How to Make a Fun Halloween Epoxy Eyeball Display!

Last spring, while experimenting with epoxy, I (Vicki) came up with a new epoxy design technique.

This new epoxy technique uses Dawn PowerWash and spray paint to transfer a design onto an epoxy project. The areas under the Dawn will be transparent in the final project. It doesn’t seem like it would work, but it does. This technique opens up even more creativity when using silicone molds and epoxy from TotalBoat.

When I found this technique was successful, I couldn't wait to make this googly eye spooky charcuterie board for Halloween!

And yes, if you move that board, the eyeballs totally move!

Supplies

Materials:

TotalBoat TableTop Epoxy (Amazon)
TotalBoat MakerPoxy Crystal Clear Artist’s Resin (Amazon)
TotalBoat Charcuterie Board Silicone Molds (Amazon)
Dawn Powerwash Spray (Amazon)
Spray Paint (Amazon)
Glitter (Amazon)
Googly Eyes (Amazon)
Stazon Ink Refill (Amazon)
Alcohol ink in orange (Amazon)
Mixing cups with measure markings (Amazon)
Heat Gun (Amazon)
PPE, mask, eye protection, gloves

Step 1: Watch the Video

The video features a second charcuterie board, but this Instructable will only feature the eyeball board. The round tray is the second charcuterie board featured in the video. It uses the same Dawn/spray paint technique and utilizes glitter in layers in it's design.

Step 2: Spray Paint the Silicone Mold

The secret ingredient for this technique is Dawn PowerWash spray which is sprayed lightly onto the mold. I want to create a background with small holes rather that's why I use a light coating of the Dawn.

I'm using gloss spray paint to cover the Dawn. I've only used gloss paint so I don't know how this would work with flat or satin paint.

I used Rust-Oleum gloss in Colonial Red. I let this dry for 20 minutes and then rinsed the board to remove the soap. The board can be left to dry naturally or it can be gently blotted with a paper towel. What I discovered in my experimentation is the spray-painted design bonds with the epoxy leaving the silicone mold totally clean with the exception of the edge. I clean up the edges with alcohol and then wash and dry the mold before storage.

Step 3: Layer One: Epoxy and Eyeballs

I mixed up about 8 ounces of TotalBoat TableTop epoxy and poured it into the mold. Once the epoxy had settled out, I used a heat gun to remove the bubbles.

I started putting the googly eyes in place starting with the largest of the three sizes. A plastic pair of tweezers helped to set the smallest of the eyes.

The eyes will continue to drift towards the surface until the epoxy has thickened. Gently press them back down into the epoxy with a toothpick. I checked back every 10 minutes to see if adjustments needed to be made or if another pass of the heat gun was needed to remove air bubbles.