Abstract: A method and article of preparing a synthetic solid surface material having a simulated burled wood effect in a pattern therethrough comprising the steps of: preparing a matrix of isophthalic polyester resin, alumina trihydrate (ATH), iron oxide pigments and pearlescent mica pigments, mixing said matrix completely in a vessel, catalyzing said matrix with methyl ethyl ketone peroxide (MEKP) in said vessel, placing said vessel containing said matrix into a vacuum for removing any trapped air in said matrix, removing said matrix from said vacuum, preparing a burling effect material which comprises polyester resin, ATH, iron oxide pigments, and pearlescent mica pigments wherein said iron oxide and pearlescent pigments are chosen to simulate the color of the grain of a wood to be simulated and are generally a darker color than said matrix and said burling effect material has a specific gravity slightly less than the composition of said matrix, catalyzing said burling material with methyl ethyl ketone peroxide (MEK

Abstract: An article and method of preparing a synthetic solid surface material having a simulated burled wood effect in a pattern formed by preparing a resin matrix with iron oxide pigments and pearlescent mica pigments, adding a darker mica pearlescent pigment and/or an iron oxide pigment composition with a slightly less specific gravity than the matrix for the creation of a burling effect, pouring into a flat substrate in paths, and applying vibration or agitation which generally allows or speeds the darker pigment to rise and bubble to create a burling effect on the back side of the solid surface. The back side of the slab, the surface generally not in contact with the mold, is then sanded to the desired thickness on a wide belt sander.