Polishing Clear Epoxy River Tables: Sanding to a Glass Finish (400–3000 Grit Guide)

Epoxy river tables combine natural wood with glossy resin, creating stunning furniture pieces. To achieve a flawless, glass-like finish, sanding is critical before polishing. This guide covers the grit sequence and steps for polishing epoxy river tables.

Why Sand Epoxy River Tables?

Epoxy often cures with uneven spots, air bubbles, or ridges. Sanding levels these imperfections and prepares the surface for polishing, ensuring depth and clarity in the final finish.

Best Tools for Epoxy River Table Sanding

• 9x11 in silicon carbide wet/dry sandpaper sheets
• Orbital sander with foam pad
• Bowl of water with mild soap for wet sanding
• Microfiber cloths
• Epoxy-safe polishing compound

Recommended Grit Sequence

• 400 grit: Flatten high spots and drips.
• 800 grit: Smooth scratches from coarse sanding.
• 1200 grit: Refine clarity and prepare for polish.
• 2000 grit: Pre-polish finish.
• 3000 grit: Final sanding before buffing.

Step-by-Step: Sanding Epoxy River Tables

1. Clean the surface. Wipe table free of dust and oils.
2. Start with 400 grit. Wet sand uneven areas until flat. Use 400 Grit (25-pack).
3. Move to 800 grit. Smooth scratches left behind. Try 800 Grit (50-pack).
4. Refine with 1200 grit. Achieve satin clarity. Stock up on 1200 Grit (100-pack).
5. Polish with 2000 grit. Light sanding prepares epoxy for buffing.
6. Finish with 3000 grit. Create a flawless surface ready for polishing compound.
7. Buff and polish. Apply compound with a buffer until epoxy shines like glass.

Special Cases

For heavily uneven pours, start at 220 grit before progressing. Always wet sand epoxy to avoid clogging and heat damage.

Pro Tips

• Sand in small sections for even results.
• Keep surface wet to reduce scratches.
• Alternate sanding directions with each grit.
• Apply furniture wax after polishing for extra protection.

Aftercare

• Clean with mild soap and microfiber cloths.
• Re-polish occasionally to maintain gloss.
• Protect surfaces with coasters to avoid scratches.

FAQs

• Can I dry sand epoxy? Wet sanding is always recommended to prevent dust and damage.
• Do I need to sand to 3000 grit? Yes, for a glass-like finish—otherwise the surface may remain hazy.
• What if the epoxy looks cloudy? Continue through finer grits, then buff—it will clear up.

Watch & Learn

For stunning epoxy finishes, explore our Super Fine Sandpaper Collection.