From Mundane to Magnificent: 9 Epoxy Upgrades

Epoxy bar and table top projects are often judged by the final shine, but the real story is the transformation in between. Raw wood surfaces—flat, shaped, and carefully prepared—become durable, glass-smooth focal points once properly coated, installed, and integrated into their environments.

This listicle highlights nine before-and-after epoxy projects across both residential and commercial settings. Each pairing shows the same surface at two very different moments in time: first as an unfinished wood substrate in a controlled workspace, and later as a completed epoxy-coated surface in everyday use. Together, they illustrate how thoughtful preparation, realistic working conditions, and a well-executed epoxy finish can elevate ordinary wood into long-lasting, highly functional design elements.

#1: From Raw Slab to Refined Dining Table

Before-and-after view of a solid wood dining table, shown unfinished on sawhorses in a workshop above and finished with a glossy epoxy surface in a dining room below.

An unfinished hardwood tabletop, carefully prepared in a workshop, becomes a durable, high-gloss dining surface once sealed and installed—showing how epoxy transforms both appearance and performance.

Start your own project with UltraClear Bar Top Epoxy!
DIY friendly & professional grade.
👉 Check out our Instagram for more ideas!

#2: A Functional Counter, Refinished for Daily Use

Before-and-after image of a long wood countertop, shown unfinished on sawhorses in a protected workshop above and finished with a smooth epoxy surface in a built-in interior counter below.

What begins as a raw, sanded wood slab in a controlled shop environment becomes a resilient, easy-clean counter once coated and installed—illustrating how epoxy elevates both durability and presentation in high-use spaces.

Start your own project with UltraClear Bar Top Epoxy!
DIY friendly & professional grade.
👉 Check out our Instagram for more ideas!

#3: From Workshop Slab to Statement Surface

The contrast highlights epoxy’s role in refinement: the same wood slab transitions from a utilitarian shop build to a polished focal piece that anchors the room, with added depth, protection, and visual clarity.

Start your own project with UltraClear Bar Top Epoxy!
DIY friendly & professional grade.
👉 Check out our Instagram for more ideas!

#4: A Sculptural Coffee Table, Finished to Last

Before-and-after image of a solid wood coffee table, shown elevated on foam blocks in a workshop before epoxy coating above, and finished with a smooth, glossy epoxy surface in a modern living room below.

What begins as a raw, carefully supported wood form becomes a refined centerpiece once epoxy is applied—preserving the table’s distinctive shape while adding durability, depth, and a clean, furniture-ready finish.

Start your own project with UltraClear Bar Top Epoxy!
DIY friendly & professional grade.
👉 Check out our Instagram for more ideas!

#5: A Home Office Desk, Fully Realized

Before-and-after image of a solid wood desk, shown unfinished on sawhorses in a workshop above, and finished with a clear, high-gloss epoxy surface in a bright home office below.

What begins as a carefully prepared slab in a controlled workshop becomes a functional, everyday workspace.

The epoxy finish deepens the wood grain, adds durability, and creates a smooth, reflective surface suited for daily use without sacrificing warmth or character.

Start your own project with UltraClear Bar Top Epoxy!
DIY friendly & professional grade.
👉 Check out our Instagram for more ideas!

#6: From Workshop Prep to Bar-Ready Finish

Before-and-after image of a long wooden bar top, shown raw and sanded on padded supports in a workshop above, and installed with a glossy epoxy finish in a warmly lit commercial bar below.

This transformation highlights the full journey of a bar top—carefully prepared and supported during finishing, then installed as a durable, glass-smooth surface that elevates the entire bar experience while protecting the wood beneath.

Start your own project with UltraClear Bar Top Epoxy!
DIY friendly & professional grade.
👉 Check out our Instagram for more ideas!

#7: From Workshop Prep to Diner-Ready Finish

Before-and-after image of a rounded-corner wooden booth table, shown unfinished on sawhorses in a workshop above, and finished with a clear epoxy surface installed in an elegant diner booth below.

This booth table’s transformation highlights how epoxy elevates high-traffic furniture. The raw slab, carefully shaped and prepared in the shop, becomes a durable, easy-to-clean dining surface that still showcases the natural movement of the wood grain once installed in a busy restaurant setting.

Start your own project with UltraClear Bar Top Epoxy!
DIY friendly & professional grade.
👉 Check out our Instagram for more ideas!

#8: A Seamless Upgrade for a Public Workspace

Before-and-after image showing a library counter built from multiple unfinished wooden sections on workbenches above, and the same counter installed below with a smooth, clear epoxy finish and rounded edges in a modern library interior.

Large public counters demand both durability and refinement.

This project shows how carefully prepared wood sections are transformed into a unified library counter, with epoxy creating a continuous, glass-like surface that protects the wood while giving the space a clean, contemporary feel suited to daily use.

Start your own project with UltraClear Bar Top Epoxy!
DIY friendly & professional grade.
👉 Check out our Instagram for more ideas!

#9: Outdoor Tables Built for Weather and Wear

Before-and-after image showing two unfinished wooden outdoor table tops on sawhorses in a workshop above, and the same tables installed below under a pavilion in an apartment courtyard with a swimming pool, finished with a clear, glossy epoxy surface.

Outdoor furniture has to handle more than daily use—it has to stand up to moisture, temperature changes, and constant exposure.

These tables move from raw, unfinished wood in the shop to a polished outdoor setting, where a clear epoxy coating adds protection and a reflective finish suited for shared open-air spaces.

Start your own project with UltraClear Bar Top Epoxy!
DIY friendly & professional grade.
👉 Check out our Instagram for more ideas!

Before-and-after comparison of a curved commercial bar top, showing a matte, low-sheen wood surface above and the same bar below finished with a clear, high-gloss epoxy coating that reflects interior lighting and windows.

From Raw Wood to Refined Surfaces

Each transformation in this collection shows how a well-prepared wooden surface can be elevated through careful finishing, thoughtful installation, and attention to real-world use. Whether the setting is residential, commercial, or shared outdoor space, epoxy allows wood grain and form to remain visible while adding durability and visual clarity.

For makers looking to achieve results like those shown here—especially smooth, glasslike finishes that hold up over time—products such as UltraClear Bar & Table Top Epoxy are commonly used for bar tops, tables, and counters where appearance and performance both matter.