoat time can be as short as it takes the previous coat to achieve surface tack. Required fields are marked *. Art work especially so. 0 votes How long do I need ... My epoxy has cured and has turned cloudy with teeny tiny bubbles, can this be wet sanded with may... Hi A 500F “temperature rating” showcased on some counter top systems is a misleading marketing practice. Use caution for very large pours. Be sure the stain is fully dry before coating work with epoxy. With that said, you can wait for the full cure schedule, then lightly scuff the finish to create surface area and texture for the epoxy to adhere to, wash the piece down with a solvent like denatured alcohol or acetone (keep in mind that may discolor or remove the oil finish) at which point you can apply a seal coat (1/32") and watch for any fish eyes or orange peel. You can check out https://masepoxies.com/where-to-buy/ and find one closest to you! After the epoxy is applied, a fan can be used to draw heat from the lay-up or application and extend the epoxy's open time. It can but used in that application. Feel free to experiment. Lastly, translucent dyes such as Transtint and Piñata Colors are also compatible with epoxy. Fish eyes are caused by surface contamination. Specialty Woodworking Products, Time Saving Adhesives, My Account Keep in mind, not all urethanes are created equal and every project is unique. That should be around 2-4 hours after pouring, but warmer temperatures will set faster, and cooler temperatures will set slower. Heat Deflection Temperature (HDT) or Thermal Glass Transition temperature (Tg) are the values you’ll want to be comparing for real world usage, with HDT being the most conservative. As a general rule, if you can sand, you should sand. Very popular for creative projects to cover coins, family photos, wood, records…..the choice is yours. What is the working time for MAS Tabletop Pro? Q The heat deflection temperature (HDT) of MAS Table Top Pro is 124°F. 0 votes Name * Check Price. It was my first time using epoxy and the project turned out better than I expected. There are different temperature ratings they might change color at 72f or 88f also keep in mind the amount of heat needed if you do go that option. Some manufacturers may claim “FDA complaint”, “meets FDA guidelines”, etc. Or do i need a mask while working on it? We certainly do! The shelf life of MAS epoxy resins and hardeners is at least one year in sealed containers, but the material can last much longer when stored between 60-90°F in a dry place. I am creating a counter top over my washer & dryer out of plywood. I have some imperfections in the top (lint) can I sand those out and polish? Larger slabs should be poured thinner than smaller castings to minimize exotherm. In some cases, the bond created through the use of epoxy polymers is much stronger than the original substrate. Bare wood typically takes on a slightly richer color when wet out with MAS Table Top Pro. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Sanding is the easiest way to remove the menisci, however it will leave visible scuff marks. Mica comes in a variety of colors and is generally the go to pigment. 5 Best Epoxy for Wood Slabs in 2021. Using a propane torch or a heat gun, apply heat 6-8 inches above the surface in a back and forth motion to remove bubbles. If you are placing it in an area of the house that does get some morning or late afternoon sun, you can always do a final flood coat of ArtPro for added protection! You can dilute down the mixed Table Top resin/hardener with 2-5% denatured alcohol to stretch the material a bit further on seal coats. 0 votes Try to remove the epoxy. Asked by Karen on October 15, 2020 9:08 pm I currently live in a studio with a child, can i work on this at the balcony/patio? Answered by the admin My epoxy has cured and has turned cloudy with teeny tiny bubbles, can this be wet sanded with may... answer now Q Here is a video showcasing different thicknesses and how the heat effects Tabletop Pro I am creating a counter top over my washer & dryer out of plywood. However, thicker coats and castings of Table Top Pro can be achieved by step pouring multiple layers. Repeat the seal coat until you have imperfection free surface then apply the flood coat. Crystal Clear Bar Table Top Epoxy Resin-Pro Marine Supply. When in doubt, buy more. Since MAS Table Top is designed with flood coating and encapsulating applications in mind, as opposed to are more traditional load bearing laminating system or adhesive, I think you’ll be fine overcoating acrylic. Keep in mind that epoxy is mass and temperature sensitive. Use 205 Fast Hardener, designed to cure with epoxy resin at lower temperatures. That sounds like microbubbles, which are typically introduced when mixing the epoxy. Tabletop Pro does not have any UV inhibitors and is not recommended for direct UV exposure. When bonding to metal the surface must be bright and free of oxidation. You can sometimes get away with this if doing polyester resin work – but polyester already has the hardener mixed in to the resin and the MEKP that you add is a CATALYST – tinyamounts of catalyst have a big effect. How do I remove cup rings and heat indents from epoxy resin? The edge you are referring to is a phenomenon that occurs when the surface adhesion pulls the epoxy up to form a concave meniscus. Do not mix more than one gallon at a time. If there is any doubt about the condition of old material, we recommend mixing a small amount in a disposable cup to ensure it hardens before using it for a project. The max thickness MAS Table Top Pro should be applied is 1/8-1/4” per layer. You will need only a small amount of colorant to create the desired effect! For best results, all materials and working conditions should be maintained at a constant 70°F – 80°F. The maximum coating thickness of MAS Table Top is 1/8” – 1/4” per pour, but deeper coatings can be achieved by step pouring multiple layers. Can I use anything to mix the epoxy resin in? Marine grade polyurethane varnishes like Bristol Finish UV Clear, with enhanced UV protection additives, offer improved UV stability and abrasion resistance over “off the shelf” spar varnishes available at your local hardware store. Overcoating with a fresh coat is the simplest method. I plan to use Varathane premium quick drying wood stain. The max thickness MAS Table Top Pro should be applied is 1/8-1/4” per layer. 0 votes Answered by the admin There are different temperature ratings they might change color at 72f or 88f also keep in mind the amount of heat needed if you do go that option. You would need to completely sand off the problematic areas and then re-coat. If the mixed epoxy starts to heat up in your mixing bucket, apply immediately. You would need to completely sand off the problematic areas and then re-coat. I would stay away from polystyrene containers (resin code 6, PS) as they melt under low temperatures. Simply put you can smell it, but it contains no solvents, so you won’t have a strong solvent odor fill your work space. Q With age or when stored improperly, you may encounter issues such as crystallization of the epoxy resin or yellowing of the hardener. To make a mechanical bond: Asked by Mario Sollecchio on August 31, 2020 6:54 pm If you want the appearance of 50 coats of varnish with just one pour on your epoxy resin table, look no further than our table top epoxy, Table Top Pro. Technical Data Bulletin. Answer now Priming is typically done if you are using it as a base color to accent the top colorants used to create an effect. If you can no longer make a thumbnail impression into the epoxy you can apply varnish. Q Surface prep is critical, if you can no longer make an indentation in the epoxy with your fingernail, then you are past the window for a chemical bond and will need to create a mechanical one. samira nilieh Differences in viscosity can also lead to variations in how much waste is being lost after every pour. 2-5% loading level should have no significant effect on cure. Most acrylics are also epoxy compatible. One of the major differences between resin choices is the rate at which the hardener and the resin reacts and ultimately cures. Tabletop epoxy quantities of 64-128 ounces typically require 5-8 minutes - use a timer. Answered by the admin Dyes or pigments can be added to Deep Pour to create a variety of effects. If allowed to cure past the point of being able to indent a fingernail, then you will want to lightly scuff sand between coats to promote adhesion. If you do get some on your skin wash it off immediately with soap and water. Budget efficient. Brittany Esquivel We typically recommend using MAS Deep Pour epoxy for river tables where you can pour large amounts of epoxy up to 0.5-1” thick, and then using MAS Table Top Pro as the top coat. We do not recommend using tabletop for anything that would have direct continuous exposure to food or someones mouth. How do you clean or remove epoxy resin off tools and surfaces? 2. Had dimples after it set. When in doubt, small scale compatibility testing is always a good idea. These are then combined with 3 hardeners - Slow, medium or Fast. Can this be used in silicone molds for keychains or coasters? The heat deflection temperature is 124F. Using the recommended mix ratio is VERY important when using epoxy. Gel coat over epoxy If the mixed epoxy starts to heat up in your mixing bucket, apply immediately. Asked by Mackenzie Anstett on September 14, 2020 9:13 am What is the mix ratio of MAS Tabletop Pro? You certainly can! Never for final flood coats. Warm soapy water works well for hardeners. To our knowledge, no manufacturer is selling a FDA approved epoxy resin system. Over mixing the epoxy will cause it to cure quickly in the mixing cup. You could seal coat your project with the MAS 2:1 Non-blushing system or MAS PES, but we recommend sealing with MAS Table Top so you don’t have to invest in multiple systems to complete one project. MAS Table Top Pro is considered a 100% solids epoxy coating. However, it’s important to keep in mind that epoxy takes roughly 5-7 days at room temperature to fully cure and develop its full mechanical and thermal properties. MAS Table Top is not FDA approved for direct food contact. Do not allow epoxy resins or hardeners to freeze during winter storage. Best options for managing drips on the underside of project are to either periodically tend and smooth out with a brush as they form or use blue painters tape to protect underside perimeter. That being said, 10-15 minutes is all it should take to carefully mix and pour. Crystal Clear. If no instructions are available, then simply treat the varnish as an additional coat of epoxy: Allow last coat of epoxy to cure 24 hrs, scuff sand with 120-220 grit paper, clean sanding residue from surface, and apply varnish. Q If you must work with the epoxy resin in a confined space, wear a NIOSH approved respirator with an organic vapor cartridge. What causes bubbles in your epoxy resin finish? There are no answers for this question yet.