Calculating How Much Ol Loggin Tabletop Epoxy You Will Need

Calculating the amount of epoxy you will need can get rather complicated, and it oftentimes feels like you have no idea where to even start. Luckily, we’ve simplified that process so you can get back to pouring without having to do a bunch of extra math. Our Ol Loggin Tabletop Epoxy is a two-component (2A:1B) epoxy system designed for tabletops, countertops, and various artwork crafting applications which is VOC-free, 100% solids and is virtually odor free. The product is translucid and displays an excellent resistance to UV irradiation (excellent color retention over time). Best suited to protect or resurface several different surface types such as wood, metals, concrete, and more.

Prepping the Surface

Surface should be clean, dry and free of grease, oil, paint, curing agents, or any contaminants that may inhibit proper adhesion. Ensure the pores are open to allow the product to penetrate. To open the pores of a substrate it must be sanded prior to installation. In order for the epoxy to cure properly, your environment must be 70°F (21°C), and 30% relative humidity. If these requirements are not met, your epoxy will not set up properly and you will be left with very soft epoxy (soft enough to drive your fingernail all the way through).

Seal those pores!

We recommend using the Ol Loggin Tabletop Epoxy as a primer coat to seal the pores of the substrate. Proper sealing is necessary to ensure that the next coat (the flood coat) will be free of bubbles. The primer coat can be applied with a brush or a roller. It needs to be applied in a thin coat. We recommend starting with about an ounce per square foot, then mixing more as needed. The flood coat can be applied when the primer coat (the coat used to seal the pores) is past its tack free point. If the primer coat has been applied more than 24 hours, it is recommended to sand the primer coat with 100 or 120 grit sandpaper prior to applying the flood coat. If you are working in a dusty shop, which is not recommended, you will need to sand the primer coat before applying the flood coat to ensure you get rid of any dust particles that landed in the primer coat. Be careful not to sand too much, or you will sand through your primer coat and will expose the raw wood again.

Applying the Topcoat

The Ol Loggin Tabletop Epoxy is a self-leveling epoxy, so very little work is needed to apply it. Your topcoat should be measured at 1/16” thick to prevent air bubbles from getting trapped. Multiple flood coats may be necessary. One of the most important steps is to make sure that your tabletop is perfectly level prior to pouring. While the epoxy itself is self-leveling, if your table is not level, that will cause more epoxy to pool up on one side of your table than the other. Pour the epoxy evenly throughout the entire piece. To smooth out the epoxy, we recommend doubling up on a pair of clean gloves and spreading it out lightly by hand. It will feel weird sticking your hand in epoxy, but this is the best way to ensure a nice even coat. Very little spreading is necessary as this product is self-leveling. It’s recommended to place a tarp down prior to installation, as you will need to allow the epoxy to drip freely along the sides, which can be a very messy process. During installation, avoid excessive handling of the product to limit the entrapment of air in the film. Air entrapment can affect the appearance of the surface during the curing process. The use of a torch is not required.

Important Limitations

Cannot be used for exterior applications, even under a shaded area. When exposed to sun and weather changes, the product will yellow faster and the surface will turn whitish. The film will also lose its mechanical and chemical resistance properties. Not recommended for encapsulation applications. Requires a dry substrate. This product should not be applied to substrates that show high levels of moisture/humidity. Although this product may be applied in a wide range of thickness, limitations may apply when curing time is taken into consideration. Everything else being equal, the thicker the film, the quicker the curing time. Drying time and pot life will be reduced in a hot environment. Conversely, the drying time and the pot life will be longer in a cold environment. Never apply epoxy with a substrate and ambient temperature below 16 degrees Celsius. When applying an epoxy topcoat, as with any finish you use, it is very important to apply the topcoat to BOTH sides of your piece, even if the bottom will never be seen. This is so both faces of the piece can accept and release moisture at an even rate, which is important to prevent excess movement. When applying on non-conventional substrates, proper adhesion and compatibility tests must be performed. Do not clean the finished surface during the week following installation. Keeping the product stored at room temperature will make the application easier and dry times shorter.