Giving your table top an epoxy finish is one of the best ways to preserve it for years to come. Not only does epoxy require minimal maintenance compared to other types of sealants, but it also can be easily done as a DIY project without the need for professional help.
Yet choosing the right epoxy for the job can be trickier than it seems, as numerous new epoxy dealers have appeared in recent years, many of whom provide substandard epoxy that cuts corners on safety and quality.
In this article, we'll first talk about why your choice of epoxy matters. We'll then present our favorite epoxy choice for finishing table tops, detail its most prevalent features, and finally offer up some additional resources that may be useful to aspiring DIYers and professional alike.
Why does epoxy choice matter? What's the difference?
Even within a brand name, epoxies come in different variants. Though these variants overlap sometimes in their uses, they each have a distinct set of applications at which they excel. For the purposes of coating a table top, by far the ideal choice is most often a table top epoxy.
But once you know what type of epoxy you need, there's still sorting out which brand to buy. These days, there are so many epoxy resin brands to choose from. While some of them have been around for many years, many have only recently come to exist. Either way, that means there's a lot to sift through, and many of the available choices are not particularly great.
A lot of epoxy brands these days are made overseas, in places with less oversight than the U.S. When imported, these epoxies don't have to undergo the same scrutiny for quality and safety assurance, and as a result, they're often made from worse materials to allow their manufacturers to list them at a lower price. But upfront cost can be deceptively expensive later on, if you're force to deal with a faulty finish.
To avoid this issue, we recommend using a premium-grade epoxy from a reputable dealer with a consistent history of high quality and comprehensive customer support, which leads us to our next section: what is the best epoxy table coating?
What is the best epoxy table coating?
Among table top epoxy options, there's none better than UltraClear Table Top Epoxy. This premium table top epoxy coating is incredibly strong, resistant to chemicals, and cures to a crystal-clear finish—perfect for preserving and showcasing the beauty of any underlying material, such as wood.
Let's consider some of UltraClear Table Top Epoxy's main features.
High Durability
UltraClear Table Top Epoxy exhibits top-tier strength, with an exceptional hardness rating. On the Shore hardness scale, it rated a 98 out of 100—nearly perfect, and well above most other epoxies. This means there's no need to worry constantly about scratches, as its high endurance allows it to repel many forms of physical damage.
Furthermore, in the rare case where wear and tear finally take their toll, UltraClear Table Top Epoxy is easy to restore, with just a light sanding and a fresh coating being all that's needed to return it to peak condition.
Chemical Resilience
In addition to physical strength, UltraClear Table Top Epoxy also has substantial resistance to various chemicals. These include many solvents, oils, grease, and other forms of residue that might make contact.
Even harsh chemicals like bleach or acetone can be tolerated long enough to wipe them away. For anything else, a simple cleanup with soap and warm water should do the trick.
Waterproof Surfaces
A common concern for sealing table tops is how well a sealant can handle liquids and other permeating substances. With UltraClear Table Top Epoxy, those are no issue. The tightknit bond it forms with itself and the substrate material is waterproof, preventing liquids from penetrating the epoxy exterior. The result is a cleaner, stain-free epoxy finish.
Low Maintenance, Convenient Cleaning
Once cured, UltraClear Table Top Epoxy requires very little maintenance or upkeep. Because of how durable it is, there's not much need for frequent care, and it also doesn't require regular reapplication, unlike many other sealants.
Additionally, you can expect a minimum lifespan of 7 years from UltraClear Table Top Epoxy—and even more, if you take good care of it.
Furthermore, cleaning an UltraClear Epoxy surface is a simple affair. Warm water and soap will do the trick nearly every time. You can also use glass cleaner (e.g., Windex) or multi-surface cleaner instead.
Additional Resources
Here are some additional resources you may find useful:
- How to apply epoxy to a table top—Unfamiliar with epoxy? Hoping to DIY it? Learn how to apply it to a table top here.
- How to achieve a perfect river vein in your river table project—If you're curious about river tables or ready to experiment with making one, this is the guide to read.
- 5 Remarkable Types of Epoxy Table Tops—Not sure what kind of epoxy table top to make? Take a look at a few examples by other UltraClear users here.
UltraClear Epoxy: Resin products of unmatched quality
As with any material, epoxy resin has both pros and cons. But no other sealant has so few weaknesses, and that's what puts epoxy above all other options when it comes to being a finish for high-traffic fixtures and furniture such as countertops, table tops, and bar tops. And among epoxy resin products, there are none that match the quality of UltraClear.
You can find our UltraClear Epoxy products on the following pages:
- UltraClear Bar & Table Top Epoxy: The classic choice for bar tops, countertops, and table tops. Rock-solid, waterproof, and crystal-clear.
- UltraClear Deep Pour Epoxy: Our deep pour casting resin. Ideal for thick layers, such as those needed for river tables.
- UltraClear Art & Craft Epoxy: Our arts and crafts resin, designed for smaller artistic endeavors which typically involve resin molds and require a bit more fluidity than bar top epoxy.
Epoxies that endure, with minimal upkeep
With high chemical and physical resistance, UltraClear resins can withstand and endure many forms of wear and tear without breaking a sweat or showcasing any cosmetic damage.
Plus, in addition to its ease of application, they also require little upkeep to maintain its pristine appearance. With a high-quality epoxy finish, you can expect a minimum lifespan of 7 years, with no need for reapplication. Beyond that, it's a breeze to renew that coating, requiring only a light sanding and a fresh layer of epoxy.
Expert support from our resin specialists
For more information about epoxy, or for assistance with your epoxy project, contact us at UltraClear Epoxy, where you can speak with one of our epoxy experts. During business hours, you can also text chat online with one of our resin specialists by clicking the Help button at the bottom of your screen.
