Wood and Resin Care

How to Take Care of Your Epoxy Resin Table

At HJS, our epoxy resin tables are extremely durable and will last you a long time if you know how to take care of them.

Wipe Down the Epoxy Resin Table with a Soft Sponge

The first step to taking care of your epoxy resin table is to wipe down the surface using a wet towel. If you want to perform a more in-depth cleaning, use hot soapy water and a sponge to scrub away any build-up.

Avoid using any material that’s more abrasive than a sponge, such as scratchy steel pads. This is because while epoxy resin tables are scratch-resistant, they aren’t scratch-proof.

We finish our tables with Rubio Monocoat or a resin flood coat finish. This provides a smooth glossy finish, as well as a layer of protection.

Use Shade or Avoid Using Your Epoxy Resin Table Outdoors

You can opt to use your epoxy resin table outdoors, but you need to be extremely careful. When your table is outdoors, you need to use shade, such as umbrellas, to help keep as much sun off the table as you can.

A smart move is to keep your table indoors in a temperature and humidity-controlled environment. Of course, you can take your table outdoors but take the precautions above and bring it back in when you’re done.

This is very important because the UV rays can damage your table and noticeably change its colors. Because of this, you want to avoid exposing your table to too much sun.

Avoid Putting Hot Pots, Pans, or Dishes on the Epoxy Resin Table

To avoid damage to your epoxy resin table, always use a hot pad underneath hot dishes, pans, or pots that you want to place on the table. This is because the heat can cause damage to the epoxy (i.e., it can start to melt).

Use the Epoxy Resin Table as Intended

We’re not saying that you have to only use your epoxy resin table as a dining room table – use it for homework or game night too! We’re saying that you need to be careful with how you interact with your epoxy resin table. Follow the instructions below to avoid any mechanical stresses on your epoxy resin table that can damage the integrity of the tabletop:

Don’t drop heavy items on the table; this can result in dents or chips
Don’t use a knife directly on the surface of the table; this can cause deep scratches
Don’t move or place items with sharp metal edges to prevent scratches

Check Hardware and Resin Coating Regularly

You should regularly check your table's coating to ensure there aren’t any chips that can lead to water damage. The water damage can happen when you clean the table with wet sponges and towels or if it comes into contact with rain if kept outdoors.

Also think about how your table may be coated in waterproof resin, but the base may not be. The base could even be made from metal, which can rust over time. You also need to check the hardware of your epoxy resin table regularly because a loose bolt can result in damage and accidents. Always make sure that the hardware is secure and rust-free.

Use Acetone for Visible Marks

Cleaning your epoxy resin table and eliminating visible marks is part of regular maintenance and care for your table. When you notice a visible mark that can’t be felt - also called marring - caused by a heavier object being pulled along the tabletop, you can use acetone to remove that mark.

Always start with low concentration acetone because a little bit can go a long way. If you have a scratch on the table that can be felt, it is different from marring, and more repairs will be involved to ensure that your table is properly cared for.

How to Take Care of Your Resin and Wood Serving or Chopping Board

DO dry immediately after washing. We don’t want any water absorbing into the wood.
DO either wipe down with just wet cloth or use a small amount of soap if necessary. If nothing too aromatic has been in contact with your board (fruits and some vegetables) simply wipe it down. However, if you are cutting something potent like garlic, soap is a definite must as wood can hold the smell and transfer it to your next meal. (Trust me on this one, garlic and watermelon do not taste good together.) But remember - the less soap the better! The soap will draw out the woods oil meaning you will need to oil your resin board more regularly.
DO treat it with oil. The same way our skin needs moisturiser to be beautiful and soft, your chopping board needs oil to be strong and vibrant. The more we wash our boards, the more we draw out the natural oils which makes it prone to splitting and warping. The best way to know when your board is craving oil is to look at the colour of the wood, the duller the brown, the drier the wood.
DO use our Moonshine or coconut, mineral, linseed, beeswax or tung oil. My favourite is a mixture of coconut oil and beeswax, the coconut oil is one of the least rancid oils and the beeswax makes it water-resistant which means you won’t have to oil it as frequently. Simply rub the oil into the wood with a rag or cloth until the whole board is covered and not absorbing any more oil. Hack: You can buy coconut oil cooking spray at the supermarket and all you have to do is spray over the board. Too easy.
DO NOT use vegetable or olive oil. These will become rancid and begin to smell.
PRO TIP : Spring clean your chopping board with salt and lemon (or lime). For the full service, give your board a spa treatment every once in a while. Generously sprinkle salt over your chopping board and then cut a lemon in half. Now begin to rub the lemon all over the salty board. The salt acts as a scrub to remove stubborn stains, and the lemon is a natural disinfectant and deodoriser. Be sure to clean it well in some hot water afterwards.
DON’T put it in the dishwasher. Wood is a beautiful natural material that has the ability to both bring water into its grain as well as repel it. When too much water gets absorbed by wood it begins to expand and this is what makes a cutting board warp, bend and crack. In a dishwasher there is a lot of water and heat… not a friendly place for your new chopping board.
DON’T let it soak in water. If you leave your chopping board in water for too long, it will absorb too much water, and yep, it will bend and crack. Not good.