Epoxy Resin On A Table Top

[DonkeyHoaty]

Hi all,
I will shortly be pouring epoxy resin onto a cable reel beer bottle top table I have made. I have researched the project thoroughly and believe I’m fully armed.
Just wondering if anyone has some experience or tips that they could share?
Thank you.

[New Judge]

Don't get any of it down your trousers.

[DonkeyHoaty]

Top tip New Judge.
I’ll be sure and wear my kilt!

[DonkeyHoaty]

Took me a minute or two to realise that my reply would not post because I had used a thumbs up emoji which I have now deleted.
Does this site not allow them?

[Hymie]

Roughen the surfaces which the epoxy is to glue with a sharp implement/file. Clean the surfaces and ensure they are dry before applying the epoxy. Mix the two component parts of the epoxy (in the correct proportions) well. Conduct a small trial run, even quick-setting epoxy can be mixed for more than 2 minutes before it begins to set.

[ToraToraTora]

can you show us a pic when it's finished?
https://imgbb.com/

[DonkeyHoaty]

Hymie
Thank you for the tips. I cannot roughen the surface because it is bottle tops that are grouted. I have followed all advice from YouTube videos.

ToraToraTora,
Thank you for the link.
Yes, I will post pictures shortly, thanks for the interest.
I only put the grout on yesterday so advice says to wait 48-72 hours for it to fully cure so I’ll apply the epoxy after that.

[DonkeyHoaty]

ToraToraTora,
I have put 3 pictures on, one pre grout, one mid grout and one post grout.
I have used the same username as for this site, I take it that means you can view them?
I will post final ones once I have the edging I ordered and poured the epoxy.

[ToraToraTora]

just post a link.

[ToraToraTora]

like this: https://ibb.co/mqx0C1w

[ToraToraTora]

you don't need to create an account, just upload a picture and it gives you a link. Right click and "copy" then go to the AB box and press CTRL+V to paste.

[DonkeyHoaty]

https://ibb.co/kMT9L31

[DonkeyHoaty]

https://ibb.co/q1BMDQx

https://ibb.co/8dvmDwG

[DonkeyHoaty]

I created an account anyway, it won’t harm to.
Thanks for your help.

[ToraToraTora]

looks cool, if you put an aluminium strip round, sticking up 10mm from the bottle tops, you could get a circular piece of glass on it. That would finish it off nicely.

[Ken4155]

Very nice, Don. How long did it take you to perfectly align all those bottle tops?

[DonkeyHoaty]

Sourcing the right sort of edging has proved a chore in itself, I’ve ordered some wood effect upvc edging.

Bottle tops took a couple of hours using tile cement, it gets difficult to remain symmetrical as you near the centre, I had to swap a few around.
I have ideas for others using coloured pencils, marbles, dice, Lego blocks and maybe guitar plectrums, but on smaller table tops.
This is my first attempt so I’m learning as I go along.

[Hymie]

I’d experiment with an identical small area covered in bottle tops – once you pour the epoxy over it and things go wrong, the whole thing will be ruined.

Make sure that the surface is level, to avoid the epoxy running to one side.

Another potential problem I can foresee is that some epoxies are less opaque than others, if the bottle tops are covered in epoxy you may not be able to see them, ruining the intended effect. To get an even finish, the epoxy should be poured in one go.

If experimentation proves it to be too difficult to cover them with epoxy, go with TTT’s suggestion of using a glass top.

[DonkeyHoaty]

Many thanks to everyone for all the tips and advice.

[DonkeyHoaty]

https://ibb.co/KV3QVZv
Completed with edging and epoxy resin.

[Hymie]

That does look good – I’d consider varnishing the wood to add protection.