Selecting the best epoxy for thick pours can be confusing given the wide array of thick pour epoxy resin lineup in the market right now. So, what epoxy resin should you go for, and what factors should you pay attention to? How thick can you pour epoxy resin? What are some of the tips you should be aware of when handling epoxy resin for thick pours? How long does an epoxy resin for deep pour take to cure? Kindly read the article below for the full insight.
WHAT ARE THICK POURS?
Thick pours are design situations usually relatively deep depressions in surfaces (metal, wood, plastic) that warrant filling by another material. One of the best materials that you can use to fill such depressions is epoxy resin. Thickness is specific to depressions for example, we can have 1”, 2” or 4” depressions that would require as much epoxy resin height to fill by multiplying the thickness of the depression.
OUR BEST PICKS FOR THE BEST EPOXY RESIN FOR THICK POURS
1• FGCI Deep Pour Epoxy Resin Kit Crystal Clear Liquid Glass – 2 to 4 Inches Plus Clear Epoxy Resin at One Time for Live Edge, River Tables, and Wood Filler- Clear Casting Pourable Epoxy Resin Kit – BEST EPOXY RESIN FOR THICK POURS – BEST OF THE BEST PICKS
This product is by FGCI – a reputable epoxy resin manufacturer in the USA. The product is well known for the potential of a thick pour (a maximum of 2 to 4 inches), which is instrumental in contributing to the overall structure’s hardness. With a hard material result, there is adequate protection from damage, high heat resistance that prevents surface warping, a perfect blend with wooden surface increasing stability, and the prevention of wobble and flexing.
Liquid Glass Deep Pour Epoxy resin practically produces a bubble-less finish. By having a thinner viscosity as a two-part resin, this epoxy resin has an excellent bubble-releasing mechanism that leaves the final product with exceptional depth and super clarity. This feature widens the range of projects within which Liquid Glass Deep Pour Epoxy resin may apply, including River Tables, Void and cracks Filling, Casting Art, and Even as Small as 4ml castings, for example, Jewelry pendants.
Although most epoxy resins available in the market will yellow due to UV exposure, Liquid Glass Deep Pour Epoxy resin is different by including high-caliber additive formulations. These high-grade ingredients ensure significantly lower yellowing and more extended periods of super clear epoxy resin surface than other epoxies.
Liquid Glass Deep Pour Epoxy resin gives room for creative wooden surface designs and deco by allowing easy color integration. Liquid Glass Deep Pour Epoxy resin flawlessly blends with coloring agents such as inks, dyes, and even liquid and powder pigments. This epoxy resin perfectly distributes and suspends the coloring agent allowing for accurate patterns and smooth design implementation.
2• TotalBoat Thickset Deep Pour Epoxy | Clear Gloss Pourable Casting Resin Kit | for Art, Epoxy River Tables, Live Edge Slabs, Molds, Wood Voids – BEST LONG WORKING TIME EPOXY FOR THICK POURS
The instructions for this epoxy resin advocate for 2” maximum pour when dealing with small epoxy molds and 1” when dealing with large casts. The epoxy has a self-leveling capability.
The epoxy resin to hardener ratio is 3:1, which is easy to measure out.
Since the epoxy resin requires a long working time, the resulting surfaces are tough, durable, and waterproof, being perfect for beginners and pros alike.
The epoxy resin produces an ultra-clear gloss that can be manipulated by adding solvents to enhance appearance for example, mica powders, alcoholic dyes, and color pigments.
This epoxy is eco-friendly and only produces low odor due to its low VOC formulation. Therefore, the epoxy is ideal for spaces with relatively less ventilation for example, underground garages, shops, or any indoor use. When the surface cures, the result is a piece free from BPA (Bisphenol A) that is safe for drinks and food.
Another advantage, as with all other epoxy resins, for thick pours, is the ability to pour deeply at a go.
Depending on the size of your project, this epoxy comes in different sizes: 1.3 Gallon, 1.3 Quart, 4 Gallon, and 8 Gallon.
3• EcoPoxy FlowCast Kit Clear Casting Epoxy Resin for Wood Working, Tables, Counters – BEST ECO-FRIENDLY EPOXY FOR THICK POURS
This epoxy is compatible with different kinds of pigments, be they metallic, color, or glitter, meaning that it is excellent for custom tints as a resin art.
EcoPoxy Flowcast has a self-leveling property allowing easy application in surface depressions.
The epoxy cures to a crystal clear finish described by the manufacturer as ‘liquid glass.’
Eco-Poxy Flowcast is Eco-Friendly with high biological content and extremely low odor.
EcoPoxy Flowcast is an excellent suit where the depressions are large; deep pours would be necessary. The epoxy can cure to thick epoxy slabs up to 1.5 inches.
The epoxy forms an extremely tough and strong bond with wood taking durability to a whole new level.
4• WiseBond DEEP Pour Epoxy for 2” Thick Single Pours to Make Epoxy River Tables, Live Edge Slabs, Lathe Turning, Object Casting, 2 Part 2:1 Ratio Kit, Pour Crystal Clear or Easily Tint – BEST EPOXY RESIN FOR THICK POURS ON WOOD
This epoxy is specifically manufactured for your woodworking projects, including river tables that would require thick pours. Therefore, the epoxy is not certified for use in marine situations or other general purposes.
The epoxy is capable of curing to a maximum thickness of 2” per layer, which is excellent for casting and edge slabs. This thicker layer gives users the chance to apply thicker epoxy without the need for extra operation steps like sanding.
The epoxy resin’s compatibility with mica powders and pigments makes it an ideal suit in filling voids, rivers, knot holes, or cracks.
Wisebond DEEP boasts of a high UV resistance, which is important but not critical in the slowing down of the process of yellowing over time.
The epoxy is eco-friendly with low odor, 100% solid formulations, and 0 VOC.
Wisebond Deep has a self-leveling property allowing it to be applied in corners and handrails.
FAQ Frequently Asked Questions
HOW THICK CAN YOU POUR EPOXY RESIN?
Each epoxy resin has a maximum thickness imposed by the manufacturer, beyond which you need to stop the pour, wait for the surface to cure, and then proceed to add consecutive layers onto the surface.
Therefore you can only pour epoxy resin as thick as advised by the manufacturer in a single pour.
However, you have a limitless possible thickness if you are working in phases since after reaching the maximum height of a single pour, you can add as many consecutive layers as you want.
This article considers an epoxy resin for thick pour to have at least 1” maximum pour on a single application.
WHEN TO USE EPOXY RESIN FOR THICK POURS
Filling Large Voids | Epoxy River Tables | Thick Live-Edge Slab Tables | Art Casting | Deep Resin Molds | Embedding And Encapsulating Objects | Bathroom Counter Tops | Kitchen Islands | Bistro Tables | Restaurant Tables | Epoxy Jewelry Casting |
SELECTING THE BEST EPOXY RESIN FOR THICK POURS – Buying Guide
There are several factors that we need to pay close attention to when selecting the best epoxy resin for thick pours
1• MAXIMUM POUR THICKNESS PER LAYER
If you are in search of the best epoxy resin for thick pours, then you are probably looking at epoxy resin with over 1” in the maximum thickness per layer. You could be looking for this property to ensure you fill your deep void as quickly as possible without having to pour many layers.
You do not have to pour 1/8 inch of epoxy and wait for 24 hours to apply a consecutive layer. This process could take you close to 8 days.
2• WORKING TIME
With a long working time, a user is assured of complete cures that allow functional use. The result surfaces are tough and durable without the loss of bond integrity at layer boundaries. However, slow setting epoxy resins require patience and might require simulations to assess the quality of curing.
3• BONUS FEATURES
•ECO FRIENDLINESS
Working with epoxy resin in the current waves of Green Energy, it is critical to ensure you not only use an ideal epoxy for your specific project but that it is also safe for human use during and after the application.
•PIGMENT COMPATIBILITY
Having the ability to add pigments to epoxy allows users to explore resin art by making patterns that make the limitless list of possible thick pour epoxy resin projects.
•UV RESISTANCE
Often when dealing with thick pours, you end up with large surface areas exposed. If these surfaces are exposed to UV light, then the degree of yellowing significantly increases, and hence an epoxy with UV resistance properties is an advantage.
TIPS TO REMEMBER WHEN USING THE BEST EPOXY RESIN FOR THICK POURS
EFFECTIVE CURING
If one is working with an epoxy resin with a rapid pot life, then it is beneficial to work in phases. Although working in phases involves extra steps that increase operation time and energy, phases allow the user to form a tougher, more durable, less susceptible to yellowing, more aesthetically appealing (less unwanted waves on the surface due to shrinkage) resulting surface than could have been achieved if the entire mass of epoxy was poured all at once.
When working in phases, it is critical to ensure the surface of the previously poured layer is cooled to around 22˚C since any temperature higher than this figure positively catalyzes the curing of the next layer hence compromising the integrity of the bond between the 2 layers.
On the other hand, if one is working with an epoxy resin with a slow cure (low pot life), then one is at an advantage of pouring the epoxy all at once, being patient as the mass of epoxy resin cures slowly and finally producing a tough, durable and beautiful surface.
Be sure to work at a controlled temperature as per the manufacturer’s instruction when doing thick pours all at once due to exothermic nature of the curing reaction.
Patience is the key when waiting for the epoxy resin to cure and even more important when dealing with thick pours. As such, we often drip some of the epoxy resin for the thick pour project in one or two disposable jars where we can simulate the curing stage without having to disturb our real project. This tip will save you a lot.
ANTI-BUBBLING STRATEGIES FOR EPOXY RESIN FOR THICK POURS
Avoid vigorous stirring. Avoid using blenders or round spatulas for your stirring and instead uses a flat metallic spatula that could significantly reduce bubbles.
Beware that high viscosity epoxy resin has a higher likelihood to produce bubbles than low viscosity epoxy resin. Although this choice will be dictated by your specific project, if you have the choice of viscosity, then go for a low viscosity epoxy resin.
CONCLUSION
Thick pour epoxy resins are very important in art and craft. The list for possible thick pour projects is endless, especially coupled with the potential to add pigments to epoxy. The primary factors to watch out for are maximum pour thickness per layer and working time. In addition, there are other bonus factors that make the application of thick pours close, and that include eco-friendliness, self-leveling properties, pigment compatibility, and UV resistance. There are a few tips to remember when using the best epoxy resin for thick pours, including effective curing and anti-bubbling strategies for epoxy resin for thick pours.
