Short answer: a self-leveling 1:1 coating (tabletop/countertop) epoxy poured about ⅛" per coat, with a long working time (30–45+ min) for big surfaces. Deep-pour casting epoxy is the wrong product for counters.
| If you want… | Look for |
|---|---|
| Resurfacing laminate, Formica or old stone | Countertop/tabletop coating epoxy plus a bonding primer if the maker calls for one |
| Butcher block / wood | Seal coat first, then flood coat (coverage calculator) |
| Faux marble look | Kit with white/metallic pigments, or add mica within the limit |
| Food prep surface | Read the maker's exact food-contact statement for the fully cured resin; many say "food safe" only after full cure |
| Sunny kitchen or outdoor bar | UV-stabilized formula; or topcoat with a UV-resistant urethane |
About 1 gallon covers roughly 12 sq ft at ⅛" (see the coverage per gallon chart). Use the countertop calculator for L-shapes and islands, and compare kit prices with the cost per ounce calculator.
A self-leveling coating epoxy (often sold as tabletop, bar-top or countertop epoxy) poured in ⅛ in layers, not a deep-pour casting resin.
Some makers state their product is food safe after a full cure. Read the exact wording on the product you buy, and wait out the full cure time.
Most cured epoxies soften with heat; a hot pan can mark or burn it. Use trivets.
Measure square footage, then use about 1 gal per 12 sq ft per ⅛ in coat plus 15–20% for edges.
As an Amazon Associate, ResinMath earns from qualifying purchases.
More tools: resin calculator · mix ratio by weight · cure time · mold volume · tabletop coating · pouring too thick