Finishing a bar top.

[Mikeyfondu]

Hey everybody I have my first bar to build !  I got a maple live edge slab that a surfaced with a router sled and sanded with my belt sander and ro 125.
For the finish I want something waterproof so that you don't have to worry about water rings, I also want it to be durable as well.

My ideas are

1- general Arm-r-seal thinking about 5 or 6 coats.

2- West system barrier coat followed by (top coat not sure what I am allowed to use)

3- waterlox but I cant find a distribute in canada

I would love any  info/experience/ideas from you guys
Thank you so much..
mike

 

[Holmz]

There are 2 schools of thought with water.
If you are not oiling it and maintaining it, the the epoxy may "be the go".
You have to oil it and fix it with the oil approach, whereas the epoxy lasts longer and is more work when it needs 'a fixin'.

What grit did you belt sand it to?
Did that almost not require the RO in RO mode?

It looks good.

I usually use a 2 pack automotive clear coat as a UV inhibitor over epoxy.
I have heard of other stuff being used (Urethane, varnish).

You could probably also just brush on lacquer.

 

[tjbnwi]

Last one was WaterLox, looks great on the walnut.

Tom

 

[Mikeyfondu]

Thanks. Holmz
I used 50-80-120 on the belt sander it did quick work.
I didn't need the RO .
Thanks a lot for the info !

Tom that walnut does look beautiful, great job !
How many coats did you put on there?
I still can't find Waterlox in Canada anybody know of any dealer?
If not I live on the boarder but the exchange is killer right now.

 

[tjbnwi]

3 coats, sanded between. It needs air flow to dry/cure.

Tom

 

[b.hog]

I've used General Finishes hi perf on bar tops with great success.

 

[Holmz]

...
I still can't find Waterlox in Canada anybody know of any dealer?
If not I live on the boarder but the exchange is killer right now.

[member=30179]Mikey f[/member]  - Thanks for the belt sander info.

The supplies will not be any cheaper in Canada if the costs are adjusted to the dollar.
You have at least 2 choices:
- Either pick one and commit to it.
- Try each on sample pieces

The later approach is expensive, but might be best if you are doing it often, or if you have a lot of materials and time investment in the project.
I suspect that all three approaches are good.

 

[mike_aa]

Per Swenson and his father (now deceased) built and finished a bar some years ago.  I learned a lot about finishing from them in this post:
http://www.festoolusa.com/Web_files/Per_Swenson_Sanding_Bar_Top.pdf

 

[tiralie]

I still can't find Waterlox in Canada anybody know of any dealer?

Exotic woods in Burlington sells it. If you're not in the area give them a call and they might be able to send you a can.
Tim

 

[Mikeyfondu]

Hey you guys are the best thank you so much for the info!

I have decided to go with waterLox because it looks beautiful, and is easy to use. I love that the owner can easily give a new coat when he thinks it needs it with no sanding,just a good cleaning.

I will do a test with the cut off of the slab with a epoxy barrier coat to see how different it looks.
I feel it would add protection, but worried it won't look the same as the rest of the bar with just waterlox.

I will post pics of this project when she's all done !

Thank you again!

Mike

 

[Mikeyfondu]

I still can't find Waterlox in Canada anybody know of any dealer?

Exotic woods in Burlington sells it. If you're not in the area give them a call and they might be able to send you a can.
Tim

Thank you Tim. I ordered it on Friday, they shipped Friday. Great service,price,speed!

 

[tiralie]

Glad they could help you.
Tim

 

[Mikeyfondu]

Update I got my waterLox and I am on my second coat.
It is looking really good, and is easy to apply.
I picked up some finish storage bags from lee valley, and empty the 3 gal container into three bags for air tight storage.

 

[Mikeyfondu]

Well the bar is finally done.
Solid maple live edge bar top 41mm thick.
Bar made of solid maple, panels are veneered ply.
All wood work finished with waterlox x3 coats.
Cabinets where bought.

Thank alot to fog memeber for your help

Mike