Epoxy to Saturate Soft Spalted Maple for Table Top

[Stew Hagerty]

Hey there everyone, I hope your week is going well.

I have some nice heavily spalted maple that I plan on using for a table top. It's very soft but beautiful, which is why I want to use it as a tabletop. I have seen videos that show the use of an epoxy to soak into the soft fibers. I guess the softer it is, the more it penetrates which is perfect. My problem is that the videos I have seen them do it in fail to mention what epoxy they are using. It is obviously much thinner than the epoxy I have on hand that I use for repairs & such. And it needs to be in order to be able to pour it on and squeegee it all over and have it soak deep down into the fibers. I have no doubt that many of you have used these products, and so once again I ask for some of your wisdom & experience to aid me in becoming a better woodworker.

[Dan Duperron]

Years ago I used that stuff to stabilize some rotted window sills. I think it was called restoration epoxy or something like that. I'm certain I bought it at HD, but that was 20yr ago.

It was in no way "squeegeeable", it was thin as water. I just brushed it on with a disposable paint brush until no more would soak in, and it cured hard as rock.


I imagine if you look around the home center you will fond something. Or walk into a real paint store and ask, they will certainly know.

[Tom M King]

Is what you're thinking of Git-Rot?

[Raymond Fries]

Abatron makes a liquid 2 part epoxy that should work. It is very thin. I bought some and repaired windows and never used it all. I goes pretty far.

[John Kananis]

I've seen this done wiht Gym-Seal (shudder)...

[mark kosse]

I'm sure there must be an epoxy out there that will work. Minwax used to make stuff called wood restorer but I don't know if they still do. A mixture of plexiglass and acetone will stabilize or harden wood too. Melt as much plexiglass in the acetone as you can.

[Jim Belair]

Cold Cure is a very thin, penetrating type epoxy. I've used it in boat building and to stabilize burls. Lee Valley sells it. Oh, and free shipping too.

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[Andrew Hughes]

I've used system three mirror coat, it's a decent product that can be used indoors.It does take a longtime to cure so a dust free area is a must.Be prepared for at least three coats.

[Gerry Grzadzinski]

US Composites has good quality epoxy at much better prices than the major brands like System 3 and West System.

[Andrew Pitonyak]

I found out about this product from boat builders; seems that they love the stuff

http://www.smithandcompany.org/CPES/

I used this on :

• oak bench that would be ignored outside.
• Pine swing seat
• Exterior trim around an entry door and a garage door that was kind of punky

Very happy with the product, but kind of pricey.

Before the purchase, I followed and read many of their links... things like these

http://www.smithandcompany.org/glulam.html
http://www.woodrestoration.com/woodrestoration01.pdf

Some years back, say 9 years, I used a different product that I found at Home Depot. I do not remember the name, but I used it on a door. 8 years later that door is doing just fine. I also used some artificial wood filler, I don't remember what kind. The door bottom was a total loss, so I cut it off and used dowels (1/2" I think) to pin a new bottom in place.

[Clay Parrish]

I wonder if you would have better results if you put the wood in a plastic bag and attached it to a vacuum?

[Jim Belair]

I wonder if you would have better results if you put the wood in a plastic bag and attached it to a vacuum?

Warming the wood helps, including immediately after the epoxy has been applied, with a hair dryer. You can see the air bubbles coming from the wood through the epoxy. Don't leave it too long though or the epoxy will start to set up and trap the bubbles. Do a test to get a feel for your epoxy.

[Kevin Harris]

I've used this product on spalted maple and like the results http://www.pcepoxy.com/our-products/...-petrifier.php

[Stew Hagerty]

Thanks everybody, I'll look into your suggestions and let you know what I decide.

[Ron Kellison]

This is a great product! I've used it to build boats and also to seal rotting exterior window frames before filling the rotten cavities. Not cheap but definitely worth the price.

Cold Cure is a very thin, penetrating type epoxy. I've used it in boat building and to stabilize burls. Lee Valley sells it. Oh, and free shipping too.

56z7405s1.jpg