Beginner’s Guide: How to Make a Live Edge Epoxy Bar Top

Hey there, DIY enthusiast! Ever drooled over those glossy, eye-catching live edge epoxy bar tops? 

Well, we’re about to spill the beans on how you can make one yourself—right in the comfort of your home (or garage if you’re anything like us folks down here in Florida)!

Materials You’ll Need

Alright, before you dive in, make sure you’ve got everything you need:

• Live Edge Wood Slab
• Bar Top Epoxy
• Measuring Cups
• Stirring Sticks
• Sandpaper
• Rubber Gloves
• Level
• Painter’s Tape
• Plastic Sheeting

Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace

• Lay down some plastic sheeting.
• Make sure the area is well-ventilated.

Step 2: Prep the Wood

• Debark your slab to prevent any delamination issues in the future.
• Sand your live edge slab using anywhere between 80-220 grit sandpaper.
• Wipe off any dust and clean with Isopropyl Alcohol 90% or higher.
• Place the wood slab on a leveled surface.

Step 3: Create a Border

Why risk a mess?

• Use painter’s tape to create a barrier around the surface (like a table or workbench) that you’ve laid your slab on.
• You wouldn’t believe how often we get calls from people asking how to remove cured epoxy from their floor. This is a super simple step to avoid that entire problem!

Step 4: Mix Your Epoxy Resin

The main event!

• Follow the mixing ratio and guidelines specified in your instruction pamphlet.
• Stir for a good 3-5 minutes BY HAND—no shortcuts!

Step 5: Seal it Up

Ready to bring that wood to life?

• Pour a thin layer of the mixed epoxy resin over the wood.
• Use a spreader or a gloved hand to evenly distribute the epoxy.
• You want this layer to be as thin as possible. The goal here is just to prevent any air from escaping into your thicker flood pour that will be done later on.

Step 6: Take a Breather

• Let the epoxy cure for around 2-4 hours, until it has become hard & tacky to the touch.
• Think of a sticky Waffle House countertop, that’s the feeling you’re looking for before you pour your flood coat.

Step 7: Pour the Flood Coat

• Now that your seal coat has become tacky, it’s time to pour the thicker layer.
• You can go up to 1/4” thick, however if you are allowing the resin to flow evenly over the project’s sides – expect about an 1/8” depth once finished leveling.
• Keep it dust-free, and resist the urge to poke it!

Step 8: (Optional) Sand and Finish

• Once cured, you may need to sand the surface to get rid of any imperfections.
• If sanding was necessary for you, simply apply another thin seal coat of the epoxy to get back to that original glossy shine.

Step 9: (Mandatory) Show It Off

You’ve earned those bragging rights, so go ahead and show off your brand-new live edge epoxy bar top! Feel free to shoot us some pictures and a story via email here: superclear@fgci.com

We love sharing our community’s work on social media – make sure to include your username so we can give proper credit where it’s due!

Why Choose Superclear Table Top Epoxy?

We’re not just bragging when we say that our epoxy resins are top-notch. Why settle for less when you can get:

• Hassle-Free: Easier than uncorking a wine bottle. No complicated mixing or tedious applications here.
• The Best Bet: Our Superclear Table Top Epoxy is the go-to choice for top-notch epoxy bar tops.
• Food Grade Safe: FDA 21 CFR 175.300 and ASTM D-4236 certified. As safe as grandma’s kitchen.
• Mix and Match: Pair Superclear with Supercolors Pigments or your choice of mica powder and alcohol dyes.
• Flawless Finish: Enjoy a super gloss that’s not only clear but also scratch-resistant, water-resistant, and chemical-resistant.

Final Thoughts

Look, epoxy projects can be intimidating, but not when you’ve got Superclear Epoxy Systems on your side. With our products and technical support, you’re not just buying epoxy; you’re buying peace of mind and a ticket to the world of endless creativity.

So what are you waiting for? Grab your Superclear Table Top Epoxy and let’s turn that dream bar top into a reality!

Happy DIY-ing! 🛠️