Jun 15th 2023
You’ll Have Good Luck: The Resin Penny Table
The saying goes, “See a penny, pick it up; all day long, you’ll have good luck.” Though many of us are familiar with the saying, it is only one of the variations of that particular pearl of wisdom that exists. Along that line of superstition, each of the two sides of a penny is said to hold significance when it comes to luck, too.
Either heads or tails, we’ve got a fun resin DIY project for you. Make use of any pennies, coins, or tokens you have lying around by creating a coin or penny table!
The Penny Table Process: In for a Penny…
…in for a pound! So if you’re ready to go all in on this project, here are some tools we recommend to for getting started:
- ProMarine Supplies Table Top Epoxy
- Lots of pennies or coins (like, a lot, depending on what space you’re trying to fill)
- Superglue
- Measuring and mixing cups
- Stir sticks
- Disposable gloves
- A table or surface you want to apply the coins to
- A leveling tool
- A blow torch
The first step you should do to prepare is to ensure your table or surface is level. You can use a leveling tool for the most accurate results.
Next, you’ll tackle that mound of money. Have all of the coins you want to adhere nearby and arrange them how you’d like on the tabletop. Feel free to get rid of any you don’t like the look of. This project is all about aesthetics! However, you may have to sand down some coins to make them fit in the corners.
Once you have placed the coins, you’ll be gluing down every last one. Allow a proper amount of time for them to dry once you’re finished.
Don’t forget to seal the edges of your surface with tape or anything else that will prevent the epoxy from spilling down the sides.
Now, it’s time to mix up a seal coat of our epoxy! For this guide, we’re going to be using ProMarine Supplies Table Top epoxy. Measure out what you need in a 1-to-1 by volume ratio. If you’re wondering how much epoxy you’ll need to cover a particular surface, we’ve got a handy epoxy calculator tool for you.
If you decide to use the calculator tool, you’ll need to know the length and width of the surface. Additionally, you should have an idea of the desired thickness you’d like for the resin layer and whether or not you need a seal coat. For a penny table, it’s definitely a good idea to have a seal coat.
When you mix the two-part epoxy resin, do so to the label’s specifications slowly and thoroughly to ensure that any bubbles created are minimized. Scrape the sides and the bottom of the cup with a stir stick to ensure you use all the resin.
It’s time to pour! You can either use a brush or your gloved hand to push around the resin for an even coat. To eliminate any bubbles, feel free to implement any bubble-popping methods you are familiar with.
Allow the seal coat to dry for four hours in an environment free of any dust or debris.
Once it’s dry, mix up another batch of the tabletop epoxy in a clean container and pour it on the sealed surface.
Smooth it out using whatever method you like. Our epoxy resin has self-leveling capabilities, but it’s good to help it along and ensure it coats evenly.
Remove any bubbles in this layer by using your preferred bubble-popping method. In this case, we use a blowtorch, although you should always be cautious when wielding one.
Let the resin cure for three days in an area that is clean and free of dust with an ambient temperature of around 75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Once the surface has fully cured, your penny epoxy table is complete! It’s a pretty, inexpensive DIY project, when you consider how much coin you put into it.
For a Perfect Smooth Finish
Although our epoxy resin usually has a glossy finish, imperfections can sometimes crop up, or perhaps the shine doesn’t quite fit your vision. Fortunately, we know of many tools to help you with the process of sanding down and polishing those imperfections.
For a high-gloss finish, you might want to consider ProMarine Supplies’ Pro Polishing Compound.
A Not-So-Dreadful Penny: Coin Table Ideas
Using coins to cover a tabletop surface is a surprisingly versatile idea. Creators have combined pennies, nickels, dimes, and more with a variety of materials to craft unique, sophisticated patterns to suite any aesthetic. Using currencies from across the world or even arcade tokens can liven up any space. You're certainly not just limited to penny tabletop designs! A similar process can be followed to create bottle cap tables, as well.
Beyond this, DIYers have taken to coating larger surfaces with coins. In fact, we’ve seen instances of penny bar tops and penny epoxy floors, too. The process of creating resin penny flooring would certainly be a more involved, but not impossible feat. With all the gorgeous results we’ve seen, we think it would be worth it!
Talk with Us at ProMarine Supplies
Any questions about flipping an old table in a really crafty way? Contact us or take a look at our FAQs page.
Prefer to follow along with a video? Click for our Epoxy Penny Table Tutorial.
Have a unique way of turning everyday objects into works of epoxy art? Share it with us on our social media found here.
Happy crafting!