River tables: How to use bar and table top epoxy with deep pour epoxy

Fully cured Deep Pour Epoxy is slightly less durable than Table Top Epoxy, so it needs a topcoat when it’s going to be used as a surface. We recommend against using deep pour epoxy as a surface without a topcoat of something like Osmo wax finish or our table top epoxy to give your surface an extra layer of durability.

How to use the table top epoxy with the deep pour epoxy for River Tables:

1. Apply a brushed on seal coat of table top epoxy to any wood that will be in contact with the deep pour epoxy. For example, a typical river table uses two slabs of wood side-by-side, with an open trench between the slabs that will contain the epoxy "river" vein. In this case, you would brush a seal coat onto the inside edges of the wood slabs, as they will be in contact with the deep pour epoxy. The seal coat is just a thin layer intended to seal the porous wood and prevent extra air bubbles from forming in the flood coats of your deep pour epoxy. If you need another seal coat, you can apply it four hours after the previous one. Otherwise, continue to the next step.
2. Wait four to six hours after finishing your seal coat, then mix and pour the deep pour epoxy by following the instructions provided with the product. If you intend to add color using pigments, you should add them during the mixing phase. After each poured batch of deep pour epoxy, use a heat gun or a propane torch to pop any bubbles that appear.
3. Allow the deep pour epoxy to fully cure; this will generally take three to four days.
4. Prepare the cured deep pour epoxy surface for a final topcoat of table top epoxy. Simply sand/scuff the surface of the deep pour epoxy lightly with 200-300 grit sandpaper. Once you've completed a nice, even sanding of the surface, wipe it free of dust using a clean, lint-free cloth along with either denatured alcohol or acetone to remove all the sanding dust completely.
5. Once your deep pour surface is clean and dry, you'll switch to applying a seal coat directly to the remaining exposed wood.
6. Wait four to six hours after that seal coat, then mix and pour a flood coat of table top epoxy to cover the entire surface of your river table. Be sure to follow the included instructions for table top epoxy, as they are different from those of the deep pour epoxy.
7. Allow the flood coat to fully cure before using the table as a surface. This generally takes 72 hours in a temperature environment above 75°F.