Understanding the optimal thickness for your bar top epoxy finish is an essential first step in planning your project effectively.
Nearly all bar top epoxy resins have self-leveling properties. This means they spread out on their own until they reach equilibrium, settling at a particular thickness. This is usually the exact thickness that a given layer should be when applying a flood coat of epoxy.
Many epoxy resins self-level to a thickness of about 1/16 inch. For a premium bar top epoxy, however, it's usually 1/8 inch. Not only is that twice the depth per layer, but it's also generally an ideal thickness for most bar top projects.
In this Primaloc Answers guide, we'll discuss the recommended thickness for a bar top epoxy finish, and talk about what you should be wary of when choosing a bar top epoxy.
How Thick Should a Bar Top Epoxy Finish Be?
We'll dive right into the fundamental question: What is the ideal thickness for a bar top epoxy finish?
The standard thickness for a bar top epoxy coating ranges from 1/8 inch to 1/4 inch.
For the majority of bar tops, a layer of 1/8 inch using a premium bar top epoxy resin suffices. Even in high-traffic settings, bar tops typically do not endure wear that demands a finish of greater depth.
However, opting for a more robust, 1/4-inch thick finish is certainly possible but requires at least one additional application, potentially more depending on the epoxy resin brand and type used. Attaining such a thick finish entails extra preparation, time, and effort, with an increased risk of complications.
Nevertheless, as long as you're prudent and make sure to follow the instructions of your epoxy resin products, it's entirely feasible to craft a flawless finish—even as a beginner.
Achieve a Flawless Finish with Primaloc Bar Top Epoxy
Here at Primaloc, we pride ourselves on providing epoxy users with a top-tier bar top epoxy resin that cures to a beautiful finish of unmatched strength.
Our premiere resin product, Primaloc Bar & Table Top Epoxy, is not only rock-solid as a protective sealant, but it's completely smooth and crystal-clear.
Additionally, our Primaloc Epoxy self-levels to a 1/8 inch thick layer—the perfect depth for most bar top epoxy projects. For further protection, an additional layer can be easily applied after partial curing of the first, enabling you to reach that nearly impervious 1/4 inch finish for the highest level of substrate preservation.
Not sure what you need? Most projects are fine with a single flood coat layer, which will self-level to 1/8 inch!
Want Something More Evocative? Try Epoxy Colorants!
Bar top epoxy is naturally clear, but it doesn't have to be. With epoxy colorants, you can imbue your epoxy resin batches with a variety of distinct tones, shades, and textures to give your finish a colorful personalized touch.
When handled properly, unmodified epoxy will cure with a high-level of transparency, enabling you to see the substrate material and anything else beneath or within the epoxy coating. However, if desired, it's possible to add suitable colorants into your resin batch during the mixing phase. These colorants include epoxy powder pigments and epoxy liquid pigments.
Epoxy Powder Pigments
The epoxy powder pigments are dry, powder-based pigments made primarily from mica minerals. These minerals are ground into dust after being mined and cleaned, at which point they can be used as a colorant for epoxy resin, which is a highly receptive medium for them.
Because mica minerals are insoluble, their inherent properties, such as a reflective sheen and strong coloration, are retained and exhibit themselves vividly within the epoxy.
This makes them a great choice for producing an eye-pleasing finish without the transparency that regular epoxy has.
Epoxy Liquid Pigments
On the other hand, epoxy liquid pigments are almost the opposite to powder pigments. These liquid colorants imbue epoxy with a smooth, clean, colorful tone that disperse evenly through a resin batch as their mixed into it.
What distinguishes liquid pigments from the powder ones is that the liquid pigments allow the epoxy to retain some or most of its transparency, allowing light to pass through the tinted finish. This can be highly desirable for projects that feature an attractive substrate material, an elaborate pattern of some sort, or object embedments.
Tips for Applying Multiple Epoxy Layers to Your Substrate
When applying multiple layers of bar top epoxy for your resin finish, here are several strategies to ensure a smooth process:
Tip #1: Eliminate air bubbles immediately after pouring.
Utilize a heat gun or torch to remove air bubbles from each freshly poured layer. This step is crucial for maintaining a pristine, transparent finish before proceeding to the next layer.
Learn more about removing air bubbles here.
Tip #2: Allow each layer to cure partially before adding the next.
It's advisable to wait about 4 to 6 hours between each coat, allowing time for partial curing. This patience ensures strong adhesion between layers and reduces the risk of compromising the integrity of the layer beneath.
Learn more about epoxy resin curing times here.
Tip #3: Accurately calculate the required amount of epoxy.
Precisely estimate the amount of epoxy needed for your project in advance to avoid shortages mid-application. Purchasing slightly more epoxy than your calculations suggest is wise to account for potential spills or mistakes, ensuring you have enough material to complete your project without issue.
Learn more about measuring epoxy here.
Primaloc Epoxy: Premium Epoxy for Premium Results
When it comes to epoxy resin, Primaloc Epoxy gets the job done. Our epoxy resin is premium-grade, with high performance in every category.
Epoxy resin can be beautiful, strong, and long-lasting—which is why you shouldn't compromise on quality. With Primaloc Epoxy Resin, you get the ultimate finish in durability and visual appeal.
Protect your surfaces by giving them a rock-solid epoxy finish. Choose strong. Choose reliable. Choose Primaloc.