Wood and Resin Seahorse

Project by Mich'l Rios of Sylmar, Calif.,

Materials and Tools:

1/4" sheet of masonite
9/64" diameter rattan, soaking in water
glue
clear packing tape
resin
powder or liquid pigment
60- and 600-grit sandpaper
2-part automotive clear coat
Scotchbrite pad
paste wax
wire

Steps:

1. Draw the shape on a 1/4-inch sheet of masonite and cut out using a jigsaw.

2. Drill holes as close as possible to the edge of the piece and space them approximately 1/4 inch apart.

3. Drill a 1-inch hole in the center of the piece (for pouring resin).

4. Using rattan, create the shape of the piece by feeding the rattan up through a hole and then down through the opposite hole. Once done, snip off the excess and glue the rattan to the masonite.

5. Using clear packing tape, cover the rattan so that no resin can leak through. Do this twice.

6. Mix resin with powder or liquid pigment and catalyze according to the label instructions. Pour into the 1-inch hole, moving the piece as needed.

7. Repeat with various colors of your choice to get the desired effect. Let cure.

8. Once the piece has enough layers and has cured, remove tape from the piece.

9. Using a sander with at least 60-grit sandpaper, sand the piece to allow the amount of layers weighted to come through.

10. Wet sand the piece until smooth using 600-grit sand paper

11. Clean the surface and lay the piece on a smooth clean surface. Pour three layers of clear resin over the entire piece, waiting for each layer to dry before pouring the next.

12. Once cured, wet sand the surface with 600-grit sandpaper and then clean the surface once again.

13. Using two-part automotive clear coat and a paint gun, spray the surface with one layer completely and let dry. Then spray another layer and let cure 48 hours.

14. Smooth with a Scotchbrite pad; then wax with a paste wax and buff to the desired shine.

15. Mount wire to the back of the piece and hang on wall.