Successfully finishing your epoxy project is a genuine accomplishment. Even with clear application guidelines, getting the perfect epoxy finish takes a little deliberation and planning.

But what happens once the project is complete? How do you ensure the longevity and beauty of your epoxy surfaces, and is it a challenging task?

In this article, we'll explore essential considerations for maintaining your epoxy resin finish and provide valuable tips for keeping it in pristine condition.

Is Epoxy Difficult to Maintain?

No, epoxy is not difficult to maintain!

In fact, one of the greatest advantages of epoxy resin, aside from its inherent beauty and durability, is its minimal upkeep requirements. A properly applied epoxy finish will demand very little maintenance.

An Epoxy's Quality Is Important

One of the first things to do when planning an epoxy project is to select a suitable epoxy resin capable of holding up long-term. This is especially relevant for projects intended for high-traffic environments or that will receive heavy use.

Epoxy prices per gallon can vary depending on the brand and type, and unfortunately, there are numerous inexpensive brands on the market that compromise on quality and safety to offer lower prices.

Click here to discover the reality of how many companies circumvent regulatory standards to offer low-grade resin products.

5 Easy Tricks to Maintaining a Beautiful Epoxy Finish

Keeping your epoxy surfaces in great shape is relatively straighforward.

Below is our list of 5 easy tricks to maintain your epoxy finish.

Trick #1: Keep Your Epoxy Finish Clean!

This first tip is straightforward and easily achievable. By regularly cleaning your epoxy surface to remove residues and chemicals, you can preserve its pristine, crystal-clear appearance.

Maintaining clean epoxy surfaces is also simple. Warm water and mild soap are usually all you need to remove most residues and dirt.

Encountering a stubborn spot? No worries. A standard glass cleaner or hard surface cleaner should do the trick.

However, it's important to steer clear of harsh chemicals and solvents, like acetone. These are not only unnecessary but can also harm the epoxy finish.

Trick #2: Trivets Are Great for Protecting from Heat.

Extreme temperatures are a known challenge for epoxy. While it offers a moderate level of heat resistance, exposure to temperatures above 135°F can lead to heat damage or cause the resin finish to soften.

To prevent this, we recommend using trivets. They serve as a protective barrier, dispersing heat before it can affect the surface—ideal for placing hot pots, pans, and other items—and they also reduce friction, enabling you to slide things around on your table or countertops as needed.

Trick #3: Don't Use Epoxy Surfaces for Food Prep.

Although epoxy is generally safe for food contact, it is not ideal for use as a food preparation surface. Like many materials, it can be damaged by knives and other sharp objects, though its resilience does enable it to withstand more than most. It's best to use a cutting board for food preparation to protect the surface.

This advice is particularly important for those with epoxy kitchen countertops.

Trick #4: Provide Cover from the UV Rays of the Sun.

Sunlight can significantly affect epoxy surfaces in a few key ways:

• UV Degradation: The ultraviolet (UV) rays in sunlight can gradually break down the chemical bonds in epoxy, leading to degradation. This is one of the primary challenges with epoxy surfaces exposed to constant sunlight. Over time, UV radiation can cause the epoxy to yellow and lose its clarity and gloss.
• Heat: Sunlight can also heat up the epoxy surface, especially in darker colors that absorb more heat. Epoxy has a certain threshold for heat resistance, typically around 135°F (57°C). Beyond this, the epoxy can soften and become more susceptible to damage or deformation. This is mostly relevant in very hot climates.
• Physical Changes: Continued absorption of UV light and heat can lead to physical changes in the epoxy resin. It may become brittle, crack, or delaminate (peel away) from the surface to which it is applied. A high-quality epoxy resin will withstand this kind of exposure for far longer.

Fortunately, you can diminish or entirely negate this issue by giving your epoxy surfaces cover from the sun. This can be achieved naturally through shading provided by trees or other natural features, or by constructing a shelter for your resin, keeping it indoors, or putting it near a wall that faces away from the sun.

Trick #5: Coaster and Placemats Preserve Your Finish from Scratches

Though epoxy is highly resistant to scratching and other forms of physical damage, it's not immune. To reduce the risk of scratches even further, you can use coasters and placemats for your cups, dishes, and other relevant items.

Epoxy Requires Very Little Maintenance

In the end, preserving your epoxy finish doesn't require much upkeep or maintenance. An epoxy finish is intended to last for years, with just a little care.

Simply keep your surface clean to preserve the aesthetic, and use coasters and trivets to preserve its exterior integrity, and provide cover to epoxy surfaces exposed to the sun.

And, of course, avoid using epoxy countertops as a food prep surface. They're good for food contact, but not for cutting. Cutting boards serve better for this purpose and are easily replaced as needed.

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.