EPOXY FAIL | Don't Make This $1000+ Mistake

When working with epoxy, it's easy to make a costly mistake. We've made our fair share of mistakes and we want to share them with you so you can avoid them.
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Here's What We Used:
WOOD: Live Edge Walnut River Sets
FORM: 24" by 48" No Seal Form
EPOXY: Ecopoxy FlowCast
PIGMENT: Black Diamond Pigments "Dragons Breath"
WOOD FINISH: Rubio Monocoat Pure 2C Oil
Let us know if you have any questions or suggestions for future videos.
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[oicoi]

As a sidenote, it's really good that you upload a video on a failed project. Youtube generally paints an overly optimistic image of these epoxy projects. Thanks for sharing this valuable lesson.

[paul]

Easy... Four tapered legs, 60s style, that go through the epoxy/wood (curved upwards, like a bowl), that support a glass table top above. So you use the curved piece here as a magazine/remotes shelf, with a functional flat (tempered) glass table above that you can still see the cool effect!

[robynhamilton]

I would flip it on edge and use it as the fantastically, awesome, curved front to a bar. Add a bar top and some shelving bolted to the back of it and it would look incredible. You could even possibly repeat your "mistake" on a smaller scale to make some matching bar stools which should have the curve.

[IanVonEssex]

Pour a slim layer of epoxy over wood side to prevent future warping and a clear layer over top to level it (you can even do some cnc 3d waves on that red epoxy to make it pop more beneath clear epoxy).

[warningkomonkey]

A 1" brushed stainless riser in each corner supporting a nice piece of glass, some 4" feet underneath, and you've got an amazing coffee table

[muaddubby]

I've had similar bad results with a table top made out of many glued up pieces which would later bend due to regular heat and humidity. Solution was to fill up a tub with hot water, leave it on top of the tub and weigh it down flat (not immersed in the water, just exposed to vapor), and cover the whole thing with a shower curtain. Left as-is for a few hours. Then removed, and weighed down flat on the floor with heavy objects. The following day I carved two notches in the back (across the pieces) and installed angle iron pieces (pre-drilled for counter sunk screws) across the piece. Have had no more issues after this.

[davekeating]

That's a nice gentle curve. It would really pop as a front panel for a reception / cash desk in a business where you don't need a big desk. Put some recessed lighting over it so you can really see the depth and colour.

[jainey]

the colour is gorgeous. I'm late to the party but I can see it as a really cool headboard for a bed. Be great to know what you ended up doing with the piece

[ironpuma]

I would rip it down the middle and create 2 “curved” benches. Make a base or some legs that incorporate curves in them as well and it will look like the curved top was intentional.

[nikiembers]

I would use it as a headboard and just live with the unique warping, I love it 😀

[florianhermuller]

Put it back into the mold and cure it at 60* Celsius in an oven for about 6 hours. The epoxy will get soft and it will bend in its original shape. After that process the table will have greater physical properties than a not cured one.

[giveitallyougot]

Use it as wall decor. Put a florescent tube on the back, using the curve to direct light from the top and bottom.

[jacquesvisser]

Put an offset/floating glass table top over it. You'd still be able to see the piece but also have a flat surface.

[kenbrown]

I had same problem with one I did years ago. Moisten the bottom with some water and put it upside down in sun and it will flatten. Then coat the bottom with clear epoxy.

[nathank]

It's interesting that YouTube's algorithm kicked this video out 9 months after its creation.

If you still have the tabletop sitting around, here's an idea: slice it lengthwise into strips 1 3/4" x 1 3/4" x 48". Turn the strips sideways and then laminate them back together to create a gently curved tabletop. The top surface of the new top will consist of cross-sections of the original top which could create a really interesting striped/arced pattern. I'd suggest leaving the curve instead of squaring it up and making it into a coffee table or something else that will primarily see use from one side.

[TheKerokitty]

That would make a GREAT bench! There are a lot of dual sided benches in areas where people can sit all the way around it and enjoy conversation or stretch out to read a good book.

[Bryanwil]

That could be a decent wall mount or even a backdrop for a company logo. Some stainless steel lettering and lights would look dope!

[travisdevault]

Rip it into smaller sections between the boards, run the pieces through a planer to flatten, rejoin them and finish the wood side with clear epoxy layer to complete the table as intended.

[colaoliver]

As a retired furniture maker(18th century reproductions) I could see the problem when they loaded the wood into the form. NOTE: air dried finishes such as spirit varnishs, polyurethane, tung oil and the like will allow moisture through the film. It may take while but they will. Epoxy is an impermeable film. ( Polyester IS NOT by the way. Ask any boat owner.) Having only Oil on the under side was a massive mistake. I would have cast some epoxy sticks to support the wood then add the epoxy.
It looks like you wood had moisture in the wood and then it dried and shrunk causing the warp. Try milling out the back side a bit. Make some strong backs and clamp them to the top to add a little straightening pressure. Place in a sealed plastic enclosure with a pale of water for starters. Paint the wood with water from time to time. You need to slowly compress the epoxy as well as stretch the wood. If the clamps come loose add more pressure. Good luck.

[ModernLove]

You can probably still correct it by heating it and applying epoxy again on the other side to correct it.
Then use clamps and bolts.
Otherwise just use it as a fence or something.