What You Will Learn
✦ Understanding real wood (including spalted wood)
✦ Prep that actually matters
✦ Epoxy seal coats vs flood coats
✦ Filling, penetration, and surface build
✦ Color choices and long-term epoxy behavior
✦ Using products intelligently
✦ Why epoxy isn’t a skip-steps material
Behind the Build
At Rustic Resin & Wood, we believe in sharing knowledge as much as we share our craft. Whether you're curious about live-edge wood, epoxy techniques, or want to learn how to care for your own piece — this is the place to start.
Types of Wood We Use Explore our guide to the woods we work with — from spalted sweet gum to red cedar and pecan. Learn what makes each species unique and how to identify, handle, and finish them.
Spalted wood is a favorite around here — and it’s one of the features that makes many of our pieces truly one of a kind. Spalting refers to the natural breakdown of wood by fungi, which causes unique colors, patterns, and lines to form inside the grain. While it can happen in any wood, it’s most commonly found in medium to hardwood species that have had the right balance of moisture and airflow during decay.
Spalted Wood Types
Spalted Sweet Gum Bright and wild spalting — oranges, greens, purples, and black marbling are common. This wood is versatile but tends to warp or twist as it dries, so extra clamping and time are needed during woodworking.
Spalted Pecan Closely related to hickory, spalted pecan shows dark brown and orange marbling. It’s a hardwood but more sensitive to temperature changes during air drying.
Spalted Hickory Very dense and durable — often has a darker heartwood and is harder to cut. Spalting adds high contrast lines and bold coloring. Excellent for handles or hard-wearing projects.
Spalted Water Oak Beautiful marbling with oranges, reds, and creams. Though it's a hardwood, it softens slightly when spalted and is easier to shape.
Spalted Sweet Gum - Weathered, cracked, & full of character from being out in the elements for years