DIY Coasters Using Epoxy Resin
If you’re wondering what to do with the scrap wood you’ve been collecting throughout your other projects, look no further. This simple DIY wood and resin coaster project is a great way to use up those scraps and create something purposeful and unique. To get started you will need to find a preformed silicone mold or create your own mold for your coasters. Check out this article to find tips and tricks to create a mold from scratch for your next resin project.
How Do I Create Coasters Using Resin?
Step 1: Cut the wood down to a workable size
- While working with the wood for your project you will want to cut your wood slightly thicker than the depth of the mold you are using. When pouring epoxy resin into the mold, you will need to clamp the wood and the mold down to secure it throughout the curing process (the wood will want to float). If you cut the wood slightly thicker, the clamps can be removed easier with less epoxy sticking to them.
Step 2: Prepare your mold and wood
- Always ensure your mold is clean and dust free before putting the wood and pouring the resin into it. These little dust particles can ruin the intended result.
- It’s best to seal your wood with a single layer of epoxy. This will ensure that air bubbles cannot escape the wood as the resin sets, and that the final product is stunning.
Check our article about Molddesign and preperation!
Step 3: Pour the resin
- Mix up your epoxy according to the mixing ratios provided on the container. If you wish to add color or pigments to your resin, you’ll want to do this after mixing the initial epoxy mixture.
- Secure your pieces of wood down into the coaster mold with a clamp, before beginning the resin pour.
- Begin pouring the resin into your molds nice and slowly, this will help you avoid those annoying air bubbles as well.
PRO TIP: If you do find air bubbles rising to the top after your pour, you can use a heat torch to quickly go over the surface and ‘pop’ those air bubbles trapped within the surface.
Step 4: Sand your project
- Once the resin has completely cured, you may begin to unmold your coasters. Don’t worry if the resin does not seem to penetrate the entire piece of wood in some areas, by sanding your project these imperfections will be corrected.
- Depending on how much thicker you decided to cut your wood pieces compared to the mold, you may have to sand down a larger portion of surface to level your coasters.
- Begin power sanding with an 80 grit sandpaper and sand up all the way to a 320 grit. You will notice that the coasters may appear cloudy or scratched up, this is to be expected at this stage. Finish this first step of sanding off by using a wet cloth to remove the excess dust before moving on to the next step.
- Now continue sanding the coasters by hand with a 400 grit sandpaper.
- Finish them off by wet sanding with a just a touch of water and a 600 grit waterproof sandpaper. This step is necessary to correct the cloudiness caused by the power sanding.
Step 5: Finishing touches
- In order to protect your coasters and enjoy them for years to come, you’ll want to use a penetrating oil-based finish.
- Simply apply the oil to the front and back of your coasters, then let it set for 15 minutes before wiping away the excess.
PRO TIP: Rubio Monocoat finishing oil is perfect for this project. Easy to apply, only 1 coat needed, perfect and smooth wood penetration.
What do I need to get started?
Hereby a list of the essential materials:
- (preformed) mold
- Epoxy Resin Clearfast 650ml
- If wanted, some pigment
- Mixing cups
- Stirring sticks
- Nitrile gloves
- Cover film
- Paint brush
- Painter’s tape
- Sanding paper
- Sanding pad
- Rubio Monocoat Oil Plus 2C
Or easily select our Coaster kit to create up to 6 coasters
GOOD LUCK!