5 EPOXY Tips I Wish I Knew As A Beginner!

5 EPOXY Tips I Wish I Knew As A Beginner!

MY TOP 5 EPOXY Tips I wish I knew when I was a beginner! With all of the Epoxy projects we have done in the last year, i get a ton of emails and DM’s about people wanting to try it themselves. So here i have compiled my top 5 topics for EPOXY beginners, and all the tips I have learned along the way!

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If you like this video, check out some of my epoxy projects!
– 10 EPOXY Mistakes Beginners Make – https://youtu.be/nSQFzjZa6aU
– CRAXY Epoxy Lava Table Build – https://youtu.be/Naq9wvJ45Y0
– HUGE 60L Epoxy River Table Build – https://youtu.be/9EZJBEceWdg
– CRAZY Floating Dovetail Gun Box Build – https://youtu.be/ZLPZDEhtPRQ
EPOXY Project Playlist – https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6r_4s0L34MPylsvav6S3NBV4szDi8h3p

Product Types From This Video
Ecopoxy Brand Resin I use
– Tabletop – Think pour – https://geni.us/VaiYXBV (Amazon)
– Liquid Plastic – Up to 1.5” Pours – https://geni.us/Y5cRN (Amazon)
– Flow Cast – Pours over 1” – https://geni.us/FRdR (Amazon)
– Pigment – https://geni.us/zNbvE (Amazon)

Totalboat Brand Resin I use
– Table Top Epoxy – https://geni.us/2LHe0t (Amazon)
– General Application – https://geni.us/rDIdOtQ (Amazon)
– Casting Epoxy – https://geni.us/uiwPQ (Amazon)

SUPERCLEAR Casting Epoxy – https://geni.us/XArW33 (Amazon)

West Systems Epoxy – https://geni.us/Zbb3v4 (Amazon)

Black Diamond Pigments – https://geni.us/fcxnw (Amazon)

Mold Building Products
Tape
– Tyvek Tape – https://geni.us/pH5VB (Amazon)
– Packing Tape – https://geni.us/BtOPT (Amazon)
– Caulking – https://geni.us/bkA96 (Amazon)
– Fondant tool – https://geni.us/8BGgu (Amazon)

Surface Prep
– Diablo Sandnet Products – https://geni.us/aOalJFj (Amazon)
– Mirka Abernet Products – https://geni.us/0WSvKAD (Amazon)
– Router Bit for Flattening – https://geni.us/ERUTuIt (Amazon)
– Automotive Polish
o Medium – https://geni.us/t8iSu (Amazon)
o High – https://geni.us/eOrVVEC (Amazon)
– Buffer – https://geni.us/Tses (Amazon)

Proper Mixing Tools
Mixing
– Drill Mixer – https://geni.us/fD4V8 (Amazon)
– Measuring Cups – https://geni.us/6gLVtb (Amazon)
– Nitrile gloves – https://geni.us/WT1QAF (Amazon)
– Torch Trigger – https://geni.us/zDpP9FX (Amazon)
– Heat Gun – https://geni.us/AmStBc (Amazon)

Finishes
– Rubio – Pure – https://geni.us/gVxyQ (Amazon)
– Pre – Catalyzed Lacquer – https://geni.us/K3zW6 (Amazon)
– Odies Oil – https://geni.us/oIXCn (Amazon)
– Osmo – https://geni.us/mozHXgO (Amazon)
– Wood Furniture Wax – https://geni.us/17F6G (Amazon)

MERCHANDISE – https://shop.johnmalecki.com/
PLANS – https://www.johnmalecki.com/digital-plans

Proudly Supported By:
Woodcraft – http://bit.ly/JM_Woodcraft2020
Timberland PRO – http://bit.ly/JM_TimberlandPRO
Titebond – http://bit.ly/JM_Titebond

My Top Tools and Product Affiliates
Woodworking Tools – https://kit.co/JohnMaleckiBuilds/woodworking
Metalworking Tools – https://kit.co/JohnMaleckiBuilds/metal-working-tools
Favorite Finishes – https://kit.co/JohnMaleckiBuilds/finishes
My Camera Gear – https://kit.co/JohnMaleckiBuilds/camera-gear

#BeginnerEpoxy #Epoxy #EpoxyResinTips

50 Comments

  1. CStone on July 14, 2023 at 1:53 pm

    Just a tip when using silicone caulk: After applying your bead, spray denatured alcohol over it prior to tooling. Makes removing the excess much easier and evaporates quickly. Soapy water works too, but then your form is soaked.



  2. Michael Pearson on July 14, 2023 at 1:56 pm

    I use cling film as a release agent. It’s great with resin and foam



  3. Kat Atomik on July 14, 2023 at 1:56 pm

    What do you mean”WAX” the seams/corners? What kind of wax? McGuire s? Paste wax? Board wax? Bees wax? I have all of these& evens lovely lemon wood protecting wax sealant for cutting boards and other naked wood. So… do I have what I need?



  4. Rick Troiani on July 14, 2023 at 2:00 pm

    Excellent video. I’m going to try Liquid Glass next, but for most quick small jobs, I keep going back to Z-Poxy. I know it’s a finishing epoxy, but I’ve been able to use it in the semi-cold, heat, shallow, deeper than I probably should, and mixes well with powders. Extremely forgiving!



  5. John App on July 14, 2023 at 2:01 pm

    Could one use hot wax to hold down the slabs? Also do you use roundover for the edges when finishing?



  6. JC 4 Evur on July 14, 2023 at 2:02 pm

    When I click your merchandise link it shows up as not being private.



  7. Kakes on July 14, 2023 at 2:05 pm

    Looking for good suggestions for dog tags for dog collars.



  8. Liam Walker on July 14, 2023 at 2:05 pm

    I think… Yeah, I think I love this guy



  9. David Ceballos on July 14, 2023 at 2:05 pm

    So like drop a $500-1000 on startup supplies? Lol



  10. Candice Johnson on July 14, 2023 at 2:05 pm

    Can epoxy be poured over Sherwin Williams semi gloss paint?



  11. Brandy Willeford on July 14, 2023 at 2:06 pm

    I thought you make the frame 1/4" bigger than the item( sorry this will be our first time attempting any epoxy but we are using it on Live Edge red cedar countertops



  12. Christopher Dickenson on July 14, 2023 at 2:09 pm

    I would like to put epoxy on a 3d printed project. Will these products work with PLA?



  13. Larry Barnett on July 14, 2023 at 2:09 pm

    Thanks for making learning fun…lol



  14. Bianca Powell on July 14, 2023 at 2:12 pm

    Hey I just want to say first. Thank you for doing this channel on resin. So I’m trying to fill some wooden bowls to make it look like there’s water in the bottom of them. What do you suggest?



  15. Carlos Irizarry on July 14, 2023 at 2:13 pm

    so you mentioned why cold room temp how about being too hot as I live in las vegas



  16. Heysus GS on July 14, 2023 at 2:14 pm

    What kind of resin can I use on hammered paint or any spray paint for that matter?



  17. pattycakes0077 on July 14, 2023 at 2:15 pm

    Nah, I think I’m just gonna wing it.



  18. rogerio santos on July 14, 2023 at 2:15 pm

    Thank you for the video, you helpe so much



  19. The 570 Experience on July 14, 2023 at 2:16 pm

    I have a tip for you since I do epoxy projects myself. In your video. You said that the only way to get epoxy off your hands is acetone. I have discovered that baby wipes work very well to get epoxy off your hands. It’s not going to work if it’s dry. But either way baby wipes work very well

    Tip #2…flex paste will stop any leak….its amazing stuff



  20. Angel Rentcar on July 14, 2023 at 2:19 pm

    I want to do a clear outdoor countertop. With a logo in the center. With led strip lights on the edges. What recommendations do you have for me? (First project)



  21. bwahh on July 14, 2023 at 2:20 pm

    Did it ever cross your mind that if you filled the casing with epoxy you wouldn’t have had to worry about trapped air inside the casing?



  22. You're NotSoSmart Bro on July 14, 2023 at 2:21 pm

    I see everybody using these orbital buffs and you can see the streaks from the lines they run with it when the light hits it at an angle.. Yet you all use auto polish which all detailers use random orbitals with. It helps to reduce hotspots and leaves a more even finish due to it polishing everywhere and in every direction. I just can’t help but wonder why nobody uses a random orbital on epoxy.



  23. Kyle Buher on July 14, 2023 at 2:22 pm

    What kind of finish should you use for a charcuterie board?



  24. mark fitzurka on July 14, 2023 at 2:23 pm

    I think I know how to resolve this issue. Just kidding. You know the last time i was watching MLB was back in the bash brothers era.



  25. G VanR on July 14, 2023 at 2:24 pm

    I’m making countertops and tabletops for my vintage campers. Do you have a recommendation that would be the most heat and water resistant? I would hate to go through all the work just to have it ruined in every day use. Or have the longevity be nil. Thanks so much for the awesome video! I won’t be using a form but the rest seems to apply.



  26. richard slater on July 14, 2023 at 2:25 pm

    Interesting and a lot of useful information thank you. One small thing – over here in the UK side of the pond, we say “Celcius” when we measure temperature and as far as I am aware, we are every bit as free as you.



  27. Cindie Jørgensen on July 14, 2023 at 2:26 pm

    Hello. Really nice work. I really want to get started with resin and absolutely love wood and resin together. But in some videos you can see the colored resin hitting the tree, is that okay? Should it just be sanded away? Sorry if there are spelling mistakes, im from denmark, so dont often write long messages in english😊



  28. Lori on July 14, 2023 at 2:27 pm

    This is so helpful 👍



  29. Jerry Mallett on July 14, 2023 at 2:27 pm

    How do you calculate how much epoxy is required for any job large or small



  30. Karlos Stark on July 14, 2023 at 2:28 pm

    3 2 1 que the snowflakes that try control you by saying wear protective gear….. Guys stay out of other people’s lives and worry about yourselves if people don’t want to wear PPE gear that’s there choice..



  31. Tara Washington on July 14, 2023 at 2:28 pm

    Is there a resin/epoxy that I can brush or roll on with out drip marks?



  32. Jason Chapman on July 14, 2023 at 2:28 pm

    Have you ever seen anyone use a glow pigment in epoxy in a project? Like Culture Hustle’s Lit powder pigments.



  33. Scott Morrison on July 14, 2023 at 2:29 pm

    What about a heat resistant finish for counter tops? Is there any? What are the best?



  34. Bobby LowKey on July 14, 2023 at 2:30 pm

    If your building a like coffee table do you need “deep pour “ an a layer of “table top”



  35. CB on July 14, 2023 at 2:33 pm

    I love all of the great tips but I’m horrified at watching you do massive mixes and big projects with zero PPE. Seeing so many people in the comments talk about wanting to try large (or even small) resin projects, and watching your videos for tips and inspiration and you don’t show or tell much of anything about protecting your skin (aside from the quick comment about gloves, and your warning seemed more about acetone than the resin), eyes, and lungs. It is just disappointing and irresponsible. Maybe your shop is equipped with heavy duty air filtration and circulation systems (which, you should still be wearing a respirator in), but you should at least highlight a warning that tells people they should not be doing resin projects in their basement without proper PPE.



  36. benny glaze on July 14, 2023 at 2:35 pm

    John
    Love the woodworking and Pallet videos



  37. Meowface Music eXperience on July 14, 2023 at 2:36 pm

    Instead of using regular wood to build color-painted stage props that will receive a decent amount of wear & tear over the years getting man-handled in and out of the back of my Toyota Tacoma, I’m brainstorming the idea of instead making solid-colored epoxy "lumber" and building props from THAT!! No painting!! Stupid? Brilliant? What’s the worst that would happen to a four-foot 2"x 6" beam of epoxy "lumber" that we chuck off the roof down onto pavement 20 feet down? Shatter? Crack once or twice? Stay intact (minus a few nicks and scrapes)? Epoxy lumber substituting for wood lumber 🤔 If you rated a wood chair’s strength at a "10," how might you rate the precise same chair (same sized pieces as wood pieces and all) made from epoxy?
    Thanks 👍🏻



  38. Na'im Mc Alpin on July 14, 2023 at 2:39 pm

    Uhh huh what app u recommend for making template cuz I CA find any templates for swords



  39. Vicki k Gibson on July 14, 2023 at 2:39 pm

    Ok, I have a very real question. I coated some mosaic table tops I created a few years ago (so everything was cured and in dry storage, so no worries there) with some UV Resin for outside use. I needed to coat them because the art was originally for walls, not table tops and there were some sharp edges. Since there are a lot of kids, and they use the tables, we needed them coated for safety. I did the mix and pour per instructions. I am not a stranger to studio settings, as I am a display artist. Having done the pour, and it was all cured, looking great, I put them outside onto the table settings. They were fine…until winter. Now the coating has delaminated in a spot or two and cracked. I know I can resand and pour more resin, (which I only poured to about 2-4 mil. thick, ) and put them back outside. However, is there a better method for this so they don’t keep delaminating and cracking? Thank you for any advice. Cheers from Canada. OH< Resin used was: UV stable epoxy polymer ECOPOXY for high build coating. Suitable for outdoor use…..yup, that’s what it says!:)



  40. Jimmy Palmisano on July 14, 2023 at 2:40 pm

    Talk Talk Talk



  41. Jin Jin on July 14, 2023 at 2:41 pm

    Which epoxy to use for a crack deeper than 3"? Or do you do multiple pours of shallower depth? (For a wood slab countertop)



  42. Ernie on July 14, 2023 at 2:42 pm

    Temperature… heck yes a big deal. Huge factor. I paid for that in my first dozen uses. This can be its own show.



  43. Benjamin Figuried on July 14, 2023 at 2:43 pm

    A lot of steps for me to make a small kitchen countertop for my tiny home soooooo after careful consideration I’ve decided not to make an epoxy countertop



  44. Ken gunnell on July 14, 2023 at 2:43 pm

    Great video. Have done a couple river tables and dozens of bowls with table top epoxy. To get a satin finish on top of a deep pour or table top finish I just sand at 320 grit then use a buffing compound then paste wax. Or I just use a buffing compound instead of the sanding depending on the degree of gloss. You gave GREAT detail!



  45. Michael Pearson on July 14, 2023 at 2:44 pm

    I made my first mistake in 1979 at the age of 19. I still make mistakes I’ve never stopped using it. I’m 62 now yes I’m addicted to resin art. I’m using mostly eco friendly resins now combined



  46. saeed badali on July 14, 2023 at 2:45 pm

    really? freedom unit? stupidity unit fits better as name



  47. Jorge O on July 14, 2023 at 2:49 pm

    Besides online, what stores carry this locally?



  48. HAT3!T LOV3!T on July 14, 2023 at 2:49 pm

    I am about to embark on this journey and lucky me…. Thank you for all of this valuable information



  49. Wolf Lahti on July 14, 2023 at 2:50 pm

    A few years aback, everyone was using West System epoxy; now it’s all Total Boat. Why the change?



  50. Richard Chiaramonte on July 14, 2023 at 2:52 pm

    rscripto
    Thanks for the great video. I have a job making solid walnut tables for a school cafeteria. The surface is supposed to be satin, but as durable as high school lunch tables need to be, which is very. The walnut is beautiful, but there are a number of knots and other imperfections, all small. I want to dye the filler black so it goes almost invisible. Do you have any special hints for this kind of epoxy use? Is there a particular type of epoxy resin that works best for this?
    Thanks