If you’ve recently taken an interest in epoxy resins, you may be familiar with the term “curing,” which refers to how an epoxy resin becomes stable as it cools. This process isn’t entirely reversible, but some parts of certain epoxies might become unstable with heat. That’s why the most durable ones are heat-resistant.
The best heat-resistant epoxies are stone coat countertop resin, clear table top epoxy resin, and J-B Weld UltraRez UV Resistant Resin. Aside from these, most epoxies meant for countertops resist heat very well.
In this article, you will learn more about what you need to know before getting the right heat-resistant epoxy. You’ll also discover the three best heat-resistant epoxies in depth. By the end, you’ll know the epoxy that’s ideal for you.
What Makes a Good Heat-Resistant Epoxy
Before you start judging different epoxies based on their heat resistance, you have to understand the criteria that make an epoxy ideal for your project. The most heat-resistant epoxy might not be the right one because it might not be scratch resistant or might get adversely affected by UV light. The ultimate goal is to get a resin that has the right finish, and the right structural integrity yet is also great at heat resistance. And that is exactly what our criteria ensure.
- Durable – First and foremost, the epoxy must be durable. And we’ve found woodworking countertop epoxy resin to be the most durable in this context. Of course, the depth of the pour, vertical imbalance before curing, and the undesired finish can make even a countertop epoxy less than ideal.
- Scratch-resistance – An epoxy with the right finish and incredible durability might seem like the best option. But you must know the difference between impact durability and scratch durability.
If an impact-durable epoxy is not scratch-resistant enough, it might get scratched easily. So, aside from looking at the structural integrity of epoxy, you have to look at scratch resistance because even proxies that are labeled as durable might not be that durable to withstand sharp contact. - UV resistance – You must look at how UV resistant an epoxy resin is because UV rays are all around us. Most heat-resistant UV projects involve exposure to natural sunlight as well as artificial light. If your epoxy can’t stand up to such exposure, its appearance starts taking punishment.
- Clarity and Finish – Appearance brings us to the final factor you must consider. How does the epoxy look upon curing? Is the epoxy clear enough? Does it have the right clarity? Does it finish translucent? Does it yellow over time?
Stone Coat Epoxy
Stone Coat epoxy is heat resistant, as one would expect out of something meant to act as a countertop. Moreover, it is also flame retardant, which means that your epoxy project is going to remain safe during a fire, provided every other surface is flame retardant or fireproof.
It’s easy to lay it quite evenly and have a flat surface if you lay it properly. And since kitchens are exposed to a lot of light, it helps that this epoxy UV resistant. While there is an entirely different post about food-safe epoxies of this specific epoxy also happens to be completely food safe. Its aesthetic beauty is worth noting, Of course, because it is meant to elevate your kitchen interior.
That said, there are a few drawbacks to consider. The first is that because this epoxy is heat resistant, it might cure to a slight sepia finish. In other words, there will be a yellowish tint to the project. Then there is the curing process, which because of how durably this epoxy resin cures, requires a lot of heat. And you can’t just blast the actual resin with fire; the actual workspace has to be quite hot.
In other words, you have to be willing to work with heat. Finally, it’s definitely not the cheapest option. But when it comes to quality, you must avoid bargain shopping with epoxies (read this post covering exactly why).
Clear Table Top Epoxy Resin from Pro Marine Supplies
This one is designed for tabletop surfaces and wood finishes. And you can actually leverage the clarity of this resin to create really polished glossy-looking surfaces and not have to worry about the yellowish tint or bubbles. That’s one of the defining advantages of a clear table top epoxy. The word clear within the title indicates that transparency is the manufacturer’s top priority, something that’s reflected in the reviews.
With over 6,000 reviews and ratings on Amazon, Clear Table Top product is rated at 4.5 out of 5 stars. Most of the customers who’ve posted pictures and reviews have laid this epoxy over marble countertops. At first glance, it looks like the perfect choice.
Still, the drawbacks of heat resistance of heat resistant epoxies apply. The key among them is the hot space in which you need to work. And while the yellowing of this epoxy is not as big of a challenge, unless you’re laying it on a plain white surface, the fact that you have to work in an environment that is three to four times hotter than average, and you have to work with multiple gallons for a single project, can make you hesitate. But its advantages outweigh the drawbacks if you consider all aspects and remember that shopping for lower prices with epoxies is quite risky.
J-B Weld UltraRez UV Resistant Resin
Among high-quality epoxy resins, this is one of the most budget-friendly options with benefits like low odor, consistent thickness, and impact resistance. While scratch-resistant epoxies can stand up to sharp objects, the impact can still cause damage. With this epoxy resin, you don’t have to worry about a glass or a plate being slammed too forcefully onto your tabletop surface.
You just need to make sure that you pour it in a hot enough environment that the consistency isn’t affected adversely. It might not be as high-quality an option as the above two, but it still meets our relatively high standards for heat-resistant epoxies and can work for a variety of low-budget projects.
It is conducive to epoxy-on-epoxy coats and has a non-yellowing clear finish, which means it is great for opaque, translucent, and crystal finishes. However, you must make sure that the pigments you use also remain stable when exposed to heat.
Final Thoughts
Heat-resistant epoxies are great for projects that might get a lot of sunlight exposure or may even be food-adjacent. UV-resistant epoxies that cure over 24 hours are often heat resistant. When buying one, make sure to check if it is at risk of yellowing over time, is easy to work with, and has better durability than every other option at that price point.
