The penny floor gets its epoxy
Edition #4, Published October 27, 2026
This is part four of building the penny floor in our caboose, The Boise Jewell, where we seal the floor for good.
If you're new here: Janae and I own a caboose sitting on a railroad track in the West End of Boise. We are redoing its bathroom floor with pennies and are launching it as a place to stay here in the next week.
Previously we painstakingly laid out all the pennies into the design we wanted. We let it sit for a few days and it got a little dirty, so we set about cleaning it. Vacuuming turned up some loose pennies, so we reset them and finalized the look. For the epoxy, we chose a type that has a bit of 'flex' to it. The caboose sits on wheels and shocks, and we don't want hard epoxy cracking as the caboose moves. We mixed it, poured it, and brushed it out to about 1/8". This locks each penny in place and will become the surface you'll stand on.
After pouring the epoxy I could see bubbles, froth and imperfections throughout. I used a propane torch to get as many bubbles out as possible, although I am certain that my technique and elbow grease will show as imperfections forever.
Our caboose "The Boise Jewell" opens on Halloween, October 31st, alongside Riverwalk Cottage next door. I'm saving the finished floor for that day. Our followers will get the first chance to book a stay at janaeandmichael.com.
 | Michael and Janae Blood With Michael and Janae Blood: the stays we host in Boise and Idaho and the things we build as a couple. janaeandmichael.com Know someone who would enjoy following along? Forward this to them or invite them to subscribe. |
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