How to Pour a Perfect Flood Coat on Resin Art

A flood coat is that final juicy layer that makes your piece look like it has a glass lens on top. It adds depth, enhances shine, locks in crystals or embellishments, and gives your artwork a high-end finish that people cannot stop staring at.

If you have ever poured a top coat and ended up with thin spots, ripples, trapped bubbles, or a surface that cured unevenly, this guide is for you.

Below is our MEYSPRING method for a thick, level, crystal clear flood coat.

What is a flood coat?

A flood coat is a thicker, clear layer of epoxy resin poured over a fully cured resin artwork. The goal is full coverage with enough resin to self-level into a smooth, glossy finish.

Flood coats work great for:

• Ocean art and wave pieces
• Geode art and crystal clusters
• Charcuterie boards and trays
• Coasters and wall art
• Any resin piece that needs extra depth and shine

Before you pour

Make sure your piece is fully cured

Your base layers should be fully cured before you flood coat. If you flood coat too early, you can trap heat, cause rippling, or get a cloudy finish.

Work in a clean area

Dust and hair are the silent enemies of a perfect top coat. Wipe down your workspace, wear clean gloves, and keep pets and fans away from your pour area.

Level your surface

This is non-negotiable. If your table is not level, your resin will not be level. Use a small level and shim your work surface if needed.

Step 1: Calculate how much resin you need

The primary reason flood coats fail is insufficiently mixed resin. If you run short, you end up stretching resin with your hands, chasing bald spots, and overworking the surface.

Use our Resin Flood Coat Calculator to estimate the right amount of resin required for your project. If your piece has heavy texture or raised elements, then prep a little extra to be on the safe side. Our calculator is easy to use; simply enter the width and length of your canvas or surface. For the layer height, use 0.125 inches, as that’s the average settling point for art resins. The calculator will estimate the amount of resin required to cover your piece, in fluid ounces.

CALCULATOR TIP: Most epoxy resins for art and crafts are a 1:1 mixing ratio. Take the total amount of Resin you got from the calculator and divide it by 2, and you’ll know how much Resin (Part A) and Hardener (Part B) you need to mix for your project.

Step 2: Timing your pour is crucial

This is the secret sauce. Once you have thoroughly mixed Resin parts A and B, wait until the resin has thickened slightly before pouring the flood coat. Not fully thick like honey, that is too late, and not water-thin right after mixing. Most art and craft resins begin to thicken within a few minutes after you finish mixing the two parts. That's when they stay where you want them, self-level beautifully, and give you a thicker build without running off the edges too quickly.

Step 4: Pour generously

Start by pouring over the entire surface, then drizzle around the base of large crystals or embellishments if your piece has them. This helps lock them in and prevents weak spots where pieces can pop loose later.

Use a gloved hand to spread resin across the entire surface, or a plastic spreading tool if your piece is totally flat. You are guiding the resin, not scrubbing it. Gentle, smooth passes work best.

Pro tip for textured pieces: Pay extra attention around edges, corners, and the bases of raised elements. These are the places that love to trap air and leave tiny gaps.

Step 5: Pop bubbles as needed

Even with careful mixing, bubbles can still form. Use your preferred method to pop bubbles and do so in short, quick passes. When using heat tools, aim to make the air bubbles pop without overheating the resin. Many artists and crafters in our community also prefer to spray isopropyl alcohol to burst bubbles, and it works great.

Keep checking for the first 15 to 30 minutes because some bubbles rise slowly, especially around crystals and textured details.

Pro Finishing Tip

Turn the lights down and get level with your piece. Yes really. When the room is darker, and your eyes are close to the surface, you can instantly spot:

• Thin areas or gaps in the resin
• Dust or hair that fell in during the pour
• Tiny bubbles you missed
• Uneven pooling at edges

This one habit is the difference between a good flood coat and a flawless one.

Final thoughts

A flood coat is the step that elevates your piece from handmade to gallery quality. Once you master the timing, the mixing vessel, and the low-light level check, your top coats will consistently be thick, glossy, and smooth. If you want more resin technique guides, explore the rest of the MEYSPRING blog articles and our YouTube tutorials. Happy crafting!