There are two different scenarios where you could see dentsform in your epoxy countertop. The first, would be immediately afterpouring the epoxy, there are dents or divots in the otherwise glossy smoothsurface. The second scenario, would be a soft countertop where indentations are left from any heavy item. So, why would the epoxy divot like this when it is supposed to be a durable long-lasting surface? There are specific reasons for why either of these situations would occur in your countertop, and there is also a way to fix them!
To begin, let's start out with the first scenario, where you have fresh divots or dentsimmediately after pouring the countertop.
Divots, Dents, andFisheyes in Your Freshly Poured Epoxy Countertop
When you start pouring epoxy onto your countertop ortabletop and notice divots forming in the surface, there are a couple ofdifferent reasons why these could be forming. We call a low spot in anotherwise smooth countertop a fisheye.
The most common reason that these occuris when you do not have enough product. Our countertop epoxy self-levels at 1/8”thickness. When you don’t use enough product, it will stretch in areas andcause a fisheye.
Another reason why your wet epoxy might have fisheyes is dueto trying to spray the alcohol onto the surface once it has begun to set up.Once the epoxy begins to harden, it does not self-level from the weight of thealcohol. Try spraying your colors when the epoxy is freshly poured to avoid this issue.
The final reason that you might have fisheyes in your freshlypoured countertop is if you have any silicone on the countertop surface. Theepoxy will not adhere to the silicone and bead up over the surface. It isimperative that you remove any silicone from the surface before pouring theepoxy to avoid this situation. To resolve this, you will need to allow thatfirst pour to cure for 24 hours and then sand the silicone away before pouringa secondary coat.
Indentations from YourCoffee Pot in an Epoxy Countertop
If you set your kitchen appliances back on your countertop within the first two days instead of waiting for the week and they leave indentations, don’t panic! The curing process does continue for the next 30days and it will become harder. The indentation should smooth out on its’ own.
If you have persistent indentations from even small items, such as a coffee mug, the temperature ofthe product, room, or surface was too low during the initial pour and the 24 hours afterwards. When the ambient or surface temperature falls below 70 degrees you risk a soft cure. If it is this soft after the first day, it will not harden much beyond that state. When you pour epoxy, make sure that your product, surface, and ambient temperature are all correct, it will save you lots of effort later!
Whether your divots occurred during the pouring process ofyour countertops, or afterwards due to a soft cure, the solution is always topour another coat of epoxy. You can pour directly over the previous epoxy pourwithin 24 hours of the first pour. After that, you will need to sand thesurface with a 220 or 320 grit sandpaper lightly to create a chemical bond.
How did your countertop installation go? Call ourinstallation team at (970) 639-9338 and tell us all about it! You can also sendus an email with photos of your finished creation to info@countertopepoxy.com.
FAQs
The most common reason that these occur is when you do not have enough product. Our countertop epoxy self-levels at 1/8” thickness. When you don't use enough product, it will stretch in areas and cause a fisheye.
Why does my epoxy have craters? ›
When bubbles appear in a freshly applied epoxy coating, the most common culprit is something called “outgassing”. Outgassing is a site condition that allows air or gas from the concrete substrate to escape in excess and cause blisters, craters, bubbles, or pinholes.
What causes pitting in epoxy? ›
Substrate contamination is the most common problem that causes fish eyes and pin holes in epoxy seal coats. Dust, dirt, wax, silicones, even the oil from your fingers when touching the part prior to sealing with epoxy will deter epoxy resins from laying flat and curing with a perfectly smooth surface.
How do you fix epoxy craters? ›
Lightly sand the existing epoxy with 120-150 grit. Care should be taken not to cut through the stain. Apply another seal coat of epoxy using an 1/8" nap foam roller, working to fill in the craters. Allow the epoxy to cure hard, sand entire application flat, and re-coat to finish.
How do you fix imperfections in epoxy resin countertops? ›
Solution to this issue:
- Sand the imperfections out of the surface to smooth it out.
- Finish it with 200-300 grit sandpaper.
- Wipe the dust away with a clean rag and acetone.
- Wait 20 mins for it to dry, then you can repour a new flood coat.
Whether your divots occurred during the pouring process of your countertops, or afterwards due to a soft cure, the solution is always to pour another coat of epoxy.
Why am I getting dimples in my epoxy? ›
If the temperature fluctuates in the first 24 hours that your resin is curing, it can result in dimples in your resin surface. Ensure that the temperature stays stable at 75-85°F or 24-30°C while your piece cures.
What causes holes in epoxy? ›
Air and vapor are released when temperatures rise and are absorbed when temperatures drop. Bubbles or Pin-holes in epoxy coatings are caused due to improper priming or rapid drying of the surface of the coating. Coatings provide a cap, restricting release of air and vapor, but can present a problem during application.
How do you fix a bad epoxy job? ›
The good news is that by applying a second coat, in most cases, usually fixes even the worst mistakes. Most Epoxies are sold in two-part component kits and need to be mixed before you use them. The mixing ratio is of vital importance and must be strictly adhered to.
Why are there little holes in my resin? ›
These holes are actually small bubbles that have worked their way up to the surface while curing, or bubbles that have got trapped in the sides or the rims of the mould. When pouring it can look clear, but bubbles can be created at multiple points during the prep/mixing/pouring process.
Since doming resin levels to one-eighth of an inch, you need to sand the epoxy resin surface so the dents are less than one-eighth of an inch deep. This allows the resin to cover the surface evenly when you apply another flood coat.
Can you sand out imperfections in epoxy? ›
Sanding Epoxy Resin With a Sanding Block
Begin with a lower grit waterproof sanding sheet(around 80-120 grit) attached to your sanding block. This coarse grit helps remove any major bumps, drips, or imperfections from the cured resin. Sand the resin surface using gentle, circular motions or back-and-forth strokes.
What causes epoxy to fisheye? ›
Even walking around the workpiece may kick up dust and debris that will settle into your epoxy seal coat and cause a pinhole or fish eye.
What should you not use on epoxy countertops? ›
First and foremost, do NOT use abrasives to clean epoxy resin countertops. These include certain all-purpose cleaners like Soft Scrub, and Comet, as well as scouring pads. Using abrasive cleaners or scrubbing pads will dull the surface of the countertops.
How many coats of epoxy on a countertop? ›
Generally, just one flood coat, plus a quick seal coat. If you're using a high-quality table top epoxy, you only need one flood coat layer of epoxy most of the time. Our premium UltraClear Table Top Epoxy self-levels to 1/8 of an inch thick.
How do you know if epoxy is bad? ›
With age or when stored improperly, you may encounter issues such as crystallization of the epoxy resin or yellowing of the hardener. If there is any doubt about the condition of old material, we recommend mixing a small amount in a disposable cup to ensure it hardens before using it for a project.
Why does my epoxy have ripples in it? ›
If the temperature fluctuates, you can get dimples or ripples, and the epoxy might not cure completely. Dust can also cause small pits or dimples, so try to make your work area as dust-free as possible.
