How to make a faux black marble countertop with TotalBoat TableTop Epoxy

STEP 1 – LAY OUT YOUR MATERIALS

• Put on gloves & other personal protection; work in a well-ventilated area.
• This project is messy – cover your work area with plastic.
• Before you begin, put all your materials within easy reach.

STEP 2 – LEVEL & PREP YOUR TOP

• Use a level to make sure your countertop surface is level.
• Scuff-sand the surface with 80-200 grit sandpaper. Grit depends on surface type.
• Remove sanding residue by wiping with acetone or isopropyl alcohol.

STEP 3 – FIGURE OUT HOW MUCH MIXED EPOXY YOU’LL NEED

• To estimate how much epoxy you need, multiply: L x W x Epoxy Pour Depth = Cubic inches of epoxy
• Then look at the conversions in the following list to find out how much mixed TotalBoat TableTop Epoxy you’ll need.
• 1 quart of mixed epoxy = 57.75 cubic inches
• 2 quarts of mixed epoxy = 115.5 cubic inches
• 3 quarts of mixed epoxy = 173.25 cubic inches
• 1 gallon of mixed epoxy = 231 cubic inches

STEP 4 – MIX EPOXY & TINT IT BLACK FOR THE SEAL COAT

• Combine 1 part TotalBoat TableTop Epoxy and 1 part TableTop Hardener, by volume (100:83, by weight), in a clean mixing cup.
• Stir thoroughly 2-3 minutes; pour into a second cup and stir for 2-3 minutes.
• Add a few drops of black pigment dispersion, until mixture is black.

STEP 5 – APPLY A THIN SEAL COAT

• Pour a thin 1/16" seal coat of black mixed epoxy onto the surface, and spread evenly.
• Wait for the epoxy seal coat to set up and be tack-free before applying your flood coat.

STEP 6 – MIX MORE EPOXY FOR A FLOOD COAT & FOR THE MARBLING PIGMENTS

• Mix enough epoxy for a 1/8" black flood coat, plus some for silver, dark gray, and light gray marbling and veins.
• Pour a small amount of mixed epoxy into three cups; tint one silver, another one light gray, and tint the third one dark gray.
• Reserve the largest amount of clear epoxy for the flood coat. Tint it solid black with black pigment dispersion.

STEP 7 – POUR THE BLACK EPOXY FLOOD COAT

• Pour the black mixed epoxy flood coat onto the surface.
• Spread evenly over the surface to a depth of 1/8".
• Be sure to cover the edges with the black epoxy (you can use your gloved fingers to do this).

STEP 8 – APPLY THE MARBLING EFFECT WITH THE SILVER, LIGHT GRAY & DARK GRAY MIXED EPOXIES

• Drizzle random lines of silver mixed epoxy on the top and sides.
• Use a clean, small mixing stick or chip brush to control the lines of silver epoxy.
• Apply alternating lines of silver and of the light and dark grays, as desired.

STEP 9 – FEATHER IN THE MARBLING

• Feather in the silver and gray epoxy lines using your gloved fingertips or the chip brush.
• To loosen up the feathered lines, wave a heat gun quickly back and forth 2-3 inches above the surface. This will pop bubbles in the epoxy and help move the marbling, as desired.

STEP 10 – CREATE ‘VEINS’ WITH THE DARKER MIXED EPOXY

• Use a clean, small mixing stick to apply thin lines of the light gray or dark gray mixed epoxy on top of the silver feathered areas to appear as darker veins in the marble.
• Use a heat gun to manipulate the veins. You can push the colors over each other easily using the heat gun.

STEP 11 – ADJUST THE MARBLING EFFECT, AS DESIRED

• You may wish to add more black epoxy over the top of some veins or to rework some areas by adding more veins and repeating the process.
• If needed, mix more epoxy and tint, as desired.
• Use the heat gun to blend any additions. Continue until you’re satisfied with the effect.
• Now you can let the epoxy cure completely & go to Step 13, or let the epoxy cure until tack-free & go to Step 12 (APPLY A CLEAR COAT).

STEP 12 – (OPTIONAL) APPLY A CLEAR COAT OF MIXED EPOXY

• Add even more shine by applying a clear coat.
• Mix enough TableTop Epoxy resin and hardener to cover the top and sides to a 1/8" depth.
• Wave the heat gun back and forth quickly, 4-6 inches above the surface to remove air bubbles and move the veins around to enhance the marble effect.

STEP 13 – REMOVE CURED EPOXY DRIPS UNDERNEATH

• Allow 5-7 days for the surface to harden completely.
• Use a sander to remove any unwanted dried epoxy droplets from the bottom edge.
• IMPORTANT: Be sure to wear protective gloves and a proper respirator when sanding cured epoxy.

PUT YOUR BEAUTIFUL TOP TO GOOD USE!

Place your items on the cured countertop, and get ready to show it off!
IMPORTANT: Do not place items hotter than 125°F on the cured surface or it will discolor and become distorted.