For anyone that enjoys doing craft projects, there is perhaps no other object that is more often used than a coffee mug. It seems as if we use them for everything, but can you put epoxy on a ceramic coffee mug?
It is possible to put epoxy resin on a ceramic coffee mug but it is not generally recommended. Most epoxy is not healthy for use on dishes or plates where food or drinks are served. In addition, the epoxy may not stand up to the high heat of washing.
Although you may have some difficulty using epoxy resin, that doesn’t necessarily mean that you are without hope. In fact, there are some ways to use epoxy resin on ceramic coffee mugs that will work quite well.
Can You Put Epoxy On Ceramic Coffee Mug? (How To)
First of all, you need to ensure that any epoxy you use on a coffee cup, provided the coffee cup is still going to be used for drinking coffee, is food safe. There are a few epoxy resins out there that are approved by the FDA for that use.
It is important to recognize that even epoxy that is food safe is not always going to be appropriate for this use. For example, some epoxy may be food-safe when it is completely cured but all epoxy is going to be toxic while it is still wet.
At this point, you may be wondering why anyone would use an epoxy coffee cup while it is still wet. That is true, but there may be times when the epoxy is softened due to higher heat.
You need to verify the fact that any coffee cup covered with epoxy is going to be microwave-safe. Most of us don’t really consider putting a ceramic coffee mug into the microwave as being any type of danger but if it is treated with epoxy, the epoxy may get soft and could pose a danger.
Even running the coffee mug through the dishwasher can cause problems. Some settings on the dishwasher may create an extensive amount of heat that is even hotter than the water coming out of the sink.
If you do decide to use epoxy on a coffee mug, even if it is food safe, it should always be washed by hand. You should then set the coffee mug off to the side and not use it for a few hours, just in case the epoxy softens.
At this point, you may be wondering if it is even worth the effort to use epoxy on a ceramic coffee mug. Most people don’t look into the subject all that far but now that we have discussed some of the dangers, it’s important to understand one thing.
Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on November 15, 2022.
You can put epoxy on a ceramic coffee mug if you prepare things properly. You also can enjoy drinking coffee out of the ceramic coffee mug, but you need to be aware of the dangers associated with it.
Should You Put Epoxy On Ceramic Coffee Mug?
We’ve already discussed the fact that it is possible to use epoxy on a ceramic coffee mug. It’s now good to look into the reason why it may be problematic.
Food Safe – Since you will be drinking out of the coffee mug, you need to use a type of epoxy that is food safe. There are very few types of epoxy that are approved by the FDA for that reason but you should be using one of them.
Microwave-Safe – In addition to being safe for holding coffee, it also needs to be safe for use in the microwave. Admittedly, you may not warm your coffee up in the microwave but if the coffee mug is marked as microwave-safe and you put epoxy on it, it may not live up to that possibility any longer.
Dishwasher Safe – Putting a coffee mug in a dishwasher may not seem like much of a problem but if you run it on a hot setting, it could soften the epoxy and make it dangerous. If you do use epoxy on a ceramic coffee mug, you should only hand wash it.
Glitter – One of the reasons why people use epoxy on ceramic coffee mugs is to add some bling. Any glitter or other item could be a problem if the epoxy softens.
Flaking – Finally, epoxy does not adhere to ceramic very easily. If you prepare the mug properly in advance and use the right primer, you should be able to get the epoxy to stick. It may flake over time, which creates some obvious problems.
What Tools Do You Need To Put Epoxy On Ceramic Coffee Mug?
If you decide that putting epoxy on a ceramic coffee mug is the right choice, what are the tools necessary to do it?
There are very few tools necessary for putting epoxy on a ceramic coffee mug but you should have them ready in advance. This will allow you to do the work before the epoxy cures.
Degreaser – It is important to remove any grease from the surface and using a good degreaser will work.
Sandpaper – Roughing off the surface of the ceramic coffee mug will allow the epoxy to adhere better.
Primer – A good epoxy primer will also help the epoxy to stick to the ceramic.
Mixing Cups – Choose small mixing cups that are used for that specific purpose. They help you to get the mixture right.
Wooden Sticks – You will need to mix the epoxy by hand, so have some wooden stir sticks available.
Sponge Brush – It is best if you use a sponge brush to move the epoxy over the surface of the ceramic coffee mug. It makes it easier for everything to level out properly.
Gloves – Wear gloves that will protect your hands from epoxy.
Safety Glasses – Always protect your eyes when doing DIY projects using either safety glasses or goggles.
You should also either wear a respirator or work in a well-ventilated area.
What Preparations Do You Need To Put Epoxy On Ceramic Coffee Mug?
Preparing the ceramic coffee mug is one of the most important factors for getting the epoxy to stick properly. Unless you prepare things in advance, you are not going to be happy with the finished product.
1. Clean – Not only should you clean the ceramic coffee mug with soap and water, but you should also use something that will cut through grease. This could be soap, to a limited extent, but you may also need to use a degreaser for this purpose.
2. Sand – Unless you are covering the surface with sparkles, you should sand the surface to rough it up. Epoxy will not easily stick to the glazed ceramic finish, so you want to remove the finish as much as possible. Make sure you wear a respirator so you aren’t breathing in the dust.
3. Clean (Again) – Now that you have sanded off the smooth finish of the ceramic, you should clean the surface once again. Soap and water should suffice.
4. Dry – Make sure you give the coffee mug sufficient time to dry. You can heat things up with a hair dryer or a heat lamp to make them dry more quickly.
How To Put Epoxy On Ceramic Coffee Mug
Once everything is prepared, it’s time to actually put the epoxy on the ceramic coffee mug. At this point, the glazed surface is gone and the ceramic is ready to accept the epoxy. Now take the following steps:
1. Mix – Use equal parts of epoxy and hardener and mix them by hand in one of the measuring cups. Make sure you read the instructions in advance because some epoxy may have more specific needs.
Never mix the epoxy using a drill or an automatic mixer. That will introduce bubbles into it, which is undesirable. Mix it with a wooden mixing stick for at least 10 minutes to completely blend the hardener and epoxy.
2. Spin – Put the coffee mug on a stick that is continually spinning. It should spin slowly, but spinning it will allow the epoxy to adhere to the surface without spinning off. It should continue to spin until it is dry.
3. Apply – During this step of the process, you will apply the epoxy to the ceramic coffee mug. Rather than pouring it onto the mug, simply put it on the mug using the foam brush or with your fingers, as long as you are wearing the right type of gloves.
Continue to apply the epoxy as the ceramic coffee mug is spinning. It will take a while before every part of the mug is covered but you will find that it also seeks its own level as it is spinning.
4. Dry – Allow at least 72 hours for the coffee mug to completely dry before you use it. You should also test the epoxy with your fingernail to make sure that it is hard before drinking coffee out of it.
Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on November 15, 2022.
It is possible to put epoxy on the ceramic coffee mug but you have to prepare things in advance. Epoxy does not adhere to the glazed ceramic easily, so sanding the coffee mug and applying a primer is beneficial.
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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on November 15, 2022.