A seal coat is a thin initial layer of resin applied at approximately 1/16 inch depth. It seals porous surfaces — paper, raw wood, acrylic paint, fabric — and prevents air trapped inside from bubbling up through subsequent coats. Always apply a seal coat before a flood coat on mixed-media or absorbent surfaces.

Mix 10–15% more than your calculated surface area requires. Resin is lost during mixing (it clings to mixing vessels), drips over the edges of gallery-wrapped canvases, and a small amount is always wasted during application. The waste buffer in this calculator accounts for this by default.

A seal coat should be approximately 1/16 inch thick. A flood coat should be approximately 1/8 inch thick. Applying resin too thin can result in an uneven, pulled-back finish. Applying too thick in a single pour can cause excess heat buildup during curing, which can yellow or crack the resin.

Most artists-grade epoxy resins use a 1:1 volume ratio — equal parts Part A (resin) and Part B (hardener). This calculator uses a 1:1 ratio. Some specialty resins use a 2:1 ratio; always check your specific product's instructions before mixing.