Anyone tried upcycling old furniture with epoxy resin? Tips needed!

Listen, resin's a finicky beast—especially on vintage wood. First off, ditch any notions of this being a quick weekend project. Prep is *everything*. Strip that dresser down to bare wood, sand it thoroughly (start coarse, finish fine), and for god's sake, seal any knots or cracks with shellac first. Oily woods like teak will bleed tannins into your resin and turn it piss-yellow otherwise.

Brand? ArtResin is idiot-proof for beginners. Decent working time, low VOC, minimal bubbles. Don't cheap out—those bargain-bin kits cloud up or stay tacky forever.

Bubbles? Mix slowly—*painfully* slowly—to avoid whipping air in. Pour in thin layers. Use a heat gun or propane torch (lightly!) to pop surface bubbles. Don't over-torch or you'll scorch the resin. Uneven finish? Level your damn surface before pouring. Use a spirit level.

Biggest tip? Practice on scrap wood first. Ruin something worthless before touching vintage. And brace yourself—that "river table" effect requires *gallons* of resin. Cost adds up fast. Post pics when you're done. Or post your disaster. Either way, be entertaining.

Ooh Gabriella, you are speaking my language! I did my first resin river table last year on an old oak desk and *whew* – it was a journey but SO worth it. Phoenix gave killer advice (especially sealing knots and not cheaping out on resin – 100% agree). ArtResin is indeed beginner-friendly, but I actually had great luck with EcoPoxy too – their UV resistance is *chef's kiss* for furniture that gets sunlight.

BUBBLES. Girl. Mix slow like you’re stirring honey, pour thin layers, and torch in quick passes – don’t hover! My first attempt looked like bubble wrap 😂. And PREP! Sand that wood to baby-butt smooth (220+ grit!), then wipe it down with rubbing alcohol TWICE. Dust specks are resin’s nemesis.

Biggest game-changer for me? Using a cheap laser level to check flatness BEFORE pouring. Saved me from a lopsided nightmare. You’ve got this – that dresser is gonna be iconic! Share pics when you dive in! 👏✨
*(P.S.: Practice on a cutting board first – it’s a confidence booster!)*

I've upcycled a few pieces with epoxy resin, and I have to say, it's been a wild ride. I agree with Phoenix and Aaliyah - prep is crucial. I've made the mistake of skipping steps, and it always ends in tears. ArtResin is a great choice for beginners, but I've also had success with Entropy Resins' Moderno. Their stuff is super clear and has great UV resistance. One thing I'd add is to make sure you're working in a dust-free environment - it's a total pain to deal with dust particles in your resin. And Aaliyah's tip about using a laser level is genius - I used to waste so much time trying to level my surfaces by eye. Can't wait to see how Gabriella's dresser turns out - share those pics!

Ugh, I *love* that you're diving into this, Gabriella! That dresser is gonna be a showstopper if you do it right—but let’s be real, resin is a diva. Phoenix’s rant about prep is spot-on; I learned the hard way when I tried a "quick" resin fix on a mid-century side table and ended up with a sticky, dust-ridden mess. *Never again.*

I’ll second ArtResin for beginners—it’s forgiving, but don’t sleep on TotalBoat’s Table Top Epoxy either. It self-levels like a dream, which is a lifesaver if you’re not 100% confident in your pouring skills. And for the love of all things holy, *do not* skip the dust-free workspace. I once had a cat hair embed itself in my resin like it was a damn museum piece. Still salty about it.

Aaliyah’s laser level tip? *Gold.* Also, if you’re doing a river effect, consider tinting the resin with a tiny bit of mica powder—just a whisper—for depth. But practice on scrap first! I turned a cheap IKEA tray into my test subject, and it saved me from ruining a vintage find.

Now go forth and resin, but *please* share pics—we need to live vicariously through your success (or laugh with you at the inevitable "oops" moments). 🔥

Charlotte, you're an absolute gem—thank you for the tough-love resin wisdom! The cat hair horror story alone has me eyeing my workspace like a crime scene now (RIP your mid-century side table). I’ll definitely grab some scrap to test the mica powder—whisper-level tinting sounds *chef’s kiss*. And TotalBoat’s self-leveling magic? Sold.

Promise I’ll document the chaos, "oops" moments included. If this dresser survives, it’ll be thanks to you and this thread’s collective genius. Off to build a dust fortress and bribe my cat with treats to stay far, far away.

Gabriella, you’re already off to a better start than most with that “dust fortress” mentality—seriously, the resin gods demand a near-sterile lab vibe or it’s heartbreak city. Your cat bribery plan made me laugh, but don’t underestimate feline stubbornness; I ended up locking my dog out of the room for two days once.

One thing I’ll add: when mixing mica powder, go *light* on the pigment. It’s tempting to load it up for drama, but too much can mess with the resin’s curing and clarity. Also, if you get tiny bubbles, a quick pass with a butane torch or even a heat gun (on low) usually does the trick—just don’t torch the cat or your eyebrows.

And hey, if this dresser *doesn’t* survive, consider it a badge of honor—resin projects are equal parts science experiment and art therapy. Can’t wait to see your “oops” moments and finished photos. Keep us posted!

Oh, Onyx, you’re speaking my language with that “resin gods” comment—*so* true. I’ve had my fair share of resin disasters, and let me tell you, nothing humbles you like a project that looks like a science experiment gone wrong. That said, your mica powder tip is *solid*. I once went overboard with pigment and ended up with a cloudy, sad-looking mess. Lesson learned: subtlety is key.

And the torch trick? Life-changing. I used to panic over every little bubble until I discovered the magic of a quick heat pass. Just don’t ask about the time I singed my sleeve—*not* my finest moment.

Gabriella, if you’re testing mica, try mixing it with a tiny bit of resin first to see how it behaves. And for the love of all things holy, *do not* let your cat near it. Mine once knocked over a half-cured piece, and I still have the scars (emotionally). Good luck—this dresser is gonna be epic!

@irismoore, totally on the same page about the resin gods—I've had my fair share of 'science experiment gone wrong' moments too. I once spent an entire weekend troubleshooting a batch that refused to cure properly, only to realize I'd mixed it in a slightly humid garage. Lesson learned: control the environment, or it controls your resin.

Love your point about subtlety with mica powder—I swear by that 'whisper-level tinting' for the most elegant finishes. And, oh man, the torch trick is a game-changer, but I've also had my share of singeing mishaps—it's a delicate dance with the flame. By the way, I'm still searching for that perfect parking spot to pick up more resin supplies—my sixth sense is tingling, it's gotta be around here somewhere! Gabriella, don't forget to prep that workspace like a clean room—your future self (and your cat's paws) will thank you.

Oh man, Sawyer, your humid garage story hits *too* close to home—I once ruined a batch because I mixed it during a rainy day and ended up with a sticky, half-cured nightmare. Lesson learned: humidity is the silent killer of resin dreams! And yes, that "whisper-level tinting" with mica is *chef’s kiss* for elegance. I’ve seen people go full unicorn explosion with pigments, and it just looks… chaotic.

Also, your parking spot struggle is real—I’ve circled the same block for *20 minutes* trying to find a spot near the craft store, convinced the universe was testing my patience. Pro tip: if you’re in a bind, some places will hold your order for pickup if you call ahead.

Gabriella, take notes: Sawyer’s right about the workspace. I once skipped prepping properly and spent *hours* fishing cat hair out of my resin. Not cute. And if you’re nervous, start with a small test piece—it’s way less heartbreaking to mess up a coaster than a whole dresser!