All Epoxies Are Not Created Equal
We are all familiar with the phrase “all men are created equal,” a great sentiment, the same though cannot be said about epoxy. Many people think of epoxy resin as a glue, a sealer for flooring, objects, or a wide variety of commercial purposes. While true to a degree, modern-day technology has developed formulations that are designed for use in very specific applications in controlled environments.
Epoxy was originally invented in the 1930s to be used in dentistry but quickly evolved into a plethora of adhesives. Epoxies are still used today to line water tanks, repair bridges, and many other commercial uses. But, it has taken on a whole new life in the construction industry and the arts and crafts world.
Like most commodities, epoxy ranges in manufactured quality and price. Introduce pigments, mica flakes, additives, variables like heat and humidity, and you better have some experience to lean on to get you that bubble-free, crystal clear look you and working so hard for as a lot can go wrong. I’m here to help you choose the right epoxy for the job.
Epoxies used in the construction and arts and crafts can be divided into three classifications:
- Countertop epoxy, tabletop, epoxy, or finish-coat are epoxies that are designed to be poured over a finished substrate to provide a high gloss protective layer at ¼” or less. WHAT TO WATCH FOR? A well-formulated epoxy for this application should have good ultra-violet light protection and a high heat rating to protect against ambering. Also, good bubble release, zero water retention rate, and a slew of flow agents and other additives to make sure every job is successful.
- Casting epoxies are made to pour thicker than ¼” up to as much as 3″ or 4″ deep for river tables, cutting boards, coasters. WHAT TO WATCH FOR? Pay attention to the demolding time of your project as some deep cast epoxies can typically take up to a week to dry properly vs a crystal-clear epoxy with a low thermic rate that can be demolded in 24 to 48 hours. There are many types of casting epoxies and selecting the right one is essential to provide a great finished product that won’t crack, bubble, foam, or be too flexible or too hard for the project.
- Metal Illusion floor epoxy is a 2:1 mix made to layout at 10-14mil on an epoxy flooring coating application. It can be pigmented with metallic effects, acrylics, or dispersion colors or simply used as a crystal-clear topcoat. WHAT TO WATCH FOR? With unparalleled bubble release, it creates a beautiful, long-lasting floor when applied correctly over one of the suitable primers using the right tools. It can be used over wood, concrete, canvas, and most any other well-prepared substrate.
For advice on your upcoming epoxy work or leisure project, you can always reach out to Tim for some sage advice.
The Wizard, that’s the name the industry bestowed upon Tim Phelps during his 30-years of craftsmanship and artistry in the epoxy and decorative concrete industry. He is also a true thought leader in this space, not satisfied with just using the product, he collaborated with a chemist to improve and develop chemically engineered proprietary formulas that outperform the competition and deliver superior results. Combined with the end-to-end systems and training classes for completing countertops, flooring, walls, and stamped concrete; working with Tim and iCoat is so collaborative you’d think it was ‘magic.’
Tim began his journey in the U.S. Military before starting iCoat and brought that commitment of service to help his contractors and tradesmen deliver top quality work to their customers. He takes pride in being best-in-class; and that shines brightly at the annual World of Concrete Show.
He has been featured on various TV home repair shows including, “Flip This House,” “Extreme Home Makeover,” and “SpacesTV” as well as various online productions.
Tim loves to give back and always makes himself available to those skilled in the industry and those looking for a start, contact him on 877-669-1110 or tim@icoatproducts.com