How to choose epoxy resin for pouring countertops. Epoxy resin for pouring countertops: which one to choose Epoxy resin mg epox strong

The kit includes a clear resin and a clear hardener.

With the help of transparent epoxy resin, it is possible to create products of complex spatial shape, for this reason the name 3D resin is also used. The technology for creating finished products is typical for epoxy resins - a hardener is introduced into the liquid resin part, the mixture is mixed, and then poured into the finished mold, where it hardens.

The main advantage of this compound is transparency, the material will not become cloudy over time even under direct rays. sunlight, so this resin is successfully used to create decorative elements interior. Another important property of this compound - low viscosity, this is especially important when pouring small parts complex shape. The compound flows around each element, releasing air bubbles, resulting in high quality products. In addition, the resin can be bought inexpensively. Due to the transparency of the epoxy resin, the designer opens up rich opportunities for creativity in introducing various products of the author's work into the thickness of the material - these can be stones, insects, figurines, cards.

Scope of transparent epoxy resin for potting

Opti's transparent epoxy allows you to create durable products that retain their transparency for many years. The manufacturer recommends creating products with a thickness of 10 to 100 mm, but products of smaller thickness are also excellent. In principle, the scope of the compound is limited only by the imagination of the person using the 3D resin for pouring. It is most often used for:

Creating transparent tables and countertops complex shapes;

Making various figurines;

Castings of charms and pendants;

Restoration and decoration various materials(wood, stone) by pouring;

Creation various decorations with a flat surface;

Optically transparent resin for creativity provides a person with an inexpensive tool for creating unique products. For example, using various dyes, you can create an optical 3D illusion. It can be fish in an aquarium or a submarine - everything is limited only by the desire of a person. AT this case paints and a mixture of resin with a clear hardener are applied layer by layer into the mold, resulting in a full three-dimensional image, set in a layer of transparent epoxy.

It is also popular to use a transparent resin in combination with a phosphor, which is a powder that absorbs light, and in the dark it begins to radiate it, creating a soft and eye-pleasing glow. Using the compound, you can create a transparent tabletop by introducing a phosphor into it, as well as create a backlight in it by placing LEDs inside the resin.

The use of this compound allows you to create interior items for your home that cannot be purchased in retail, because they are 100% copyright, while the price of the resin is low.

The choice of fillers and dyes for epoxy resins

Transparent epoxy resin can be the basis for creating colored products. Dyes are widely used natural materials(for example, mica) covered with oxide films that give the desired color. Since the dye particles are indistinguishable to the human eye (the size is from 5 to 200 microns), they are evenly distributed in the thickness of the product, giving it a pleasing color to the eye. Dyes based on solutions of organic dyes are also common.

Almost any material can be used as a filler - insects, natural and artificial materials, various jewelry, glow powder, etc.

Specifications of Opti Clear Epoxy

Mode of application

To mix resin with hardener, use a ratio of 100:40 w.h. 40 grams of hardener is taken per 100 grams of resin.

First you need to mix the resin part for 2 minutes, it is best to use a drill or a mixer with a nozzle for high-quality mixing. Then you should enter required amount hardener, calculated in accordance with technical specifications resins. After that, using a mixing device, mix the resulting mixture for 2-3 minutes, then pour it into the working container, mix again and immediately begin application.

Important! The quality of the surface depends on the quality of mixing the resin with the hardener.

When mixing, air bubbles form in the compound, to eliminate them from the resin, the resin and hardener can be mixed in a static mixer. Another way to remove bubbles from ready mix– by placing the mixture or poured mold in a vacuum unit. It is important to remove the resin from the unit to air after removing the bubbles, since the workpiece will deform and turn yellow during curing in vacuum.

For pouring small parts weighing up to 200 gr. produces a flat and smooth surface.

For the manufacture of large products in a mass of 300 g or more, it is necessary to fill in layers, while the thickness of the first layer should be no more than 15 mm, the thickness of each subsequent layer - 10 mm. When applying the compound in layers, you need to wait for the previous layer to dry to a tack. Approximate time between pouring a new layer is about 14-17 hours. In the case of hardening of the top layer, the previous layer must be matted with fine sandpaper and degreased.

It is important that the surface where the transparent resin will be applied is pre-matted with fine sandpaper and degreased. It is undesirable to heat the compound above 25-30 degrees, because this may cause deformation and yellowing.

Complete hardening of the material occurs within 2-3 days, it is recommended to withstand the product until active use up to 5 days.

Filling 3D products with transparent epoxy resin

The main danger when pouring molds with resin is the occurrence of air bubbles that remain already in finished product. To avoid this, it is enough to pour a mixture of epoxy resin with a transparent hardener several times from one vessel to another, leaving bubbles on the walls of the vessels. Large bubbles can be removed mechanically- for example, a needle.

It is important to remember that the mold for pouring must be dry and clean with a flat surface, all shape defects will inevitably appear on the surface of the finished product.

Epoxy Resin Safety Precautions

When you have to work with a large volume of resin for pouring, it is desirable to provide good ventilation– carry out work in a ventilated area, use an exhaust hood. Also, a protective mask or respirator will be useful, it is important to protect your eyes from resin ingress. In a liquid state, resin and hardener can cause damage to the skin, respiratory organs and eyes.

Shelf life

The shelf life of clear epoxy resin is 12 months.

Where could I buy

You can buy high-quality transparent epoxy resin with a hardener in Moscow from our company, located at Moscow, Varshavskoye sh., 125, building 1, section 9, of.

Epoxy resin is a material that has unique characteristics, which makes it possible to use it for the manufacture of not only aesthetically perfect interior items, but also highly practical and operational characteristics. Often epoxy resin is used to make countertops, or rather, to fill them in order to give them strength and amazing appearance.

This material is a synthetic compound of oligomers. Means not used in its pure form and is used only in composition of the mixture, since the material acquires properties only after contact with the hardener.

Changing the main components of the mixture allows you to end up with a material with different characteristics:

• solid;
• liquid;
• high strength;
• rubbery.

The use of resin depends on the modification of the material. In total, there are two types of "epoxy": chemical and physical.

Chemical is characterized by the fact that various chemical components are used to obtain the characteristics of the main ingredient, for example, polyester alcohols.

Physical modification is obtained by mixing the resin with substances that do not change it. chemical properties because they do not form bonds.

Advantages and disadvantages

The most important advantage that epoxy resin has is the preservation of volume during curing.. Compared to lacquer, which is also used to create outer coating, then it solidifies upon evaporation of the moisture included in the composition, which leads to shrinkage.

The curing of epoxy resin is associated with chemical reaction, while after complete drying, a perfectly flat surface is obtained, which is not subject to chips, deformations.

Also positive qualities epoxy resin is its acceptable cost. Compared to other materials that are used to harden the surface, it saves. average cost varies between 200 and 280 rubles per kilogram of product. If a wholesale batch is purchased, the price will be reduced.

Since in the process of pouring the countertop, stabilization of the wood base is observed due to the filling of the pores with the material, this leads to the creation reliable protection wood from the negative and destructive effects of ultraviolet rays, solvents and organic substances.

The main advantages of using "epoxy" are:

1. No shrinkage after drying.
2. Obtaining a perfectly flat surface.
3. Creating a coating that is resistant to mechanical stress.
4. The resulting surface does not require a special selection of care products, as it remains immune to impact. household chemicals.
5. UV resistant.
6. Effective appearance. Resin can create unique patterns.

In spite of a large number of advantages, this material is not without its disadvantages:

1. To obtain a high-quality filling, full compliance with the proportion of the ingredients included in the mass is required.
2. When working, strict observance of safety rules is required.
3. If a sudden drop in temperature occurs while working with epoxy, multiple flaky inclusions may appear.
4. Strong heating of the material will lead to the release of toxic substances.

In order to avoid the last two troubles during work, it is advised to warm the countertop to 50-60 degrees, and in order to avoid the release of toxins, it is necessary to cover the surface with a thin layer of transparent varnish.

Characteristics of the resin according to the characteristics of the hardeners used

Since it is not possible to use the material separately, and its use requires the presence of a hardener, the combination of these two components leads to a material with different properties.

Also, depending on the materials used, curing of the material occurs at a wide temperature range: from -10 to +200 degrees. In this case, the resin is classified into hot type and cold type.

The hardener in the resin plays the role of a polymerizing component. For these purposes, tertiary amines or phenols are used. The proportions of resin and hardener are variable and must be determined based on the input ingredients.

At its core "epoxy" is a thermoset, therefore, when interacting with the hardener, a polymerization reaction occurs, which is irreversible, which ultimately leads to obtaining the required surface strength.

For the formation of the necessary quality coating is possible only if the proportion of ingredients is observed. Usually 1:2 or 1:1 is enough for modern resins, which is indicated by the manufacturer on the product packaging.

There is a misconception that an excess of hardener will result in faster curing. But this is not true. The only way to speed up the curing process is to raise the temperature.. It has been experimentally proven that an increase in performance by 10 degrees leads to an acceleration of 2-3 times.

Overview of the main brands on the market

On the construction market several popular varieties this material, which can be used to cover the countertop in the manufacture of furniture with your own hands:

1. QTP-1130. A type of epoxy resin, which is distinguished by increased transparency and the ability to self-level after application. That is why it is recommended to use it when it is required to create a coating with a thickness of not more than 3 mm.
2. Art Eco. Products Russian production, which can also be used to obtain a thin coating, which is achieved by adding the correct amount of hardener. Additionally, the manufacturer specializes in the production of tinting compounds necessary to give the final product the desired color. Users also mention two disadvantages of this composition - the possibility of a yellow tint and incomplete hardening.
3. ED-20. Another product of the Russian factory. On specialized forums you can find more negative than positive reviews. Main disadvantage resins - a large content of air bubbles, which are almost impossible to remove. Also, over time, the coated surface turns yellow and becomes opaque. The only advantage is the low cost.
4. CHS Epoxy One of the best squads on the market, which is ideal for coating complex surfaces.
5. crystal glass. Resin characterized by its fluidity, making it ideal for use with complex fillings such as coins, lids, grass or flowers that are used to decorate countertops.
6. PEO-610KE. High-quality Russian resin that does not change its color over time, even when the coating is directly exposed to direct sun rays.
7. EpoxAcast "Epoxy", which is devoid of serious shortcomings. Throughout the life of the countertop, it will retain its quality and appearance. Also, the composition does not deteriorate when exposed elevated temperature, which allows you to place products near heating devices.
8. MG-Epox-Strong. The composition, which is recommended by many experts, as the only one for covering countertops. This brand has an ideal price-quality ratio.

How to work with epoxy

To get a real work of art when covering the countertop with "epoxy", it is recommended to listen to the advice of experts. In particular:

• solidification will occur faster in a warm room;
• in order to prevent deformation of the surface, it is strictly forbidden to heat it from above;
• mixing resin and hardener at high speeds is not allowed, as this leads to the appearance of air bubbles;
• to eliminate bubbles, you should walk over the surface with a burner, without stopping in one place;
• the appearance of non-hardened areas will indicate uneven mixing of the ingredients;
• you can correct the situation by pouring the mixture from one container to another during kneading, carefully collecting the remains along the walls and bottom.

Epoxy resin for pouring countertops: which one to choose and which hardeners are best used in the manufacture and repair of furniture. Almost any forum of carpenters and craftsmen is filled with criticism of ED-20 resin, through which people not only wasted money, but also spoiled the original material. The main disadvantage of domestic epoxy (at a low price) is a high degree of viscosity (not all air bubbles come out), and over time, the material tends to lose transparency and acquire a yellowish tint.

What is the best resin to choose for the manufacture of a transparent countertop? For coffee tables and writing tables, you can use acrylic resins designed for floors or bathtubs. For example, if the thickness of the fill does not exceed 3 mm, QTP-1130 is suitable, it has a high degree of transparency, as well as the property of self-levelling.

Regarding the popular composition of Art-Eco, the reviews are different, for some it does not harden to the end and gives a yellowish tint to the light. Others respond positively. However, for thin layers, this resin will likely work without problems, especially if a little more hardener is added. Art-Eco has good colors, if you want to have a transparent layer with some shade, then their use is 100% justified.

For more complex countertops, such as when working with fillers (lids, coins, herbarium), CHS Epoxy 520 resin along with 921OP hardener is a proven option. This is the most popular option. 520 resin is also often replaced by Crystal Glass, but it is more fluid, more suitable for thin layers, although the transparency is somewhat better (but not much). The proportions are 2:1, that is, one hardener for two parts of the resin.

Probably the 520th epoxy is the best option, although it is often criticized.

Good resin MG-EPOX-STRONG and generally everything from Epox.

Photoresistance tests show that Russian PEO-610KE resin and imported EpoxAcast 690 do not turn yellow at all. So if the table is exposed to the sun, then these options should be considered for the countertop.

It is also worth considering one important point- the quality of the compositions often differs due to expiration dates (the tags are re-glued in stores), fakes, and simply because of factory defects.

Fill errors

Often, epoxy resin for pouring countertops is scolded due to lack of experience when working with it. Even expensive jewelry resins harden unevenly if mistakes are made when preparing the mixture. Here are some tips for working with resin for countertops:

Use electronic scales when determining proportions. First, pour the resin, weigh it, then, based on this weight, calculate the proportions of the hardener, and then pour it in.

After mixing, pour into another container. If stains or uncured areas are obtained during pouring, this means that the epoxy resin and hardener have mixed unevenly. This is usually due to sticking to the walls of the container, so that better composition pour several times from one bottle to another, each time stirring for a long time.

Stir - with a spatula or a thick spatula, without removing from the composition. To avoid bubbles, mix the epoxy with the hardener with a thick mixer, trying not to bring it to the surface.

So many people are looking for a long time which epoxy resin to choose for pouring countertops, but it’s not the composition that is to blame, but the mistakes that the master makes, for example, when mixing the components.

Epoxy has unique characteristics that allow you to create aesthetic and incredibly practical things, from small decorations to floors in an apartment or house. Epoxy resin is also used for pouring countertops.

Such a coating is not afraid of mechanical and chemical damage and looks really impressive, especially when using the decoupage technique or similar. The whole process will require personal protective equipment and accuracy, but no special tools or special skills are needed. Read more about the fill method in our article.

Material Features

Two-component epoxy countertop potting, includes hardener and resin. After hardening, the substance does not decrease in volume and is not covered with cracks, perfectly fills small irregularities. The material is resistant to moisture, it cannot be scratched, but melts when exposed to high temperatures.

Usually epoxy is an expensive material, but it turns out to be cheap when compared with analogues for treating surfaces with an increased load on abrasion, moisture and mechanical damage. Price epoxy potting as of 2018, it varies between 200 and 800 rubles per kilogram, the wholesale price will be even lower, 180-190 rubles.

When the countertop is filled with epoxy, the wood is stabilized: its pores are filled with resin. As a result, the tree becomes invulnerable to ultraviolet radiation, solvents, and organic matter.

In addition to operational, epoxy resin also has decorative advantages. With its help, patterns, decorations, imitations are created. For example, a table with a flowing river pattern. Epoxy resin is beautifully colored, and it also allows you to create various forms(the thicker the consistency, the easier), although this applies more to the glue than to the fill.

Advantages of epoxy resin countertops:

1. After drying, the substance does not shrink.
2. After hardening, the surface becomes perfectly smooth, like glass.
3. Resistant to mechanical damage (dents, chips, cuts).
4. Immune to moisture and aggressive household cleaning products, therefore it does not need a special selection of care methods.
5. Under the influence of ultraviolet rays is not destroyed.
6. Looks impressive.

Epoxy resin for pouring countertops has its drawbacks:

1. To make a high-quality fill, you will need to strictly observe the proportions of the components.
2. It is necessary to work, observing the safety rules as strictly as possible.
3. A sharp drop in temperature will lead to the appearance of white flaky inclusions in the deep layers.
4. When heated strongly, the material will release toxic to human body substances.

Advice! Dealing with the last two shortcomings is very simple. To remove the white flakes that have appeared, heat the countertop to + 50-60˚ C. And so that no toxins are released during heating, cover the countertop with an additional protective transparent varnish.

There are several types of countertops made using epoxy:

1. Made entirely of resin, without support. This type is most often found in the manufacture of coffee or coffee tables for which significant loads are not planned.
2. Made from board and covered with epoxy as a protective layer. The role of the base can be played by a board made of any material: solid wood, multiplex, paneled surface, fiberboard, chipboard, OSB, etc. Before pouring, such countertops are often decorated (with prints, screen painting, paper elements, decoupage, mosaics, flowers, coins, shells - whatever).
3. Combined, when the resin alternates with fragments of another material, most often wood.

The base can have any shape (square, rounded), it is important to make the sides of the required height so that after the pour has solidified side surfaces the tabletops were smooth and even.

Advice! When choosing a material for decorating a countertop, remember that the more embossed the decorations, the thicker the filling layer will have to be made to dry out, it will take longer.

Brand overview

There are several popular varieties of epoxy resin that craftsmen use to create countertops:

• QTP-1130 perfect for creating a transparent countertop for a desk or coffee table, if the fill layer is not thicker than three millimeters. Resin differs in special transparency and ability to self-leveling.
• "Art-Eco" is most suitable for making thin layers, especially when a sufficient amount of hardener is added. In addition, this manufacturer produces excellent colors that allow you to give the epoxy any shade. Reviews about "Art-Eco" on the forums are different, there are good and bad. Of the negative points, the appearance of a yellowish tint in the light and hardening is not completely mentioned.

• "ED-20"- the main disadvantage is the increased viscosity of the substance, due to which it is very problematic to remove air bubbles from the mass. After some time, the ED-20 countertop loses its transparency and becomes yellowish. Master forums are full negative feedback about this material, the only advantage of which is its low cost.
• CHS Epoxy 520 (hardener 921OP) is suitable for working with complex fillers (herbarium, coins, caps) and is the best and most demanded material for the manufacture of countertops.
• - it is fluid, and therefore ideal for creating layers of small thickness and for working with fillers (coins, caps, flowers and grass), transparent.

• PEO-610KE- Russian-made resin, does not turn yellow over time under direct sunlight and under the influence of heat.
• EpoxAcast 690 - when hardened, it will not turn yellow, even if it is exposed to direct sunlight or near heating appliances.
• MG-EPOX-STRONG from company Epox is a popular and good quality product. On the forums, some recommend pouring the countertop exclusively with this resin.
• Epoxy CR 100 - excellent chemical resistance, wear resistance, antistatic.
• - has strength, resistance to direct sunlight and water, is used in the manufacture of jewelry, pouring glossy coatings and 3D floors, creating decorative products.

Advice! When working with use one part hardener to two parts resin.

The quality of the fill will be different depending on the expiration date, there are fakes, and in some cases factory defects.

As a rule, epoxy and solvent are mixed immediately before pouring in a ratio of 2:1.

In order for a do-it-yourself epoxy resin worktop to turn out to be a real work of art, you should take into account a few recommendations from professionals:

• the resin will harden faster in a warm room;
• in order to avoid deformation, it is impossible to heat the surface from above;
• next to a fire or under direct sunlight, the resin in the solid state begins to turn yellow;
• it is impossible to stir the hardener with the resin at high speeds - otherwise bubbles and subsequently voids will appear;
• if bubbles remain in the layer after leveling, walk over the tabletop with a burner, the bubbles will come out - do not linger on the flame over one place;
• the hardened substance exfoliates under the influence of strong cold;
• be sure to cover the countertop protective varnish, otherwise, when heated, the resin will release toxins;
• if during the pouring process uncured areas or spots appear, this indicates an uneven mixing of the hardener with the resin due to the substance sticking to the walls of the container;
• to prevent uneven distribution of the components, pour the mixture for filling from one container to another several times while thoroughly mixing with a thick mixer, spatula or spatula. Try not to bring the tool to the surface of the mass, otherwise air bubbles are likely to appear.

Often, epoxy resin for pouring countertops speaks negatively. As a rule, problems arise when the rules for working with it are violated. Keep proportions, take into account the advice of professionals, and the work will give excellent result.