Collection: Primaloc Epoxy Blog

Primaloc Highlights: Epoxy River Tables

Primaloc Highlights: Epoxy River Tables

One of our favorite projects to showcase is the epoxy river table. These tables take a little extra planning but are relatively straightforward to execute, with end results that are stunningly detailed.

For those new to this concept, an epoxy river table features a prominent epoxy "river" made from a thick layer of casting resin, such as our Primaloc Deep Pour Epoxy. The river is often tinted with colorants to make it stand out within the greater epoxy finish and usually flows between two or more uniquely shaped slabs of wood or other materials.

Once complete, the colored epoxy vein resembles a flowing river, encapsulated beneath a clear epoxy flood coat that spans the entire surface of the table, creating a beautiful and protective finish.

An epoxy river bar top.

A Concept Not Limited to Tables

Although river tables are the project type best known for deep pour epoxy veins, this versatile method also extends to various other creative projects. For example, enthusiasts often blend tinted epoxy and pour it into large molds to craft decorative art pieces that enhance wall spaces or serve as unique tabletop displays.

Deep pour epoxy is excellent for embedding different objects due to its depth and clarity, making it popular for including items like pebbles, shells, and artificial greenery in designs. These elements are particularly effective in projects with epoxy river veins, where they can mimic the appearance of natural water features.

Such projects not only highlight the aesthetic appeal of epoxy but also allow hobbyists to explore themes and add a personal touch to their creations, making each piece distinctively their own.

A sea-themed wooden epoxy river table.

Aquatic Tones—Potentially Thematic But Not Essential

While you might opt for the pristine, glasslike clarity of epoxy to mimic a crystal-clear water stream, there's plenty of room for creativity with the vibrant color combinations made possible by epoxy colorants—and not just aquatic tones, either! The full spectrum of visible color is feasible for epoxy tinting, so don't be afraid to go bold or unconventional.

Epoxy colorants, which you can mix into your epoxy resin before application, come in two varieties: epoxy powder pigments and liquid resin dyes.

  • Epoxy Powder Pigments: These are derived from finely ground mica minerals and other substances, offering a broad spectrum of colors and effects. When incorporated into epoxy, they lend a shimmering, pearlescent, or metallic finish to the resin.

  • Liquid Resin Dyes: These synthetic dyes provide a uniform, solid color to the resin. Lacking any textured effects like shimmer, they're ideal for projects where a more understated appearance is desired.

Both types of colorants are highly concentrated, so it's wise to begin with a modest amount and gradually increase it until you reach the desired intensity.

We carry an extensive range of premium Epoxy Powder Pigments and Epoxy Liquid Pigments from Pigmently, a brand renowned for the premium quality and consistency of their products, offered at competitive prices.

By selecting colors that resonate with your personal style—be it bold blues, vibrant oranges, or classic blacks and whites—you can craft a piece that uniquely showcases your creative vision.

Below are a few photographs to spark your inspiration. Take a look at these creations by other Primaloc Epoxy users and see some of what's possible!

An epoxy river table with a red river vein.

Go Premium with Primaloc Epoxy for Long-Lasting, Resilient Results

When launching into an epoxy project, choosing the right epoxy is crucial. Premium epoxy not only lasts longer and cures flawlessly but is also safe to use. If you’re looking to start an epoxy project and haven't yet selected your resin, we highly recommend considering Primaloc Epoxy.

Here’s Why Our Epoxy Resins Stand Out:

  • Premium-grade Quality: Guaranteed to last at least seven years with proper application and maintenance.
  • Safety Assured: Once cured, our resins are inert, creating a non-toxic surface that’s safe for everyone in your home, including children and pets.
  • Made in the USA: Our epoxy resin products are manufactured right here in the United States, adhering to stringent American safety and quality standards, unlike many imported epoxies that lack rigorous testing.
A side-by-side photo of our Primaloc Bar & Table Top Epoxy and our Primaloc Deep Pour Epoxy.

Explore Our Range of Primaloc Epoxy Resins:

  • Primaloc Bar & Table Top Epoxy: Our most durable epoxy, perfect for bar tops, countertops, table tops, and various resin art projects.
  • Primaloc Deep Pour Epoxy: Ideal for deep pour applications like river tables, silicone mold castings, resin jewelry, and coasters, among other creative projects.

Visit either product page to discover more about what makes Primaloc Epoxy the ideal choice for your next project.

A wooden epoxy river table with a vivid red river vein.

A Brief Step-By-Step Guide to Crafting Your Own River Table

Creating a standard river table involves a blend of woodworking and resin casting. Here’s a simplified step-by-step guide to help you perform your own river table project:

  1. Choose Your Wood: Select two slabs of live-edge wood that will form the banks of your “river.” The live edges will face inward towards where the resin will be poured, creating the river effect.

  2. Prepare and Plan Your Design: Arrange the wood slabs on your work surface to determine the layout and fit. Consider the size and shape of the river you want to create. Trace the edges if necessary to guide your resin pour.

  3. Seal the Wood: It’s important to seal the wood, especially the live edges, to prevent air bubbles during the resin pour. Use a sealant or a thin layer of epoxy resin to coat the wood thoroughly.

  4. Create a Mold: Build a mold around your wood arrangement using a waterproof material like melamine or a silicone sheet. Ensure it is well-sealed with silicone caulking to prevent resin from leaking.

  5. Mix and Color Your Epoxy: Use our Primaloc Deep Pour Epoxy for this project part of the project, as it features the ability to be poured in thicker layers. Mix your epoxy resin according to the manufacturer's instructions and add pigments if desired. Transparent or tinted resins are popular choices for creating a water-like appearance.

  6. Pour the Epoxy: Pour the epoxy slowly into the space between the wood slabs, ensuring it fills all gaps and reaches the desired height. Take care to pour slowly to minimize air bubbles.

  7. Remove Air Bubbles: After pouring, use a heat gun or a torch to carefully remove any air bubbles that rise to the surface. Keep the tool moving to avoid overheating any area.

  8. Cure and Monitor: Allow the epoxy to cure as per the instructions. This could take several days depending on the depth of the pour and the epoxy formula.

  9. Remove the Mold and Sand: Once cured, remove the table from the mold and begin the sanding process. Start with coarse grit sandpaper and progressively work to finer grits to achieve a smooth finish.

  10. Finish the Table: Apply a final coat of epoxy (our Primaloc Table Top Epoxy is perfect for this) or a suitable varnish to enhance the appearance and protect the surface. Once dry, your river table is ready to be admired!

  11. Install Table Legs: Attach legs or a base of your choice as needed to complete the table.

Though creating a river table requires patience and attention to detail, the results are a stunning and highly unique piece of furniture that can serve as a beautiful centerpiece to any room.

A wooden epoxy river table with a sea-green river vein.

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.

Tags:

Previous What Is the Best Epoxy to Use for a Table Top?
Next The Primaloc Guide to Deep Pour Epoxy