Epoxy resin is a popular adhesive and a coating material that works equally well on surfaces like wood, ceramics, metal, bricks, and concrete. Despite its popularity, many people have raised concerns about whether it’s right to put epoxy on cutting boards.
Can you put epoxy on the cutting board? The short answer is yes. You can put epoxy on a cutting board to create a rigid, durable surface that protects your wood from scratches and minor abrasions.
All you need is to allow the resin to cure completely to rid any residual Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) that may otherwise leak into food. Want to learn more? Here is a guide on how to put epoxy on your cutting board.
Should You Put Epoxy On Cutting Board?
When wet, the epoxy resin contains VOCs and other compounds that may impact your health negatively. However, the good news is that you can eliminate the elements by allowing the resin to cure.
So, should you put epoxy on cutting board? Yes, you can put epoxy on the cutting board if you are patient enough to let it cure completely.
You should wear protective gear and apply epoxy from a well-ventilated space to avoid contacting and inhaling the harmful compounds in the wet epoxy.
Finally, it is worth noting you need to mix epoxy with a hardener to create a solution that will produce the hardest surface. When mixing, ensure that you use the manufacturer’s recommended ratios to achieve the desired outcome.
What Tools Do You Need To Put Epoxy On Cutting Board?
Epoxy is your go-to option if you want a resin that will give you a hard and durable surface resistant to minor cuts and abrasions.
Like any other task, you need to work with the right tools to achieve your cutting goals.
Examples of the tools you need to put epoxy on a cutting board include a wooden board, 120-200 grit sandpaper, a towel, resin and hardener, measuring/mixing cups, painter’s tape, painters brush, a small heat gun, stirring sticks, working board, gloves, etc. Below is a brief explanation of each.
Wooden board: This is the subject cutting board you need to coat with the epoxy/ hardener solution.
120-200 Grit Sandpaper: Great for rubbing away the rough and bumpy areas on the cutting board
A Piece Of Towel/ Wiping Cloth: For removing sawdust from the sanded surface. You may use it dry or wet, depending on your preference.
Epoxy Resin And Hardener: These are the key ingredients you need to create the epoxy/hardener solution that you will apply to the cutting board
Stirring Sticks: As the name echoes, the stirring sticks are used for stirring the epoxy and the hardener to mix them thoroughly
Measuring/Mixing Cups: For measuring and mixing the recommended rations of the epoxy and the hardener
Painters Brush: For spreading the epoxy on the target area. You can also use a spatula or any other flat object to apply the epoxy evenly.
Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on November 19, 2022.
Working Board: The surface you need to place the cutting board to apply the epoxy solution. You may use a combination of a sturdy working table and disposable nylon paper.
Heat Gun: Ideal for removing air bubbles on the cutting board during the application
Painters Tape: For covering the edges and other areas on the cutting board where you don’t wish to cover with epoxy resin
What Preparations Do You Need To Put Epoxy On Cutting Board?
Now that you understand the tools you need to put epoxy on a cutting board; the next step is to look at the preparations you need to make before you apply the epoxy resin on your cutting board.
The main preparations you need to put epoxy on the cutting board include gathering the necessary tools, softening the cutting board and mixing the epoxy with a hardener. Assuming you already have the tools and materials, I will expound on the remaining two steps.
Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on November 19, 2022.
Step 1: Smoothen And Position The Cutting Board
Before pouring the epoxy solution, you want to remove any bumps, scratches and any other signs of damage from the cutting board to create an even surface that allows the epoxy to flow smoothly.
Below are the steps you need to achieve this:
- Use 120-200 grit sandpaper to scrub the cutting board along the grains until you achieve the smoothest surface.
- Use a soft microfiber cloth/ towel to remove the sawdust off the cutting board to achieve a clean surface. If you opt for a wet cloth, allow the surface to dry before applying the epoxy.
- Use painter’s tape to cover the edges of your board to prevent the epoxy drips from penetrating unwanted areas.
- Place the wooden board on a working table to enhance the efficiency of your painting job. You might need to cover the working board with disposable plastic or multiple layers of cardboard to prevent the epoxy from damaging your table surface.
- Use pedestal objects to raise the wooden board off the table surface, and you are done positioning the board. I find using my 3 metal cups super efficient, given their flat bottoms and equal height.
Step 2: Mix The Epoxy With A Hardener
After softening and positioning the wooden board, the next step is to mix the epoxy with the hardener to apply it on the cutting board. Here is what you need to do:
- Measure the recommended amounts of epoxy and the hardener and then pour them into one cup.
- Use a stirring rod to scrape and transfer any residue in the measuring cups into the mixing cup, then use the same rod to mix them thoroughly. Be sure to stir the ingredients gently to avoid creating too many air bubbles.
- Transfer the epoxy/ hardener solution onto the cutting board once you are done mixing
How To Put Epoxy On Cutting Board
The epoxy/ hardener solution takes a little while to start hardening. That means you should start applying the solution on the wooden board as soon as you prepare the mixture.
To put epoxy on the cutting board, pour the epoxy/ hardener mixture at the centre of the cutting board, then use a painter’s brush to spread it to the edges of the board to form the first layer. Let the initial layer sit on the board for at least 4 hours, then top up the second layer.
Note: The 4 hours wait time doesn’t mean the coat will dry after this duration. Instead, it is a standard time within which the coat would have developed a solid grip to hold an additional layer of epoxy.
Do not worry if you spot any bubbles on the coated surface, as they are easy to remove with a heat gun. All you need is to put the heat gun to life, hold it 6-10 inches above the coated area then, and move it back and forth to pop out the bubbles.
Note: Holding the heat gun at the same spot may burn out the epoxy. Avoid it at all costs.
Repeat the coating process after every 4 hours until you achieve an even cutting surface. You can create another blend of epoxy, and the hardener solution should the original mixture deplete before you attain the desired outcome.
Once you are done putting an even layer of epoxy on the cutting board, allow the epoxy to cure completely before using the board. The curing process allows the epoxy to dry and remove any harmful residue from the ingredients.
On average, the epoxy coating takes 3 to 4 days to cure completely. However, you can fasten the process by exposing the coated cutting board to higher temperatures. Don’t forget to remove the painters’ tape coating after the proxy coating has fully dried.
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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on November 19, 2022.