How can i get a bubble-free, crystal-clear epoxy finish for coasters?

[Nicholas.H]

I’ve been trying to make a set of coasters with a nice, smooth resin finish, but I keep getting tiny bubbles trapped right on the surface after it cures. I sand them down and try a second pour, but then the layers sometimes look cloudy where they meet. Is there a way to get that perfectly clear, glass-like result in one go?

[Nicholas_J]

I’ve chased that same problem for weeks. I’ll pour and see teeny surface bubbles that stubbornly sit there after cure. I end up sanding and re‑pouring, and the second layer never looks as clean.

[AvaT]

I tried degassing a bit, and it helped some. I bought a small vacuum chamber and ran it for a few minutes, then warmed the resin to about 75F and stirred slowly. I pour in a thin ribbon and keep the mold warm. The bubbles reduced, but I can’t promise it will fix every pour.

[LukeKJ]

Maybe the problem isn't bubbles at all. Could humidity or mold release be leaving a film and making the top cloudy where layers meet?

[Jeffrey.M]

I once started thinking about the molds and whether the surface had a tiny tilt that catches the clear layer as it cures. Drifted away from the bubbles for a while, came back and still not satisfied. It’s hard to call it a win when you see those specks in the end.