Epoxy is a well-known type of adhesive; it provides bonding elements that are better than pastes and glues. Generally sold in a two-product package, this product is used to bond materials such as plastics, metals, and woods.
Furthermore, it should meet the qualities that the materials need. It must have an electrical insulator and the mechanical requirements of the resources you want to combine. Otherwise, it will not mesh and give you the protection that you need.
Thus, it is time to take a sneak peek at five of the best bar top epoxy brands in the market. You will also be informed of why you should choose these products and some tips for finding the right epoxy brand.
Our 5 Favorite Bar Top Epoxy
Best Bar Top Epoxy Review
These are some of the best-selling epoxy products in the market today. These products have a 9/10 rating from their users.
1. J-B Weld 8280 Professional Steel Reinforced Epoxy
The J-B Weld 8280 received a 9/10 rating from its buyers. This product provides excellent long-lasting repairs to steel and other surfaces. The manufacturer also claims that it is the strongest epoxy for metal with a mix ratio of 1:1.
The product has a 3960 PSI malleable strength. Furthermore, it is resistant to extreme heat, making it a perfect solution for those who live in warm regions. Once cured, the mixture can withstand high temperatures up to 550oF or 287.77oC.
The J-B Weld Professional Steel Reinforced Epoxy can bond things together and is easy to apply, but before you mix and apply the mixture, you need to make sure that the surface is clean and smooth. Otherwise, it won’t properly bond the materials.
Once the objects are debris-free and clean, you may now start preparing the solution. Simply squeeze the tubes to get the product and mix them properly. Apply it generously on the surface to ensure they stick together.
When applied, the solution softens within 30 minutes and then sets for about 4 to 6 hours. The mixture will turn gray when exposed to a room temperature. However, it needs 15 hours up to a day before it reaches its fully cured state.
You can also use it on different materials, such as automotive, brick, fiberglass, and metal. Moreover, it allows you to sand, tap, file, shape, and drill the object after curing it. With its features and easy application, we can say that it’s one of the best metal epoxy brands available today.
2. System Three 1100K10 T-88 Kit
The System Three 1100K10 is another epoxy brand that received a 9/10 rating from its customers. This epoxy is claimed to be the best product for marine and woodworking applications. Like the J-B Weld, this product also comes with a 1:1 mix ratio and cures at a room temperature.
This brand also has an exceptional component that allows you to work on a wet surface. However, you must make sure that it works well with the materials to ensure that they stick together.
The compound can be applied generously and cure without shrinkage. It also has a clear, amber color that becomes invisible upon application. Therefore, it displays superior durability and adhesion once the mixture is in use.
Once totally cured, the solution can withstand kerosene, oil, water, and other chemicals. Hence, when exposed to extreme heat or a wet environment, the mixture won’t melt. Additionally, it doesn’t leave a stain on the wood and is resistant to fungus and rot.
Claiming to be the best waterproof epoxy, the System Three T-88 Kit offers remarkable features that you can’t resist. It is non-brittle and provides a high performance and has two components that give brilliant results in spite of the hostile condition.
This epoxy is also offered in cartridges so that you can load it in a caulking gun for easier application. Moreover, it meets the standard requirements for this particular product. Thus, you can trust this brand as it guarantees you of its durability.
3. Loctite Heavy Duty Epoxy Quick Set
With an approval rating of 9/10, the Loctite Epoxy Quick Set is the best epoxy glue. It comes in two project-sized bottles, which are perfect for jobs that need superior bond strength.
The product only weighs 0.82 pounds. Despite its weight, this will be enough for bonding two objects together.
Unlike its competitors, you only need to leave it for 5 minutes before you can start curing it. Hence, this makes it the fastest epoxy to set.
The Loctite Heavy Duty Epoxy works with a fiberglass material, which results in a long-lasting patch. The product is specifically designed for plastic materials, but you can also apply it on glass, concrete, ceramic, wood, fiberglass, metal, and stone.
Like other epoxy brands, you need to mesh an epoxy resin and a hardener. These mixtures eliminate the risk of shrinkage and are waterproof and high-impact-resistant. Therefore, it won’t easily crack when you drill the object.
Loctite is a well-known brand in the industry. The company has been providing only the top-of-the-line adhesives and sealants for more than five decades.
Though this brand is known as an adhesive product, you can also use it as filler. You can smudge it on the surface to connect gaps, to laminate, and to fill the holes. It’s all thanks to the company’s dedication to giving multi-purpose and quality products to their consumers.
4. Quik-cure 5-Min Epoxy Bob Smith Ind.
Like other products on this list, the Quik-cure 5-Minute Epoxy received a 9/10 rating from its users.
According to the manufacturer, Bob Smith Ind., it has an elastic consistency once the solution is cured; it lacks brittleness, allowing you to create an even more solid bond for areas that are prone to vibration and stress. However, you can’t smudge it on materials that are soaked in the water.
The Quik-cure is ideal for wood, such as the internal structure of a boat. Furthermore, it is the only product that works well with polyester resins.
Though the Quik-cure Epoxy is perfect for wooden materials, it doesn’t mean you can only apply it to this item; this mixture can be smeared on steel as well. You only need to make a mix of epoxy glue for metal by simply combining the two solutions with micro balloons and apply it on the surface of the object that you want to bond. Leave it for 15 minutes, and it will be ready for handling.
Aside from that, the formula uses a different technique when combining the solution. Instead of mixing it, you have to knead it.
Basing from the term “Quik-cure,” you don’t need to wait for a day before you can use the item; it only needs an hour to get its full strength. Despite the intense process, it received several positive reviews from its users. It’s not only because of the price, but it’s more about the epoxy’s durability. In fact, many people said that it’s better than other expensive brands.
5. Great Planes 30-minute Pro Epoxy Formula
Also garnering a 9/10 rating, many people have said that it is the strongest epoxy brand that they’ve used. This product has a durable and reliable cure that sets within 30 minutes!
Great Planes 30-minute Pro Epoxy Formula comes in two parts – a bottle that has a transparent resin, and a tube that contains a yellowish hardener. It’s easy to determine which is which as the container uses the color of the substance. The containers use nozzles with closed tips, enabling you to cut the ends for pouring out the contents. Moreover, the bottles use an excellent sealant that allows you to measure the solutions equally and saves it when not in use.
The Great Planes Pro Epoxy Formula provides modest to solid properties that allow you to bond nearly all materials. The resin and the hardener have almost the same thickness, allowing you to mix and spread the mixture easily.
This epoxy is also available in a liquid form, making things more precise and convenient. However, the substances could cause skin and eye irritation requiring you to wear a pair of gloves when handling these adhesives.
Most adhesives work if the items you want to bond are the same. Though most consumers use it to hold two objects together, you can also use it for other tasks. You can use it as a finishing tool for your woodworking projects or as a dye to cover cracks and holes. Indeed, this epoxy more than just an adhesive as it has virtually unlimited uses.
Bar Top Epoxy Buying Guide
Choosing the right epoxy brand can be overwhelming due to the number of choices you have. Consequently, many people buy the most popular product without even doing some research.
Today, many people use epoxy for various applications and conditions. Its properties depend on the mixing process and the environment. Some of the critical requirements are adhesion, heat, water, and chemical resistances.
Though the brand of epoxy is well-known, it doesn’t mean you don’t need to do your research before buying the item. Here are some guidelines that will help you find the perfect epoxy.
Step 1: Know the Different Types of Epoxy Products
Most of us think that all epoxy products are the same. This is because they all have the same purpose, which is to bond the two objects together.
But this is not the case. There are three epoxy types: polyester resins, pure epoxy, and epoxy acrylates.
1) Polyester Resins – This type of epoxy cures through a process called polymerization. It is a process of a chemical reaction of monomer molecules to create polymer chains or networks. This response doesn’t take long as it only needs a few minutes to get its full strength.
Because it reacts fast, people who are in the construction industry use this epoxy. It helps them build concrete houses and infrastructures, allowing them to finish their work in no time.
2) Pure Epoxy – Pure epoxy is the commonly used type of adhesive in many households. It features a resin and a hardener that you need to mix to get the right consistency.
But unlike the previous form, the curing process is slower. You need to wait for 15 to 24 hours to get its full strength. Moreover, you cannot use it in cold applications as it won’t dry.
Nonetheless, pure epoxy reduces the risk of shrinkage, provides excellent adhesion, and offers durable performance.
3) Epoxy Acrylates – Epoxy acrylates offer both features of polyester resins and pure epoxy. It cures quickly, but it is also resistant to chemicals. These acrylates can also reach high-distinctive loads and can be used in damp and low-temperature applications. However, it’s stiffer than pure epoxy, making it inappropriate for areas that have cracks. Additionally, it has larger mixing portions as opposed to pure epoxy.
Step 2: What Type of Material Will You Use?
Once you’ve chosen the type of epoxy that you prefer, it is a must to consider the material you will use it on. Some brands are specifically designed for a particular material. Nevertheless, there are those that you can apply to various things.
When finding the right epoxy, make sure that it is compatible the objects that you want to bond. For instance, if it’s a dentistry tool, you may opt for epoxy glue for metal. If it’s a boat frame, you need to get an adhesive that is specially designed for wood.
Step 3: Know the Temperature of the Area
Aside from the materials, you also need to consider where to install the object you want to bond. Some epoxy products work on high and room temperatures; others perform well in damp and cold environments. Still, some brands work in both conditions which make them quite convenient.
When getting the right epoxy product, you need to know the temperature of the area. Moreover, you need to know the installation process of the items you want to bond.
For instance, if the object needs to be immersed in the water, you may use a water-resistant epoxy product. If it needs to be exposed to high heat, you need to get a brand that can withstand extreme temperature.
Step 4: Know the Amount of Time That You Need
Epoxy sets and cures differently in terms of its duration. As mentioned earlier, pure epoxy cures and sets longer than polyester resins. It needs 4 to 6 hours to set and another 15 to 24 hours to get its full strength.
Meanwhile, polyester resins only need 5 minutes to set and another 15 to 30 minutes to cure. Thus, when getting the right epoxy, you must consider the amount of time that you have.
If it’s an urgent matter, you need to get glue that sets and cures in no time. In that way, you can continue with your work and finish it as soon as possible. But if you have a lot of time to spare, you may opt for the slow-curing epoxy.
Nonetheless, you must make sure that you won’t exceed the time frame. Otherwise, you won’t get the consistency that you need.
Step 5: Follow the Curing Process
Lastly, you need to follow the curing instructions carefully. Some require equal ratios while others need more epoxy substance than a hardener. As for the mixing procedure, some products require stirring while others need kneading.
Therefore, it is crucial that you read and understand the instructions well. If it says that you must mix equal parts of resins and hardener, then you must do it.
As for the mixing process, you need to be fast yet gentle at the same time. Otherwise, you might get the wrong consistency.
Epoxy can be your best resort as it can stick two tough materials together without a problem. These adhesives can also be immersed in the water when needed. However, you will only enjoy these benefits if you choose the right epoxy brand. With these tips, you will surely get the right epoxy type that fits your needs.
Conclusion
But if we were to select the best brand of epoxy, our top choice would be the System Three 110K10 T-88 Kit for It is the only epoxy product that works on both wet and dry conditions. Furthermore, it doesn’t leave a stain on the wood; thus, keeping its natural beauty. This is because the color turns invisible once it sets and gets its full strength. Hence, nobody will notice that you applied epoxy to its surface.
Lastly, this product can be bought in a cartridge form which means that you can load in a caulking gun, allowing you to smear the substance on the surface with ease. It also eliminates the mess as you can apply it directly on the area. Therefore, people who work in the construction industry use and recommend this product to other buyers.
Though this epoxy is our top pick, you still need to consider other factors regarding the compatibility of the adhesive with the materials you want to apply it on along with the features that you think would suit your needs. It is the only way to get the right epoxy brand.