A River Table is a table in which wood and epoxy resin are combined into a hybrid structure. Typically, two wooden slabs or wood pieces are arranged with a clear, colored or metallic resin area running between them. This resin area visually resembles a river, which is where the name River Table comes from.

An Ocean Table uses the same principle, but the resin area is usually designed in blue, turquoise or white tones to imitate water, surf or an ocean look. Both versions place high demands on material selection, preparation and casting, because wood naturally contains moisture, air and irregularities.

Epoxy resin is generally used for River Tables instead of polyester resin. The most important reason is its better adhesion to wood. When prepared correctly, epoxy resin bonds very well to wooden surfaces and is therefore especially suitable for furniture, tabletops and decorative casting projects.

Another advantage is its low shrinkage. When poured between two pieces of wood, epoxy casting resin shrinks significantly less than many polyester casting resins. This keeps the cast area more dimensionally stable, puts less stress on the bond to the wood edges and reduces the risk of gaps or internal tension.

You can find more basics in the lexicon article Epoxy Resin – Properties, Benefits and Applications as well as in the category Buy Epoxy Resin.

A River Table will only turn out cleanly if the material matches the project. A suitable epoxy casting resin, a matching epoxy topcoat for pre-sealing, a sealed mold and precise mixing accessories are particularly important.

The quality of the wood has a major impact on the final result. The wood should be dry, clean and free of loose components. Bark, dust, oil, wax and brittle areas must be removed so that the epoxy resin can later bond securely.

Important Preparation Steps

• Cut the wooden slabs to size and define the later table shape.
• Remove loose bark, soft wood residues and crumbly areas.
• Sand surfaces and edges.
• Thoroughly vacuum or remove dust.
• Store the wood dry and temperature-stable before processing.

If you want to protect wood surfaces in general with epoxy resin, the guide Sealing Wood with Epoxy Resin is also helpful.

Before the actual pour, the wood surfaces should be sealed with a clear epoxy topcoat. This pre-coating reduces later outgassing from the wood when the table is filled with epoxy casting resin.

The vertical wood edges that will later be in direct contact with the resin area are especially important. Air can escape from the wood there and cause bubbles in the casting resin. A clean seal acts as a barrier layer and also improves the visual quality of the cast.

How to Proceed

1. Mix the epoxy topcoat exactly according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
2. Completely coat the wood edges and critical pore areas.
3. Carefully brush cracks, knots and rough edges in particular.
4. Allow the topcoat to cure completely.
5. Only then prepare the mold finally and pour in the casting resin.

A suitable clear coating build-up is possible, for example, with Epoxy Topcoat Resinpal 2405-H.

To prevent the casting resin from leaking during the curing phase, the wood pieces are placed into a mold in the desired shape of the later table. The mold must be sealed, stable and high enough.

Rigid foam boards, coated panels or other smooth, dimensionally stable materials can be used as mold material, for example. It is important that the mold is prepared with a suitable release agent before casting. This makes it easier to demold the table after curing.

Mold Checklist

• Build the mold stable and free of distortion.
• Carefully seal all joints.
• Fix the wood pieces to prevent shifting.
• Apply release agent evenly to all contact surfaces.
• Plan a leak test before casting.

The casting resin for a River Table should be clear, low-viscosity, easy to de-aerate and suitable for larger casting volumes. Low reactivity is particularly important for thick pours because it reduces the exothermic reaction and gives the resin more time to release air.

Resin and hardener must be mixed exactly according to the manufacturer’s instructions. With epoxy resin, the mixing ratio is critical. Too much or too little hardener can cause the resin to remain sticky, fail to cure completely or become mechanically weak.

Mixing Rules for Clean Results

• Dose resin and hardener by weight or according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Use clean mixing cups and stirring tools.
• Mix slowly and thoroughly to avoid stirring in unnecessary air.
• Carefully include the sides and bottom of the mixing cup.
• If necessary, transfer to a second cup and mix again.

If epoxy resin does not cure properly, the guide Epoxy Resin Does Not Harden – Causes, Rescue and Prevention can help.

After applying release agent to the mold and sealing the wood, the clear or colored epoxy casting resin can be poured into the form. Pour slowly and in a controlled manner so that the resin flows evenly and trapped air can rise more easily.

The maximum casting volume and maximum casting height differ depending on the resin system. To avoid visible layer transitions in the cast body, it is advisable to choose a casting resin that is suitable for the planned layer thickness in a single pour.

Design: Clear, Colored or Ocean Effect

For a classic River Table, the resin can remain clear or be colored transparently. For an Ocean Table, blue, turquoise, white and metallic effects are suitable. It is important to use only colors that are suitable for epoxy resin.

• Transparent colors for epoxy resin and casting resin
• Metallic colors for epoxy resin and casting resin

After casting, the River Table must cure undisturbed and protected from dust. During this time, the mold should not be moved. Temperature and humidity should remain as constant as possible so that the resin reacts evenly.

After curing, the table is demolded, flattened, sanded and then polished or coated depending on the desired result. Several sanding stages are recommended for a high-quality surface. The finish can be matte, satin or high-gloss.

Many problems when building an epoxy resin table are caused by inaccurate preparation or an unsuitable resin system. Air bubbles, leaking molds, sticky areas, visible layers or an uneven surface are particularly common.

© 2013 - www.fiberglas-discount.de

© 2018 - Last revision - www.fiberglas-discount.de

© 2025 - Last revision - www.fiberglas-discount.de

© 2026 - SEO, structure and content revision - www.fiberglas-discount.de