Epoxy resin is admired for its resilience as a sealant and its captivating, crystal-clear finish. This plastic polymer material is made from two parts that, when mixed, cure from a liquid to an incredibly strong solid.
On average, epoxy projects tend toward larger in scale, often consisting of finishes for fixtures and furniture like countertops, bar tops, and table tops. These projects tend to need a sizable volume of epoxy resin to bring them to completion, with the amount needed hinging on the project's dimensions and configuration.
Having enough epoxy to complete your project without issue is essential, making it important to understand how much surface area a gallon of epoxy is able to cover. That, in turn, will help you fully plan out your epoxy project, so that it's easier to determine and acquire only what you need—without excess or waste—as well as to ensure you have enough from start to finish without interruption. Because that's how you achieve a strong, crystal-clear epoxy finish.
An Answer to a Common Epoxy Question
In this Primaloc Answers article, we'll provide our answer to the question "How much will one gallon of epoxy cover?"
We'll also show you how to calculate the total amount of epoxy necessary for your project, and, beyond that, we'll offer additional insight on preparing your batches, ensuring accurate mixing, and, finally, the application process, both for brushing and for pouring the epoxy.
How Much Will 1 Gallon of Epoxy Cover?
A gallon of our premium Primaloc Bar & Table Top Epoxy can uniformly cover a 16 sq. ft. area. In most cases, this is enough for a single complete epoxy layer on a table top surface or small countertop. However, the specific contours and features of your project area, such as raised edges or intricate designs, might require more or less epoxy than the standard coverage.
For instance, if your table top includes a decorative rim that stands higher, you may need to account for a greater volume of epoxy to achieve the desired thickness beyond the self-leveling capacity of 1/8 inch typical for a flood coat of premium table top epoxy.
For endeavors demanding more substantial layers or deep pour applications, you should adjust your calculations to fit those requirements. We recommend using our specialized Primaloc Deep Pour Epoxy resin for these tasks. Additionally, applying a final flood coat of our Table Top Epoxy can provide a flawless finish to any deep pour creation.
Use Our Handy Epoxy Calculators for Estimates.
You can get epoxy quantity estimates for your epoxy project by using our Primaloc Epoxy Calculators. These will help you measure out how much epoxy your project will need.
Simply choose the calculator designed for the epoxy you'll be using, then input your project dimensions and select any applicable options for a tailored calculation.
You can find our Primaloc Bar & Table Top Epoxy Calculator here.
If your project involves our Primaloc Deep Pour Epoxy, we recommend using our specific Deep Pour Epoxy Calculator for precise estimations.
You can also get direct advice from one of our experts by filling out the form on our Contact Us page.
Preparing an Epoxy Batch Once You've Started Your Project
After you've started your project, one of the first things you'll do is prepare the initial epoxy batch. For most projects, there are two coating phases: the seal coat phase and the flood coat phase.
Epoxy Seal Coats
An epoxy seal coat is a thinly brushed-on coating of epoxy performed with a smaller than usual batch of resin, typically the more viscous Primaloc Bar & Table Top Epoxy. The purpose of this is not to protect—that comes later—but to prepare your substrate surface for the enveloping flood coat.
The epoxy applied during a seal coat permeates the subtrate material through its pores, pushing out any residual air and releasing it from the surface. This prevent air bubbles from manifesting later during the thicker flood coat, resulting in a cleaner, stronger finish.
For seal coat batches, we recommend limiting the batch size to 32 oz total at a time; that's 16 oz of resin and 16 oz of hardener when using the table top epoxy.
This is because a seal coat takes longer to apply than a flood coat, and the working time of the epoxy suited for the task makes it difficult to apply more than 32 oz in a single batch. Instead, it's better to apply smaller batches, one at a time as needed—though rarely is more than one needed.
Learn more about applying an epoxy seal coat here.
Epoxy Flood Coats
An epoxy flood coat, on the other hand, is a thicker coating of epoxy poured directly onto the substrate, usually within 4 to 10 hours after it's been seal coated. This thick coating is the one designed to seal in the entire substrate surface, preserving it from many forms of damage, including physical, chemical, and moisture.
Tips for Getting the Most from a Gallon of Epoxy
A gallon of premium table top epoxy comprises two components: the resin and the hardener, often in a 1:1 mix ratio. However, it's crucial to note that this ratio may vary (such as 2:1 or 3:1) depending on the specific brand, so always refer to the manufacturer's instructions for your epoxy product.
Tip #1: Precise Measurement is Key.
Measuring your resin batch correctly is essential to achieving a strong, clear cure. To accomplish this, we recommend using mixing containers marked with volume indicators to gauge each component accurately.
Make sure you use the correct ratio for your epoxy, as well. For instance, our Primaloc Bar & Table Top Epoxy uses a 1:1 ratio of resin to hardener, whereas our Primaloc Deep Pour Epoxy uses a 2:1 ratio of resin to hardener. These proportions are necessary to properly instigate the curing process.
Tip #2: Take the Time to Fully Mix Each Batch.
For a consistent and effective epoxy mixture, thorough blending is essential. For batches of a gallon or more, we strongly recommend using a mixing bit attached to a power drill for even and effective mixing.
Tip #3: Careful and Controlled Pouring.
When it's time to apply the flood coat, pour your mixed epoxy gently from a slight height above the work area, letting it evenly flow over the substrate. This method helps achieve a smooth and uniform coating.
Learn more about achieving a perfectly poured resin batch here.
Choosing the Best Epoxy for the Job
When planning an epoxy project, one of the things you'll need to determine is what type of epoxy is best suited for it.
Bar Top Epoxy, the Ideal Choice for Most Projects
In most cases, for instance, our premium Bar & Table Top Epoxy is exactly what is needed, being the strongest resin finish for protective purposes while exhibiting a pristine finish when applied correctly. But sometimes a different epoxy is helpful or even necessary—and sometimes both.
Deep Pour Epoxy, for When You Need Deep Layers
For some projects, such as river tables, our Deep Pour Epoxy may be the ideal choice. This epoxy is low-viscosity, allowing for thick individual layers. Though it's less effective as a seal coat, a deep pour epoxy can allow you to fill in reservoirs, epoxy veins, and deep epoxy molds with ease.
Acquiring the right epoxy for your project goals will make the entire process easier and mitigate the chance of any issues turning up during the project, resulting in a long-lasting finish that looks great for years to come.
Primaloc Epoxy: Premium Epoxy for Premium Results
With our premium Bar & Table Top Epoxy and our Deep Pour Epoxy, Primaloc gets the job done. Our epoxy resins are premium-grade, with high performance in every category, including:
- Unmatched Strength: A Primaloc finish won't buckle, even under high pressure.
- Long-Lasting Resilience: Primaloc epoxy lasts for many years with minimal care, and can endure high-traffic environments with ease.
- A Crystal-Clear Coating: With its pristine, transparent appearance, looking at a cured Primaloc coating is like peering through a window.
Epoxy resin can be beautiful, strong, and long-lasting—which is why you shouldn't compromise on quality. With Primaloc Epoxy Resin, you get the ultimate finish in durability and visual appeal.
Protect your surfaces by giving them a rock-solid epoxy finish. Choose strong. Choose reliable. Choose Primaloc.