8 Best Epoxy Resins for Wood (2022)

Perhaps you just got done building a dining room table, or maybe you just finished up an arts and crafts sign and want to protect it. Both are prime examples of when you want to use an epoxy resin.

But epoxy resins are a prime example of a situation where you get one chance to do the job right. Once the resin dries, it’s a nightmare to get back off – if you even can.

That’s why we took the time to track down and review eight of the best epoxy resins out there. That way, you can purchase the best one with confidence and get the results you want on your project the first time.

OUR FAVORITES

Best Epoxy Resins on the market

1. ProMarine Supplies Art Resin – Best Overall

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Size: 1 Gallon

You get one shot to apply the right resin on your project, so why not go with the best of the best? ProMarine Supplies has an outstanding resin product, and it’s sure to give you the finish you want on your wood project.

It’s completely non-toxic and doesn’t put off fumes, so you can use it both indoors and outdoors without any worries. It’s extremely easy to use, and it works on just about any kind of project you need it for, not just wood. That’s a big deal, because a gallon of resin is way more than you will need for most projects.

But since it works on so many different projects, it’s easy to save and store for when you’ll need it again. We do wish there was a smaller size option than one gallon, but if you’re a habitual DIYer, then you’ll find a use for all of it at some point.

Finally, this resin is completely food-safe, so if you’re looking to put it on countertops or dining room tables, you’re good to go.

Pros

• Bulk size is great for large projects
• Safe for indoor and outdoor use
• Easy to use
• Works on all kinds of projects
• Food safe

Cons

• No smaller size options

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2. Janchun Crystal Clear Epoxy Resin Kit – Runner Up

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Size: 32 Ounces

If you really don’t need a full gallon of resin, and don’t want to spend the extra money for a product you won’t use, then the Janchun Crystal Clear Epoxy Resin Kit is another outstanding choice. Instead of a 1-gallon container, it comes in a much smaller 32-ounce option, which makes it an excellent choice for smaller projects.

It’s self-leveling and extremely easy to use, which is a huge perk for beginners. Even better, it gives you a crystal-clear finish without any yellowing, and you can mix and apply it either indoors or outdoors!

Just keep in mind that it is more expensive per ounce, so if you think that you might need more resin now or in the future, then the ProMarine Supplies Art Resin is likely a better choice – even if it does cost you a little more upfront.

But if you don’t need a ton of resin then this is the way to go.

Pros

• Self-leveling product
• Easy to use
• Safe for indoor and outdoor use
• Crystal clear and non-yellowing

Cons

• More expensive per ounce
• It only comes in a smaller size option

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3. TeeExpert Crystal Clear Resin Kit for Jewelry – Top Customer Rating

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Size: 1 Gallon or16 Ounces

Perhaps you’re unsure of how much resin you’ll need, or maybe you need just a little bit more than a gallon. Either way, having the option to purchase in bulk or in small quantities is a huge perk that TeeExpert gives you with their Crystal Clear Resin Kit.

The entire setup is non-toxic and low odor – but not completely odor-free. Still, it only emanates an odor during the mixing and application process, once everything dries it is completely odor-free.

Just like all the other resin kits we highlighted here, it’s incredibly easy to use, since the mixing ratio is one to one. The end result is a crystal-clear finish without any yellowing, which is precisely what you’re looking for with your project.

But just like the Janchun product, it’s a little more expensive per ounce, which is why we couldn’t push it to the top of our list despite the fact that it comes in multiple size options.

Pros

• Two size options to choose from
• Non-toxic and low odor
• Easy to use
• Crystal clear finish without yellowing

Cons

• More expensive choice per ounce

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4. SigWong Epoxy Resin Clear Crystal Coating Kit

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Size: 40 Ounces

If you’re looking for a more affordable resin option for your wood project, then it’s hard to beat what SigWong offers. It’s self-leveling, easy to use, and completely non-toxic, which makes it a win-win situation.

But it fell out of our top three for a few reasons, and chief among those is that it can take a while to cure. In fact, if you don’t apply heat and you’re in an AC-controlled room, there’s a decent chance it won’t cure at all.

If you’re still a beginner, this can be both frustrating and helpful. While you won’t be able to get it to cure without cranking up the heat, it also gives you more time to get everything figured out. Most resins put you on a strict time crunch, but with this SigWong epoxy resin it gives you a little extra wiggle room.

Finally, this is an entire kit, and we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the faulty measuring cups. You need a perfect one-to-one ratio for peak results, but with the lips in the provided measuring cups, this is next to impossible.

We highly recommend investing in a different set of measuring cups if you plan on purchasing this resin.

Pros

• More affordable option
• Self-leveling and easy to use
• Completely non-toxic

Cons

• Can take a while to cure – it needs heat
• Measure cups are less than ideal

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5. HXDZFX Epoxy Resin Clear Crystal Coating Kit

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Size: 20 Ounces or 34 Ounces

Another extremely affordable resin option for your project is the HXDZFX Epoxy Resin. Even with its lower price, it’s completely self-leveling and easy to use, which means you don’t have to worry about whether you can figure it out.

Moreover, it’s non-toxic, which makes it an excellent choice for kitchen and dining room applications. But for everything this resin does well, especially at this price, it fell down to the bottom half of our list for a reason.

First, while the HXDZFX Epoxy Resin comes in two different sizes, it’s a bit disappointing that both size options are on the smaller size. This might not seem like a big deal, since you can just order multiple bottles, but it does mean that the included mixing cups are a bit too small for larger projects.

That’s because you need precise mixes and to take your time while mixing them, but as soon as the first mix combines out of the cup, you’re on a time crunch. So, if you’re looking to mix larger quantities, you’ll need to invest in different mixing cups.

Second, if you leave this epoxy resin outdoors, it will start to yellow, which is something the more expensive resins won’t do nearly as fast. But if you’re looking for epoxy resin for a smaller indoor project, you can save yourself a few bucks by going with this resin.

Pros

• More affordable option
• Self-leveling and easy to use
• Completely non-toxic
• Comes with measuring cups

Cons

• Will yellow if left outdoors

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6. EPE EasyPour Epoxy

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Size: 1 Gallon

With EPE EasyPour Epoxy you’re getting another easy-to-use and very affordable epoxy resin. But just like our top choice, it only comes in a 1-gallon container, which means if you don’t need a lot of it, you’re out of luck.

But what’s nice about the EPE EasyPour Epoxy is that if you do need a lot of it, then it comes with everything you need for easy mixing and application. It has two large measuring cups and a plastic spreader, but there’s a good chance you won’t even need that since it’s self-leveling.

EPE EasyPour Epoxy dries completely clear and won’t yellow, and it’s non-toxic and safe around food. Whether you’re sealing an art project, jewelry, countertops, or a dining room table, EPE EasyPour Epoxy has everything you need to do a great job the first time.

Pros

• Very affordable
• Includes two large measuring cups
• Includes a plastic spreader
• Easy to use

Cons

• Only comes in a 1-gallon size

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7. Dr. Crafty Clear Epoxy Resin Kit

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Size: 32 Ounces

Dr. Craft Clear Epoxy Resin might not be the biggest name in the industry, but if you know what you’re doing, it can be one of the best choices. It’s just as easy to mix and use as any other resin kit, but it starts to harden after 45 minutes.

This gives you plenty of time to apply it to your project and ensure everything is even before it starts to dry. Of course, if you’re in a rush or have children around, then the fact that it takes 45 minutes to harden turns from an advantage to a drawback in no time.

Either way, it gives you a clear finish that doesn’t yellow and is completely non-toxic. You can mix and use it wherever, and once it’s finished curing, it’s completely safe around food.

Pros

• Starts hardening after 45 minutes
• Easy to use
• Comes with a plastic spreader and everything you need

Cons

• Starts hardening after 45 minutes

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8. EcoPoxy FlowCast Clear Casting Epoxy Resin

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Size: 0.75, 1.5, 3, 6, 12, 20, and 60 Liters

Rounding out our list of resins is the EcoPoxy FlowCast. But just because it’s last on our list doesn’t mean it can’t get the job done. It’s still extremely easy to use, is self-leveling, and gives you an outstanding final result.

Additionally, it’s an environmentally friendly product, and it even gives you an extended working time by initially curing slowly. But even with all that in mind, the most notable perk of EcoPoxy FlowCast is the fact that it comes in seven different sizes.

No matter the size of your project, they’re sure to have the perfect size option for you. But it did fall to the bottom of our list, and the truth is that it fell there for one reason – the price. There are cheaper options out there than EcoPoxy FlowCast.

It’s by far the most expensive option we reviewed, and while the end results are nice, it isn’t any better than any of the other premium options.

Pros

• Tons of size options to choose from
• Easy to use
• Self-leveling
• Environmentally friendly
• Extended working time

Cons

• Way too expensive

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Buyer’s Guide

Getting the perfect finish on your wood project is about more than just getting the right epoxy resin, although that’s an important first step. While you should be fine with any of the epoxy resins we highlighted here, if you don’t do everything else you need to, then you’ll still be left disappointed.

In this comprehensive buyer’s guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to get the right amount of resin, how to apply it, and what you need to do to keep everything looking the way it should year after year. Additionally, you can check the video for illustrative woodworking.

 

Perks of Using Epoxy Resin

Epoxy resin is one of the most popular products to use to finish a wood project for a reason. For starters, epoxy resins do a great job at protecting your product. They seal the outside to keep various liquids out, and for porous wood, this goes a long way in protecting them.

Not only does an epoxy resin keep liquids out, but it also keeps humidity out. This means that you don’t have to worry about humidity soaking into your wood and dry rotting it, which is a pretty big advantage if you live in a humid climate.

Moreover, epoxy resins are extremely hard, which means they don’t show much wear and tear and last an extremely long time. In fact, if you properly care for a wood project treated with an epoxy resin, there’s no reason it can’t last a lifetime.

Finally, while epoxy certainly helps protect your wood project, another notable perk is its appearance. Epoxy resins give off a high-gloss appearance that makes your project “pop”. Whether it’s a dining room table or a sign for your living room, a high-gloss finish can take your project to the next level.

Drawbacks of Using Epoxy Resin

While there are plenty of perks to using an epoxy resin, they’re not perfect. For starters, they’re a bit expensive. They’re not the most expensive finishing product in the world, but compared to bare wood it can be a bit pricey.

Second, they can all be a bit of a pain to apply. That’s because epoxy resins run. So, if you’re trying to seal a table or another flat surface without edges, then you need to dam everything up with edging materials. This takes more work and time to do correctly.

Finally, they can all be a bit challenging to use properly. You need to get the right resin, the right tools, and have a ton of patience. You only get one shot to do it right, or else you have to do a ton of work to try again.

Bubbles are common for novices, although they’re completely avoidable if you do the job right. Another potential drawback to epoxy resin is the finish that it applies. Epoxy resin has a high-gloss appearance, also known as a “wet” appearance.

Tons of people love this appearance since it draws attention to the piece. However, if you’re looking for something a little more subdued, then epoxy resin might not be what you’re looking for.

Finally, epoxy resins don’t do well when exposed to UV light. Over time they can start to yellow, and this can ruin the finish of your project.

While there are UV-resistant epoxy resins, like almost every one that we recommended here, they all cost more, and this drives up the cost of your finish even more.

How Much Resin Do You Need?

This is probably the most important factor to consider when purchasing an epoxy resin. You pour epoxy, instead of applying it like paint, so you need to have the right amount before you start applying it.

While there are various calculators out there that can help you determine how much you need, the truth is that the calculations are actually pretty easy.

All you need to do is follow this general rule of thumb – 1 gallon of mixed epoxy will cover 12 square feet at 1/8″ thick. While 1/8″ is one of the most common thicknesses for epoxy, if you want it thicker, that’s relatively easy to calculate too.

For example, if you double the thickness to ¼”, then it covers 6 square feet. If you add another 1/8″, cut that number in half again to get you to 3 square feet. For every 1/8″ you want more, simply cut the number of square feet covered in half.

Of course, always check with the individual epoxy brand you purchase to see how far it will go, but the 1 gallon covering 12 square feet at 1/8″ is usually a safe bet.

How Thick of a Pour Do You Need?

It really comes down to what you’re trying to accomplish, but for most projects, a pour of 1/8″ to ¼” is more than enough. This thickness is ideal for tables and other working surfaces, as it’s thick enough to provide enough protection, but not so thick as to detract from the look of the overall piece.

Of course, there are obvious exceptions to this rule, like river tables. River tables use copious amounts of epoxy resin as part of the design, and sometimes these pours can be a full inch thick!

There’s no wrong amount to use; it’s just a matter of how you want your final project to look. Just keep in mind that thicker pours will require longer cure times simply because it can be harder for heat to penetrate for a full cure.

How Long Does It Take Resin To Dry?

This depends on various factors, including the temperature of the room and the brand of epoxy resin you buy. But there are several general timeframes that you need to be aware of.

First is the time that it takes to harden into place, when you need to stop working with it. For most epoxy resins, this happens anywhere between 30 minutes to an hour after mixing. But just because it starts to harden to the point that you can’t work with it anymore doesn’t mean it’s done curing.

After about 24-hours most epoxy resins will be about 95 percent cured. This means that you can move the project around, and it can be incredibly tempting to think you finished the job – but you haven’t. At a bare minimum, you need to wait at least 72 hours until the epoxy resin cures completely.

Messing with an epoxy resin between the 24- and 72-hour mark can lead to fingerprints, smudges, and other imperfections that you’ll have to work twice as hard to get out of the epoxy. It’s also after the 72-hour mark that you can apply a second coat of resin.

But keep in mind that these timeframes are just guidelines. Temperature is one of the critical factors that go into this. If you’re using an epoxy resin in an uninsulated garage in the winter, the epoxy resin could easily take a full month to cure completely – if it will cure at all!

Meanwhile, if you’re using that same garage in the summer and the temperatures in the garage spike to over 100 degrees for an extended period, you might notice the resin cures completely in just 48-hours.

And while temperature plays a big role, so does the epoxy resin you use. Some brands simply cure faster than others, and whether or not this is a perk or a drawback all comes down to how comfortable you are at using epoxy.

If it finishes curing quickly, chances are you’ll have less time before the initial settling of the product too.

Finally, the thickness of the overall pour can play a role too. Some pours can be two to three inches thick, and in these instances, you need higher temperatures to penetrate to the center of the pour for it to cure. It’s perfectly normal for thicker pours to take longer to set, and this isn’t something you need to worry about.

How Easy Is Epoxy Resin To Use?

Compared to many other finishes, epoxy resins are among the most difficult to use. Not only do you need to mix the right amount of hardener and epoxy together, but you are also facing a time crunch as soon as you mix the product.

You only get one chance to apply it correctly, and if you miss your window or apply the wrong amount, it can be extremely challenging to fix. Not only that, but you need to take your time when mixing to prevent bubbles from appearing, and you should use a heat gun to work bubbles out after applying it.

There’s a lot that can go wrong for a novice, which means you should probably have some test runs before using it for real.

Why Do You Have To Mix the Resin?

As soon as you mix the resin with the hardener, everything starts to harden, and there’s no way around this. As soon as the two chemicals mix, they start to react, and there’s no way for the manufacturer to get around this.

So if you’re looking to use an epoxy resin, you must mix it yourself. You won’t find a product that comes premixed, and if you do, it’s not going to deliver the same results or last nearly as long.

Can You Color Epoxy Resins?

Absolutely! All it takes is a quick Google search of different colored river tables to see all the potential possibilities for coloring an epoxy resin. Just keep in mind that you need to be extremely careful when coloring an epoxy resin.

Too much coloring can negatively affect the resin itself, and this can cause the epoxy resin to lose some of its integrity and overall ability to protect the wood surface. But when done correctly, there’s no reason you can’t color an epoxy resin.

Checking for Food Safety

While every epoxy resin we highlighted here is safe around food products after it’s finished drying, that’s certainly not the case for all epoxy resins.

Some epoxy resins contain chemicals that can leach into your food, which means that you absolutely can not use them for dining room tables, countertops, or other areas your food can wind up. Before selecting a product, always verify what’s in it and compare it against where you’ll be using it.

While we choose to highlight safer products even if they cost a little bit more, if you’re looking to save a few bucks, less safe options are out there.

Toxic vs. Non-toxic

Not only are there epoxy resins that you shouldn’t use around food, but there are also options that you need to mix in outdoor settings only. Once again, none of these products made our list, but if you choose a product we didn’t highlight, then you need to ensure that you can mix it indoors.

If you can’t, the resin and hardener will put off toxic fumes when you mix them, which can obviously have harmful effects on your health. Once everything dries, you shouldn’t have to worry about it, but it’s essential that you wear gloves and don’t inhale any of the fumes while mixing.

With the products we highlighted, you should still wear disposable gloves, but this is only because if the epoxy hardens to your hand, it can be uncomfortable and challenging to remove. Other than that, the epoxy resins on our list won’t have any negative impact if they get on you.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Applying Your Resin

Applying an epoxy resin might not be the easiest job in the world, but if you have a step-by-step guide to walk you through everything you need to know, then you can certainly get the job done. That’s exactly what you have here.

Just keep in mind that while this guide should work for just about any epoxy resin, it’s imperative that you still read the instructions that come with your particular epoxy resin to ensure you’re doing everything the right way.

1. Prepare

If the first thing you do when you get an epoxy resin is start mixing everything together, you’re dead in the water. There are a few things you need to do before you start measuring to ensure you have a successful experience.

First, you need to prep the wood. The wood should be completely dry, smooth, and free of any defects. Make sure there are no chips, cracks, or other damage, and you should sand down the entire area with 80-grit sandpaper.

From there, you should build a wall around the edge so you get an even distribution of epoxy resin without wasting any. It might take a little extra time and work to build the dam, but it’ll give the perfect results you’re looking for when you start to pour.

2. Measure

Once you’ve built your dam and prepped the wood, you can move onto the next step – measuring. Every product we listed here has a one-to-one ratio, and that makes this step a little easier. Simply measure out equal parts of the resin and the hardening agent in separate containers.

Getting the right mixture is ideal, so don’t settle for close enough. Once you have the exact same amount of resin and hardening agent seperated into the two measuring cups, you can move onto the next step.

3. Mix

You need to mix the two parts thoroughly. It’ll help if you slowly pour the two components together, as air bubbles can start to form if you do it too quickly.

You need to thoroughly mix for at least three minutes, until everything gels together. While you need to thoroughly mix the two parts, once again, you don’t want to do this too fast. Mixing too fast can bring in air bubbles, and air bubbles will ruin your final appearance.

Mix the two parts together until there are no air bubbles, but keep in mind that if you take too long, everything will start to harden before you can apply it to the wood. Generally, you have about 45-minutes, so there’s no reason to rush too much if you already have everything else ready to go.

4. Pour

Once you’ve mixed everything together, it’s time to start pouring it onto your surface. With most of our recommended products it’s self-leveling, so you can pour it all in the same place and gravity will do the rest.

But even with self-leveling products you should keep an eye on everything to ensure that you’re getting a perfectly even look. If it isn’t perfectly level, use a plastic scraper to level things out. Keep in mind that once it starts to harden it’ll be much harder to fix uneven spots, so take your time now and double-check it each step of the way.

5. Wait/Heat Dry

While many sites recommend a more passive approach at this point, in our experience, that’s how you end up with bubbles. Instead of just waiting around and hoping for the best, you will want to invest in a heat gun.

Turn the heat gun on its lowest setting and slowly work around the epoxy resin to pull out any bubbles that might form. All you need to do is aim the heat gun at the area with the bubbles and the heat from the gun will pull the bubble to the surface.

This will work until the initial hardening process of the epoxy resin has set. Once that’s happened, you need to wait. Once again, many sites will tell you that you can start moving and working with your project after 24-hours – don’t.

Wait for at least 72-hours before attempting to work with your project. Anything less, and you risk leaving smudges that will take a ton of time to get out – and you might never get the final appearance you want.

Once you’ve waited for at least 72-hours, you can move your project to its final location or apply a second coat. Second coats usually aren’t necessary, but you might need to apply a thin sealant coat if you’re working on an incredibly porous wood surface.

If you need a sealant coat, simply mix the hardener and resin together before brushing the final thin coat on. You don’t pour the sealant coat, you brush it!

Final Thoughts

After reading through the review and the buyer’s guide, we’re confident that you have everything you need to get the perfect finish on your product. But if you’re still not sure what you need, why not go with our top choice, the ProMarine Supplies Art Resin?

It’s our top choice for a reason, and it’ll give you a picture-perfect result on the first try. Of course, if you don’t need a full gallon of resin, the Janchun Crystal Clear Epoxy Resin Kit will do precisely what you need to, it just doesn’t come with near as much product.

But the important thing is that you get your resin kit on order as soon as possible, because while you might think you can put it off, every day you wait is just another day that something can happen to your beautiful wood project and put you right back to square one.

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