Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/Finishing bar top

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Expert: - 4/25/2010


Question
Hi, I have a question regarding on what to use as a clear finish for the bar topper that I am building. What is unique about this bar top is that it is made out of bottle caps. I had made the topper itself from plywood, made a frame around the edge as a border and then filled the interior with bottle caps using contact cement to adhere them to the topper. The next step of the project is to fill all the empty space between caps and to give the top a nice clear coating so that anything spilled won't ruin the table. I was wondering what you would recommend to be the best product to use. Thanks alot.

Answer
Hi Brandon, the only thing I see working here would be a pour on epoxy coating that will fill all the gaps and result in a smooth surface once cured. Unfortunately the contact cement may pose a problem, because it's a rubbery glue and the epoxy will not flow around it and stick to it very well. You should have use a clear epoxy like West or System 3 which would be compatible with the epoxy pour. These type of poured finishes, (I'm sure you've seen them at other Bars and/or Restaurants), are also tricky to do, and require some experience and knowledge to pull off. I would always recommend creating a smaller test top, to do a sample pour, so that you can see the idiosyncrasies and pitfalls you might encounter with such a project, before committing to the real job...because once you commit, you're thoroughly committed, and there's no going backwards.Once the epoxy cures, you're done and there's no second chance.There's a lot of products and advice on the 'net, I'd spend some serious time reading and learning, here's a few links to get you started. Hope that helps- regards- Greg

http://www.epoxyproducts.com/bartop.html

http://www.uscomposites.com/kk121.html

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Greg Scholl

Expertise

Questions on Woodworking, wood finishing and refinishing of all kinds, repairing furniture and wooden objects, Architectural details, Woodturning, carving, tool usage, product usage, some chemistry as it applies to woodworking and related interests,cabinet making and furniture construction/design, etc. I have experience with all manners of colorants, finishes, paints, stains, dyes, glazes, and coatings, wood species recognition and usage,tool recommendations, blade types and recommendation,techniques and methods for many Woodworking related issues, etc.

Experience

Fine furniture restorer and cabinet maker for over 30 years,serving high end Antique dealers, Interior designers, Collectors in the CT area. Consulting for area Painting/Decorating and Building contractors on non painting issues..(staining, wood prep.,clear finishing, floor restoration and architectural detail restoration and repair, etc.) Sold, built, serviced, setup Home, Industrial, and Commercial stationary woodworking tools for a major tool retailer in CT. for three years, sold hand and power tools , provided knowledge, parts replacement, service, and on site service, Trade show Demo, and training as well.

Publications
Published in Fine Woodworking Magazine (12/97), included on Fine Woodworkings first "Best of Fine Woodworking" CD-ROM (2002) ...("27 year compilation of expert know-how")

Education/Credentials
Art School at Silvermine Guild in Norwalk, CT., 9 year apprenticeship in a European run Cabinet and Restoration shop in CT., various classes on subjects having to do with the field. Seminars from major Tool manufacturers, Skil/Bosch, Delta, Powermatic, Ritter, Porter cable, Milwaukee, Dewalt/B&Decker, Performax.

Past/Present Clients
Many varied clients including work on Martha Stewarts' Westport, CT. show house, many fine Antique dealers and private collectors in and around Fairfield County and in Woodbury, CT. (the Antiques capital of CT.), Golden Age of Trucking Museum, Wilton Historical Society.

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