Step 1: Prepare and Seal the Wooden Surface

Start by selecting your desired wooden base. Ensure the wood is properly dried and free of dust or debris. Plane or sand the surface smoothly, removing all loose bark or irregularities. Cut and shape your wood sections to fit your table design—river tables often use two slabs with a gap for resin in the middle.

Wear gloves and protective clothing when working with sanding tools to avoid dust or splinters. Before moving to the next step, double-check the wood’s moisture content is low to prevent future warping.

Seal the wood surface thoroughly using a clear epoxy sealer or a thin initial layer of your chosen resin. This prevents air bubbles and moisture from leaching into the final cast, ensuring a smoother finish. Allow the sealer to cure as recommended before proceeding.

Step 3: Mix and Pour the Epoxy Resin

Carefully measure and mix your chosen resin and hardener. Always follow the specific product’s ratio—accuracy is essential for a strong and clear cure. For instance, “EpoxyTable 5-Five” – Deep Pour Epoxy Resin for Tables and Large Projects – Up to 5cm enables deeper, bubble-free pours for standard or large tables, while thicker pours up to 10cm can be achieved using “Epoxytable 10-Ten” – Deep Pour Epoxy Resin for Tables, Up to 10cm Casting.

Mix the resin and hardener accurately for optimal clarity and durability. Stir slowly to minimise bubbles, and if desired, add pigment for colour effects at this stage.

Pour the resin in manageable layers, especially if your design requires more than 5cm in total thickness. Allowing each layer to partially cure before adding the next prevents excessive heat build-up and ensures an even finish.

Step 5: Demould, Sand and Finish Your Table

Once fully cured, carefully remove your resin and wood table from the mould. Start sanding with a coarse grit and progress to finer grades for a smooth finish. Wipe away dust between stages to keep the surface clean.

For a high-gloss appearance or professional finish, use a polishing kit if available. Many all-in-one kits provide polishing creams and pads designed for resin surfaces. Finally, attach your preferred legs or mounting hardware to the table base—if you’ve used the “Geode O” – Large Wooden Board Table Base for Epoxy Resin Projects – 90x60cm or 120x80cm, it offers both stability and ease of assembly for your completed piece.