Stunning Epoxy Resin Makeover of an Old Oak Dining Table

Trash to Table: KassDays' Stunning Epoxy Resin Makeover of an Old Oak Dining Table

In the world of DIY furniture restoration, few transformations are as satisfying as turning a curbside castoff into a sleek, modern showpiece. That's exactly what Kass from KassDays, a YouTuber out of Calgary accomplished in his latest YouTube video, Trash to Table | Dining Table Makeover, uploaded on October 15, 2025. Starting with a battered old oak veneer dining table plagued by white spots, lifts, and years of wear, Kass embarks on an ambitious project to breathe new life into it using epoxy resin. What follows is a hands-on journey of sanding, gluing, filling, and pouring, complete with a few hiccups, that results in a glossy, red-tinted masterpiece. If you're a fan of "trash to treasure" flips, this one's got grit, creativity, and a whole lot of resin magic.The Starting Point: A Worn-Out Relic in Need of RescueKass kicks off the video by unveiling his find: a two-piece oak veneer tabletop attached to a pedestal base, riddled with age-related damage like stubborn white spots and lifted edges. "You won't believe what we did with this old worn-out dining table!" he exclaims in the description, setting the tone for a mind-blowing DIY adventure. Performed entirely outdoors to combat dust and heat, the project underscores Kass's philosophy: thorough preparation is key, and shortcuts are the enemy of quality results. With the table split into halves for easier handling, he dives in, armed with basic tools like a sander, wood glue, Bondo filler, and of course, epoxy resin.Step-by-Step: From Stripped Wood to Resined GloryKass's process is methodical, blending traditional woodworking with the modern allure of epoxy. Here's how he brought the table back from the brink:1. Stripping and Sanding the Old FinishThe first battle? Removing decades of grime and finish. Using coarse 60-grit sandpaper on a power sander, Kass tackles the top's bumps, dirt-filled grooves, and unsightly spots. He follows up with meticulous cleaning, wiping with a cloth and blasting away dust with an air compressor, to ensure a pristine base. For those tricky edges and crevices stubborn with glue residue, he switches to manual sanding. "Dust was everywhere," he notes, highlighting the outdoor setup's role in keeping things manageable.2. Stabilizing the StructureThis table's split design presented an early challenge: dirty, sticky joining edges that needed separation for a deep clean. Kass applies wood glue to dowel holes and edges, leaving a small gap for filler, then clamps the halves together. To beef up stability without messing with the pedestal base, he adds smaller brackets underneath, a smart pivot from his initial larger-bracket plan. Once dry, it's time to fill that pesky gap.3. Filling Imperfections for a Smooth CanvasEnter Bondo filler, Kass's go-to for creating a seamless surface. He spreads it across the centre gap, edges, and ridges using a plastic spatula, shaping it for even coverage. After it cures, hand-sanding removes the excess, flattening everything to perfection. Touch-ups follow for any lingering spots, ensuring the top is groove-free and ready for the next phase.4. Base Coat and Levelling PrepWith the wood prepped, Kass paints the top flat black in two coats using a brush and roller to minimize strokes. Levelling the table with a scale is crucial here—uneven surfaces spell disaster for resin pours. But as we'll see, this color choice sparks some drama later.5. The Epoxy Resin Pour: Where the Magic (and Mess) HappensThe star of the show: epoxy resin. Kass measures equal parts resin and hardener (about 444-452 ml each), mixes in red powder pigment, and stirs vigorously to avoid clumps. Masking tape dams the edges, and he pours the mixture onto the levelled top, letting it self-level into a mirror-like sheen. The first pour uncovers bubbles and unevenness, prompting a full sand-down. Undeterred, he re-pours after adjustments—switching the base to grey for better resin compatibility and adding a thin overlay to banish that middle groove. Timing the tape removal is an art: too soon, and you get thin runoff; too late, and edges don't seal properly.6. Polishing to PerfectionFinal touches involve fine-grit sanding to erase minor flaws like pigment dots (from under-stirring) and small grooves. A quick buff with resin polish restores the shine, yielding a smooth, glossy finish.Challenges Conquered: Lessons from the TrenchesNo DIY epic is without its plot twists, and Kass's project delivers. The black base paint? A resin rebel, it mixed poorly, spawning bubbles and imperfections that forced a total do-over, including sanding off everything and repainting grey for a marble-effect vibe. That persistent centre groove? It lingered post-pour, likely from incomplete filling or wood expansion; Kass muses a thinner overlay might've been wiser next time. Pigment clumping created pesky dots, dust was a constant foe, and early resin days warned against heavy items to avoid indentations. Through it all, Kass's first-time epoxy enthusiasm shines: "This is my first such project," he shares, openly inviting viewer tips.The Grand Reveal: A Modern Masterpiece BornBy the end, the humble oak table has evolved into a unified, solid-surface stunner—no more splits or scars, just a vibrant red epoxy glow over a sophisticated grey base. It's not flawless (minor polishes fixed the rest), but it's a far cry from its trashy origins: a durable, eye-catching dining centrepiece perfect for family gatherings. Kass's reflection? Preparation and precision pay off, turning potential pitfalls into pro tips for fellow flippers.If you're inspired to tackle your own furniture glow-up, KassDays' channel is a goldmine of vlogs, from Alberta ghost towns to motocross thrills. Head over to YouTube to watch the full transformation—it's just under 20 minutes of pure motivation.