Yes, low viscosity and slow cure help a lot. Of course possible side effects are the wood pores being more prone to leakage.

Looks like your holes are not all the way through? That can help eliminate the leakage from using tape.

Also check the techniques used for "river tables" as well. They use heat guns/torches to help pop the bubbles that cling onto the surface.

You might be able to use some of the same resin mixes they use as resin could be a lot more affordable.