An important part of planning an epoxy project is determining which supplies you'll need to achieve your goals. Depending on the type of epoxy project, not to mention the scale of it, the optimal tools and supplies may vary.

For example, when finishing a wooden bar top, you're likely to use at least a couple gallons of epoxy resin. This means that a mixing drill bit can be an excellent accessory to aid in mixing up your resin batches.

On the other hand, if you're planning to work on something much smaller, like an epoxy tray or resin coasters, you may not need the mixing drill bit, and will be much better off manually mixing your smaller batches with high-quality stir sticks.

For this article, we'll be explaining many of the most common tools and supplies employed by resin users—whether experienced creators or complete epoxy beginners.

The Fundamental Tools for Typical Epoxy Projects

While there are many tools that can make the task easier or faster, there are only a few truly essential tools for completing an epoxy project.

Tool #1: A Power Drill With a Suitable Mixing Bit.

A power drill is the perfect option for mixing up large gallon-sized batches of resin all at once. You can achieve a fine epoxy blend in a much shorter amount of time with a drill than with manual stirring for high-volume batches.

For smaller projects that don't require large batches of resin to be mixed, you can do without the power drill and get by with blending manually.

The mixing drill bits in our store are reusable, and should have no trouble functioning with standard power drills.

Tool #2: Stir Sticks (for Manual Mixing of Resin Batches)

Stir sticks can be used to manually mix up small resin batches, as well as to scrape the sides and bottom of a large batch partway through the drill-mixing process.

The reusable Poly Pro Stir Sticks in our store are excellent all-purpose tools for the mixing of resin batches.

Tool #3: A Suitable Brush for Applying Seal Coats

With most resin projects, you'll want to apply an epoxy seal coat to the substrate before pouring your flood coat. To accomplish this, you'll need a solid brush, one that won't lose bristles.

Stir sticks are an essential tool that you'll need even in the event that you don't require a power drill.

In our store is an excellent 3-inch brush that is ideal for seal coating tasks.

Tool #4: A Good Heat Gun or Torch

A heat gun or a torch is used to remove any air bubbles from your resin finish after pouring the flood coat. The heat generated by the implement will burst these bubbles, allowing the air trapped within to be released into the environment and causing the epoxy resin to settle into a flawless finish.

You'll find an exceptional mini heat gun in our store that serves very well for the purpose of air bubbles removal.

Secondary Tools for Typical Epoxy Projects

As mentioned earlier, there are also tools that can make your goals easier to accomplish or allow you to take additional steps as deemed necessary for you to achieve them.

Secondary Tool #1: An Electric Sander, Preferably Orbital.

Sanding can be a useful step or preparing a surface—including resin surfaces—for an epoxy coating. While manual sanding is feasible, it takes quite a while to do an adequate job on typical epoxy projects.

With a power sander, on the other hand, you'll be able to finish this task much more quickly. When using one, it's recommended that you use 200 to 320 grit sandpaper for preparing an epoxy surface for an additional coating. For other materials, this can vary depending on the toughness of the material.

An electric sander is primarily used for larger projects, such as epoxy bar tops, countertops, or table tops. You likely won't need one for a very small project, such as during the creation of resin jewelry.

Secondary Tool #2: Space Heaters (to warm the environment for epoxy)

Epoxy resin mixes and cures best at certain temperatures. The ideal is typically about 75°F, though as long as you're above 70°F, you should be fine.

In situations where your environment is cold or difficult to control, you can use space heaters to maintain the appropriate temperatures to keep your epoxy in the optimal range.

Though we don't have space heaters in our store, you shouldn't have trouble finding them, as there are many locations, both online and in local stores where you can acquire them.

Useful Supplies for Typical Epoxy Projects

Along with the tools you'll use come the supplies. These are disposable or consumable items that tend to be usable just once.

Supply #1: Mixing Containers

Mixing containers are very useful for ensuring a proper ratio of resin to hardener when preparing an epoxy batch. Their form factor makes it easy to stir and pour the epoxy as well.

Depending on the size of the batch, you may need smaller or larger containers, so plan accordingly and buy the sizes and quantity of containers that suit your needs.

Our store has 5-quart containers and 1-quart containers with graduated mixing lines to show you the volume of their contents and enable you to maintain the right proportions.

Supply #2: Edge Tape

Edge tape is excellent for creating a temporary dam or seal to contain your resin during its liquid state until it has a chance to harden. It can be easily removed later on

Most commonly, this is used on countertop and bar top substrates to prevent the epoxy from spilling over a raised edge or through gaps/cracks in the material and seeping onto the floor.

You'll find Tyvek brand edge tape in our store.

Supply #3: Mod Podge

Mod Podge is a soft sealant designed to protect small objects like paper from moisture damage.

In the case of epoxy resin, Mod Podge is used to cover and protect soft embedments like mementos or paper souvenirs that are prone to absorbing liquid substances.

By first applying a layer of Mod Podge, these items can be safeguarded from this concern when embedded into a resin finish until the epoxy has finished hardening and is no longer a liquid.

Mod Podge can also be obtained through our online store.

Supply #4: Silicone Caulk

Silicone caulk is a substance will allow you to seal up the edges of your epoxy resin coating area and prevent it from leaking. It's made from silicone, which epoxy cannot bond to (in most cases), enabling it to be easily removed after your resin has cured to a solid.

Silicone caulk is often combined with edge tape to create temporary dams, which are "walled off" areas at the perimeter of your epoxy substrate to keep the resin from flowing over the edge or onto a part of the surface you're trying to keep uncoated.

The silicone caulk in our store is great for this purpose. It goes on clear and dries clear, making it nearly invisible to the eye.

Supply #5: Latex Acrylic Caulk

Latex acrylic caulk is similar to the silicone caulk in purpose, but doesn't get separated from the resin at the end. Instead, it dries to a transparent film, continuing to provide its sealing properties to the materials its been applied to.

The most common use for latex acrylic caulk in an epoxy project is to seal raised edges on bar tops, countertops, and table tops. This type of caulk generally needs to be applied in advance, well before you begin your epoxy project, as it requires between 7 to 14 days for it to fully dry, depending on environmental conditions.

You can obtain latex acrylic caulk through our store, as well as in many hardware or home improvement stores.

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