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SMOOTH MOVES BEGINNER TIPS TO CREATE A SMOOTH, GLASSY FINISH WITH WOOD EPOXY. By Matt Weber Bars, countertops, and table tops are among the most popular projects to feature a smooth, glass-like finish that highlights and preserves the wood beneath it. This durable finish is created by using a two-part epoxy resin that self-levels upon application. The epoxy can provide a clear transparent protective layer to see the wood underneath or can be tinted with powdered or liquid pigment colorants. The right coloring effects can produce intriguing designs or even faux granite or marble-like epoxy countertops. The job requires high-quality epoxy resins. I chose WiseBond Epoxy Systems and their Bar & Table Top epoxy, which is known for its ease of use and its high-shine, crystal clear transparency. My plan was to preserve the color and grain character of a coffee table I made from reclaimed tongue-and-groove pine that I salvaged from my grandparents’ old barn. This article shows how I completed my first epoxy project and offers a few tips to help guarantee success on your projects at home. PREP STEPS The Bar and Table Top epoxy is designed to harden over and preserve whatever it coats, so make sure you’re fully satisfied with the look of your project before application. Also, make sure the surface you’re coating has no “leaks.” For example, the coffee table shown had a hole in the trim at one corner, and when I poured the epoxy flood coat over the table, the epoxy drained through the hole rather than pool and achieve
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Home Improvement and Repairs | The Winter Issue
