Epoxy Resin Calculator – Calculate how much epoxy you need
The calculation of the required amount of epoxy resin can be quite complicated. We have therefore created an epoxy resin calculator for this purpose, with which the required amount of resin can be calculated very easily. The correct epoxy resin mixing ratio can also be calculated.
Rectangular Resin Calculation
The mixing ratio between resin and hardener varies according to manufacturer and product. These specifications are noted on the packaging.
Round / Circular Resin Calculation
The mixing ratio between resin and hardener varies according to manufacturer and product. These specifications are noted on the packaging.
How Much Epoxy Do I Need?
The calculation for determining the amount of epoxy you need is a simple volume calculation. You simply multiple the length of the pour by the depth of the pour by the average width of the pour and then convert to liters. When calculating the average width of the pour, you can measure the width every 6 inches along the entire workpiece and then divide by the total number of width measurements you took to determine the average.
Thickness of your pouring?
Most epoxies are designed to self-level to create a coat that is 1/8 of an inch thick. Is that thick enough for you? If you are trying to create a thicker coat of epoxy, you’re going to need a lot more. If you want to create a thinner coat, well, you’d need less but you also probably shouldn’t try that. Epoxies want to settle out to a coat 1/8 inch thick, which is 0.125; it’s easy to add more to that, but it’s very difficult to make it thinner while keeping it level.
Making it thicker also requires the use of a dam or a mold to hold everything in. This means you may not need as much extra epoxy as you might think to create a thicker layer, since you won’t have any epoxy running off the edges.
General rule for epoxy coverage
There is a general rule to help you understand how much epoxy you need. For coating epoxies, one mixed gallon (half a gallon each of resin and hardener) will cover twelve square feet at a thickness of 1/8 of an inch. This may vary by brand though, so always check the manufacturers instructions to be sure.
Always have more epoxy on hand than you think you need. It’s better to have more than enough than not enough, otherwise you will likely need to re-sand the entire surface and pour your project again.
Pouring in Layers
Most coating epoxies such as tabletop and bar top epoxy require thin pours of no more than ¼ inch per application. If these types of epoxies are poured thicker, you risk an accelerated reaction, which will cause the epoxy to heat up, which can ultimately crack, fish eye or yellow. Understanding the desired thickness of the final project is critical to calculating the necessary epoxy for a given project. For deeper pours, use a pouring resin which can be poured up to 2 inches in one pouring.
Encapsulation Coverage
If you will be encapsulating items in your project you may want to account for additional epoxy. All items being encapsulated should be sealed prior to applying a coat of epoxy. If these items are not sealed prior, the items could soak up epoxy and ultimately ruin the item.
This can be accomplished by dipping the items into a properly mixed batch of epoxy or by painting on a very thin coat of epoxy. By sealing encapsulated items, you can reduce the likelihood of bubbles forming on the edges/surface of the encapsulated items. Be sure to account for the additional epoxy that may be required for this step.
Seal Coat Volume VS Flood Coat Volume
A seal coat is a very thin coat meant to seal the surface of a porous substrate. When pouring epoxy over a porous surface excess bubbles can arise as the epoxy soaks into and fills all the voids, which ultimately releases air. By pouring a thin seal coat (i.e. 1/32 inch) the air is able to rise to the surface easier than a thicker flood coat (i.e. 1/4 inch). Additionally, if imperfections do appear in the initial seal coat, it is often easier to correct in a thin pour seal coat versus sanding through a thick pour.
A flood coat is meant as a final coating and is often much thicker. Most epoxies require pours of no more than 1/4″ per application. Therefore a flood coat will often be between 1/8 and 1/4″. If the project were sealed initially with a thin seal coat, then bubbles should not be as numerous in the flood coat. This is why this coat can be poured more liberally.
Some Epoxy mixing Tips
Only dispense the epoxy resin and hardener into clean plastic, metal, or unwaxed paper mixing cup. Do not use glass or foam mixing cups as the epoxy can dissolve many types of foam materials such as styrofoam. Glass mixing cups are not recommended due to the potential danger from exothermic heat build-up from the reaction.
Stir the two components together thoroughly. In cooler temperatures, add an extra minute to the stirring. Then, scrape the sides and bottom of the pot as you mix. Use the flat end of the mixing stick to reach the inside corner of the pot. Curing epoxy generates heat, so do not use foam or glass mixing containers.
If any pigments, tints, thickening agents, or other additives are to be added, dispense them into the mixed epoxy, and mix in thoroughly prior to pouring.
As soon as the epoxy has been completely mixed, it should be poured or applied. Do not allow the epoxy to sit in the mixing cup any longer than it needs to, as the cure reaction has already started at the time the two components were mixed together.
Resin Mixing Ratio by Volume or by Weight?
How you have to mix your resin depends on the product that you use. Because resin and the hardener could have a different density, weighing them would not work, especially if you need to measure big amounts of resin and hardener, as it gets unprecise.
So first check your manufacturer’s instruction on how the weighing has to be done – either by weight or by volume.
Then verify the mixing ratio of the product that you’re using. Casting resin often has a more complex mixing ratio, while “normal” Epoxy resin for less deep applications have a 1:1 mixing ratio. But also more complex ratios aren’t a problem, as we’ve got you covered with our Resin calculator.
Then you can determine the complete amount of resin that you need and if it is a bigger amount, you can break this volume down into smaller amounts of resin and hardener that you can mix separately.
Tipp: If you want to seal a surface with Tabletop Epoxy, you can calculate with around a depth of 1/16th inch.
Find the Best Epoxy Resin for your Project
Paint Thinner vs Mineral Spirits – Is There a Difference?
If you will be using oil-based paint for your project, you will need to consider the right substance for thinning and cleaning it up. Other than just color, an important factor when it comes to finding the right paint for your application is consistency. You might need to thin paint down to use it […]
Lacquer vs Polyurethane – The Differences of Poly Over Lacquer
Painting and refurbishing wood can be hard work, so you want to make sure that the products chosen bring out the best in your wood piece. There are many products available to do this, so it can be a little bit of a challenge to choose the products that offer the best results for […]
Is Paint Flammable? – Looking at What Types of Paint are Flammable
Paint is one of those products that all of us have used at some time in our lives, whether it is painting our home, furniture, wooden decks, garage floors, or some piece of artwork. One question that often comes to mind when working with paint is whether it is flammable. There is no straightforward […]
How Long Does Polyurethane Take to Dry? The Most Complete Guide
Polyurethane is the perfect finish for wood, and many wooden projects are not complete without a polyurethane coating. Before you start to apply it though, it’s important to understand the polyurethane dry time. There are various different types of polyurethane available – each one with unique properties and curing times. If you are asking […]
Milk Paint vs Chalk Paint – Looking at Chalk- and Milk-Based Paints
When it comes to milk paint vs chalk paint, the difference between the two may seem a bit confusing, particularly if this is your first time painting with this type of medium. This might be a difficult decision because both of these paints offer similar properties and results. You can also use these paints for […]
How to Paint Plastic – A Comprehensive Guide to Painting Plastic
From kitchen utensils and children’s toys to medical equipment and tools, plastic is ubiquitous and an integral part of our modern lives. However, it has one drawback, namely its poor compostability. Thus, it is not exactly an environmentally friendly material, which is why its disposal should be well considered. Thus, there are good reasons […]
Best Outdoor Wood Sealer – Find your Suitable Wood Sealant
To maintain your exterior spaces and retain their shine, you will need to find the best outdoor wood sealer and masonry sealer products. Outdoor sealant produces a topcoat that provides protection, water-resistance and updates the surface of walkways, fences, patios, decks, and driveways. As you learn more about how to use wood sealant, you […]
How to Paint MDF – A Guide on MDF Painting and Finishing
MDF is the initialism of medium density fiberboard, which is a popular wooden building product that consists of wood fibers broken into small pieces. These are mixed with wax and a resin to bind it, and then all of this is compressed under high pressure and heat processes in order to form a wooden […]
How to Paint Leather – A Comprehensive Leather Painting Guide
For those who did not know, you can actually paint on leather and other soft fabrics! This comes in handy when wanting to revamp old furniture, handbags, accessories, and even items of clothing. The options and projects for painting leather are quite extensive. In this article, we will explore some great techniques as well […]
How to Stop Rust – A Comprehensive Guide on Rust Prevention
Rust can have serious consequences for the appearance and properties of many materials. Metal objects in particular must therefore be protected from rust, but also from damage caused by weathering and aging. This can be done excellently with a high-quality rust prevention paint or spray. However, many questions arise for the inexperienced user, such […]
How to Paint Aluminum – Extensive Instructions for Aluminum Painting
Aluminum is a non-ferrous metal that does not actually require painting at low loads. This is because it automatically surrounds itself with a layer of aluminum oxide, which then acts as a protective layer againstt weather-related influences. Why painting aluminum can still be useful in some situations and which aluminum paint is best to […]
Best Glue for Paper – Finding the Right Paper Adhesive for Your Project
At some time or other during our crafting experiences, we all come to a place where our project may start to fall apart. Take courage as most DIY crafters make several attempts before they are satisfied with the final result of their work. This is why glue is one of the most essential items […]
How to Paint a Bike – A Detailed Guide on How to Repaint a Bike Frame
If you want to revamp your old bike, you can have the bike painted or paint it yourself. For this, you have several options to choose from. Airbrushing has proven to be a good and practical method for this. How it works and what you have to consider, you will learn here in this […]
Best Super Glue – Our Complete Guide to the Strongest Super Glue
Super glue is a popular and well-known product and can most likely be found in almost every home. The reason being that it is so simple to use and can repair a variety of items from wood to plastic, metal, glass, and even fabric. The glue bonds quickly and strong, providing you with a […]
How To Thin Epoxy – Your Complete Guide to Thinning Epoxy
When it comes to adhesive materials and sealants, epoxy resin is a great choice to consider. These mediums are known for their thickness and texture, which allows for a superior hold. Unfortunately, they are not compatible with every surface or project. Luckily, we have narrowed down some helpful tips on thinning epoxy so you […]