Why Resin Countertops Are the Perfect Beginner Project (Fun, Affordable, and a Real Side Income)
Why Resin Countertops Are the Perfect Beginner Project (Fun, Affordable, and a Real Side Income)
Never Poured Resin Before? Good. Start Here.
Maybe you’ve watched a resin video late at night and thought, “I could never do that.” Or maybe you thought, “Wait, could I actually do that?”
You can. You don’t need to be an artist, own a big shop, or spend a fortune. If you can follow a recipe, you can make countertops that look like natural stone.
Here’s why resin is one of the most fun, affordable and rewarding skills you can pick up, and how some people turn it into extra income.
Click on picture to see full video
How to Make Labradorite Countertops From Scratch
Reason #1: It’s Fun
Every pour is one of a kind. No two countertops ever come out the same. You mix the colors, lay in the veins, and watch the resin move into patterns you couldn’t plan if you tried. That is the fun of it.
The “wow” moment is real. When you mist isopropyl alcohol across wet resin and pass a torch over it, the surface opens into cells and movement that look like real stone. We call it reactive resin, and it gets people every time.
It’s fast. On our Brown Dolomite pour, the artistic part took about five minutes of working time.
You don’t need to be an artist. In the video above, builder Brian Gurry (The American Builder) joked that he couldn’t even draw a circle. Mike walked him through our Labradorite recipe step by step, and he had never made that finish before. By the end, his reaction was simple: he’d put it in his own house right now.
The recipes take out the guesswork. We have color recipes for all kinds of looks: White Granite, Black Pearl, Jade Emerald, Silverstone, Labradorite, Rainforest Green and more. Each recipe tells you which colors to use and how much. The recipe calculator at remodelresin.com tells you exactly how many drops to add for the amount you’re mixing. You follow along, and your learning curve speeds way up.
Click on picture for full video
How to make Rainforest Green
Reason #2: It’s Affordable
You go over what’s already there. Resin goes right over existing countertops, including laminate, tile and old surfaces. No demolition, no hauling debris, no waiting weeks on a slab. We even have a full video on covering old tile countertops without demo.
The training is free. Remodel Resin 101 walks you through every stage: prep, priming, pouring, sanding and top coat. You don’t pay to learn.
You can start small. Rezinite kits come in a half-gallon size that covers about 10–14 sq ft. That’s plenty for sample boards or a small vanity.
Rezinite is built for learning. It’s our extended-working-time resin with an easy 1:1 mix ratio. You get more time to blend, vein and fix things before it sets.
You can try every color first. If you want to test colors before committing to a whole kitchen, the Mini Ultimate Sample Kit puts the full color system in one box:
Two resin systems (one fast-set, one extended working time)
Black and white primer
All 7 True Tint colors
The full metallic powder collection
Mixing tools
No expensive tools. Mike uses DIY-level tools on purpose: a drill with a mixing paddle, a torch, a random orbital sander, a jigsaw. A two-car garage is plenty of shop.
No middleman. We make our products and ship them direct from Oregon. That’s how we keep the price down without cutting corners on quality.
Compare that to stone. Natural stone slabs can run thousands of dollars before fabrication and install even start. With resin, you get that high-end look for a fraction of the cost, with your own hands.
Click on picture for full video
Turn Old Countertops into White Granite
Reason #3: It Can Bring In Extra Income
Here’s something that surprises a lot of beginners. About half the people who watch our videos aren’t looking to do it themselves. They’re asking, “Is there anyone in my area who can do this for me?” That means there’s real demand for people who know how.
If you’re wondering how to go from your first sample board to your first paying job, here’s what Mike and Kathryn would do if they were starting over tomorrow.
1. Start in whatever space you have. Mike started in his living room. Don’t wait on a shop or a shed, and don’t spend a lot of money up front.
2. Finish Resin 101, then buy a kit. Learn the full process before you pour anything big.
3. Pour lots of samples. Sample boards are where you get good. Try different recipes and techniques, and keep the ones you love.
4. Do your own kitchen. Your own countertops become your first showroom and your best proof.
5. Sell your samples. List finished sample boards on Facebook Marketplace and let that money buy your next round of materials. Your work pays for your next work, with no debt in the middle.
6. Post your progress on your own social media. Use the Facebook and Instagram accounts you already have. It doesn’t have to be polished, just sample boards and visible progress. People love watching someone get good at something. Ask your family and friends to share, because that free reach goes further than you’d expect.
7. Move up to full-size slabs. Once you’re past small boards and pouring full 8-foot slabs, post those on Marketplace as prefab tops. People see a finished slab and reach out, and those conversations can become your first jobs. A small boost of around $20 behind that one listing is worth testing to reach more interested people.
8. Let the work bring people to you. Early on, skip paid ad companies and website developers, and skip going door to door. Doing your own marketing teaches you your local market: what people in your area want and what they’ll pay for. You’d miss that if you handed it off.
Add-ons help too. Once you’re comfortable, upgrades like chiseled rock edges add value to a job and give customers a high-end option to choose from.
From there, referrals build on themselves. Eventually you get to decide whether to keep running it from home or move into a shop. That’s a good decision to have in front of you, and it starts with one sample board.
Want to go pro? When you’re ready to take it further, our Pro Certification program is the next step. Start with the free training and your own samples first.
Results vary from person to person. See our Earnings Disclaimer.
What You Can Make With Resin
Countertops are where most people start, but they’re not the only thing you can pour:
Kitchen countertops and islands
Bathroom vanities
Tabletops and desktops
Backsplashes
Sample boards and accent pieces
Your First Project: Where to Start
Watch Remodel Resin 101 from start to finish.
Pick a recipe you love from our Color Gallery & Kits.
Start with a sample board. It’s small, low pressure, and teaches you how the resin moves.
Use Rezinite for the extra working time while you’re learning.
Pour, sand, top coat, and step back to admire your first piece of functional art.
This Looks Like Expensive Natural Stone… But It's Remodel RESIN!
Click on picture for full video
Frequently Asked Questions
Is resin hard for beginners?Not if you follow the recipe and the training. Our recipes tell you exactly which colors to use and how much, and Resin 101 walks you through every step.
Do I need to be artistic?No. Brian Gurry joked that he couldn’t draw a circle, and he still poured a Labradorite finish he’d put in his own house.
How much does it cost to get started?Less than you might think. The Resin 101 training is free, and Rezinite comes in a half-gallon kit made for sample boards and small first projects.
Which resin should a beginner use?Rezinite. It has extended working time and an easy 1:1 mix ratio, so you have more time to work.
Do I need a big shop?No. Mike started in his living room, and his tutorials are filmed in a shop the size of a two-car garage.
Can I really make money with resin?Some people do. Start with samples, sell them locally, post your progress, and let the work bring people to you. Results vary.
Can I go over my existing countertops?Yes. Resin goes over laminate, tile and other existing surfaces without demolition.
Where do I start?Watch the free Resin 101 course, pick a recipe, and pour your first sample board.
You Got This.
Comments