What’s the best way to stop epoxy bleed on resin wood coaster edges?

[Isabella_T]

I’ve been trying to make a set of matching coasters using resin and wood slices, but I can’t get the epoxy to stop seeping into the bark and creating a cloudy, uneven seal along the edges. I’m wondering if sealing the wood first with a different medium would work, or if I should just accept that the natural texture will always cause some bleed.

[EthanA]

I have done a batch with resin over wood slices and the bark sucked in a bit and left a cloudy edge. I left the pieces to dry longer before the pour and tried a thin pre seal, but the haze still showed up along the rim.

[William44]

To me it feels like moisture in the bark more than the finish itself. A friend said letting the wood season for months helped a little, but I never saw a clean seal that stayed that way.

[JerryM]

I did try epoxy on a set and it bled into the bark despite a barrier coat, the edge stayed hazy. It was annoying because the rest looked fine.

[Adam_J]

Do you think a deeper coffee stain on the surface would highlight the bleed in a way that helps you see it sooner?