Introduction: DIY Glow in the Dark Table
Okay, I know what you’re thinking… “not another resin river table“! But, hear me out! This one is pretty epic… this one is different than my last river coffee table, because this one GLOWS IN THE DARK. Pretty cool, huh? I’ve been wanting to make a glow in the dark resin table ever since stumbling upon an awesome glow table right here on Instructables and I am SO excited that I finally got to make it happen! Ready to see how?
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Supplies
Tools
Circular Saw & Track *
Drill & Driver
Surface Planer *
Dremel Cordless Rotary Tool
Dremel Scrubbing Tool Kit (w/ Scrubbing Detail Brush & Kitchen Scour Pads)
Sander
Drill Bits
Propane Torch
Materials
Live Edge Slab
MAS Deep Pour Epoxy
MAS Table Top Epoxy
(use code “DIYHUNTRESS” for 20% off MAS Epoxies + free shipping)
Glow In The Dark Pigment Powder
Resin Mold *
Silicone
Epoxy Resin Mixing Materials
Wood Finish
Hairpin Legs
* These are tools that are optional for this build. If you do not have these tools available to you, please check out my beginners' DIY Resin River Table project, which specializes in building a river table in a small space with limited tools.
Step 1: Clean the Live Edge
First step in this process was to prep my slab for the resin pour. To do this, it was super important to clean up the live edges of any debris or dirt that could float or break away during the pour. Because my slab was so delicate, I opted to use a Dremel Versa Power Scrubber with a scrubbing brush to clean the edges of the slab. This is a tool that is usually used for household cleaning, but it was perfect for this project! It allowed me to gently remove any dirt and debris using soft bristle brushes and scrubbing pads without taking away the character of the wood.
I also made sure to use a cordless rotary tool with different sanding and buffing attachments to get into smaller spaces on the slab.
Step 2: Cut the Slab in Half
Next, I cut my slab down the middle using my circular saw and a track. This will allow me to flip each side of the slab to create my river. If you don't have a track for your saw, you can use a circular saw and a straight piece of wood as a guide.
Step 3: Prep the Mold
Once the slab was ready, it was time to prep my resin mold.I recently got my hands on a reusable resin mold, so the only thing I had to do was silicone the edges to prevent resin from leaking out. If you are looking to make your own resin mold for your river table, make sure to check out my resin mold tutorial here.
Step 4: Prep the Slabs
Once the mold was prepped, dry, and level (this mold has a built in level and leveling feet), I added some silicone to the bottom of my slabs to prevent them from floating when I pour my resin. I then placed them into the mold. I made sure to clean up any silicone that got on the live edge with my Dremel rotary tool and wire brush attachment and then vacuumed the entire mold to prep for the pour.
Step 5: Seal the Live Edges
Next, I mixed up some table top epoxy and sealed all of the live edges to prevent bubbles from forming later.
Step 6: Pour the River
After allowing the epoxy to set for a bit, I used a deep pour epoxy resin and added glow pigment. I wanted the resin to be transluscent, so I made sure not to add too much. I then poured the resin in and popped any bubbles with a propane torch.
Step 7: Flatten the Table Top
After letting the slab cure for a few days, I removed it from the mold and ran it through my planer. If you don’t have a surface planer in your shop, check out my other DIY resin river table project for alternate ways to clean up a resin pour.
Step 8: Add Extra Glow
Next, I filled in any remaining voids with resin and also made sure to paint a thin layer of pigmented resin along the bottom of the table to help it glow even more!
Step 9: Sand
At this point it was time to sand! I started at 120 grit and then worked my way to 320 grit.
Step 10: Seal
I then sealed my table using wood finish.
Step 11: Add Legs
Once the table was dry, I added hairpin legs.
Step 12: Install & Enjoy!
My living room just experienced a major glow up (literally and figuratively). I am so impressed by how bright this thing shines at night when it gets ample sunlight during the day! Not to mention, it looks pretty amazing with the lights on as well (if I must say so myself). I am so in love with how this table turned out!