Help Fixing Epoxy

[u/Low-Extension-2542]

Hi all,
For context; I’m building my first epoxy table, Live edge with river flow.

Context: The table is a Walnut live edge with blue clear epoxy river flow.

The pour was supposed to be two layers.
I poured the first layer and ran into several issues:

Issue 1: 12hrs after I poured the first layer, I had weights on the wood slabs but decided to use additional clamps to help hold it down. When I clamped it down I saw the wood slabs had floated and so epoxy over flowed and onto the slabs where I scraped the excess back into the river. The issue now is I have bubbles that I can’t blow out because it was in the tacky stage. On top of that, the epoxy formed like wavy patterns because most likely the epoxy I put back on top, but I don’t think it looks bad. What should I do to fix this issue? (This is 100% my fault, clamping it prior would of avoided this mess)

Issue 2: Although my level said the table was leveled, it was slightly not leveled enough and I have more epoxy on one side than the other. Once the first layer drive, I will have to compensate for this in my second pour (most likely and easy fix if done right).

Issue 3: Because the epoxy over flowed back on the slab, some of it naturally got into the wood. That being said, the table is set to be planned afterwards anyways so I believe that epoxy stains wont be much of an issue.

I appreciate all the advice and feedback.
Thanks

[u/tazmoffatt]

Always over pour epoxy, you will need more than you think as you said, it gets absorbed into the wood, gets under the slab, around the sides and ends, and also shrinks slightly when it cures. If you over pour by an eighth or less, you're guaranteeing your workpiece's thickness and mitigating any warping from the top behind exposed to air and not the bottom.

I have poured hundred of liters and made many tables, boards, etc. the extra 1-2L on a decent sides pour is nothing for the extra time savings. Because either way you should be flattening your workpiece after the pour

[u/Low-Extension-2542 → u/tazmoffatt]

I did overpour the first layer, I still have to pour the second layer. but before I do I have a chance to fix these defects. Since the deepour epoxy is only rated for 1.5in and the table is currently 2&5/16. Should I use a router to cut out the bubbled and defect prior to second pour?

[u/tazmoffatt → u/Low-Extension-2542]

I regularly deep pour 3-4 inches in a single pour with high quality casting resin. You just need proper airflow and a cooler space. My workshop was all concrete and well insulated so it stayed pretty cool, like 15°C. You would've been fine pouring the entire thing with just a fan gently blowing over the slab. And yeah now is the time to fix any imperfections, drill out any bubbles and give it a good scuff, then pour your final layer

[u/Th3_Corn]

Issue 1: nothing to do IMO. You might be able to cover the bubbles with a darker second pour but you wont be able to remove the bubbles anymore.

Issue 2: You'd usually CNC any overflowing epoxy off after the final pour. You wont be able to get it perfectly level anyways.

Issue 3: Epoxy shouldn seep deep into wood. So if you take 1-2mm off the top you wont see it anymore

[u/ColdMF804]

Thought this was a lap pool at first glance