Need help on waterproof finish for cherry. The details are I have been asked to design and build a holy water stroup for my church. All the furnishings are of cherry with walnut accents. I plan to use a Italian pewter bowl for the water, and set it in a cherry stand, with a band of cherry around the bowl. My concern is that any water splashed on the wood will damage the finish if I use the same finish (antique oil) as on the other pieces. I do wand the band of wood to have the same appearance as the other pieces.
In many restaurants I have seen good looking wood tables with what appears to be a heavy, apparently thick, yet totally clear finish that is waterproof. Liquids spilled on that surface seem to have no effect on the finish, even when left there for some time. I can find no info locally as to what that finish is.
Can anyone out there enlighten me?? What is the material? How is it applied? — brushed, sprayed, or what? Can it be applied over an antique oil finish or do I need to use something else to get the same sort of effect? Does it require an after application polishing or other process to get it as glass-like? HELP!!
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Replies
That finish you see in restaurants is an epoxy product. I think I have seen it sold as "Bar Top Finish".
The stuff I have seen is actually poured on. It scratches pretty easily.
As far as I know, epoxy is the only way to get water "proof" wood. Essentially, you are encapsulating the wood in plastic.
Surely there are some here who know more about it than I do, though.
Lou,
You may be referring to casting epoxy. Try this site:
http://www.eti-usa.com/consum/index.html
Any properly-applied varnish or lacquer is waterproof. Why don't you consider Behlen's Rock Hard. This is a very high-quality varnish that cures very hard and can be rubbed to a beautiful finish.
Any correctly-applied lacquer will do the job.
The casting epoxy is not a particularly attractive finish for a wood surface. The wood will certainly be encased in plastic, if you care for that look.
Rich
Edited 12/31/2004 8:39 pm ET by Rich14
Rich... thanks for the input. I will follow up on both the eti-usa product and Behlen's Rock Hard on scrap pieces. Again, thanks. Lou
I don't think your piece will be very heavily exposed to water will it? A good varnish finish will be water resistant.Gretchen
Gretchen... thanks for your input.. I expect that most splashes will be minimal, but probably not wiped up routinely. Spar is probably the way to go. Lou
Waterlux is supposed to be waterproof, haven't it used though. They have a website.
mike
As others have said - what you see in restaurants and bars are probably thick, poured-on epoxy finishes. These are readily available at most finishing supply businesses.
Another option that reduces the coated-in-plastic look, is to use a thinned epoxy formulated to penetrate into the wood. You can then apply a regular topcoat over that, or just rely on the epoxy if the piece will not get any sunlight on it (UV destroys epoxy).
http://www.smithandcompany.com sells a penetrating epoxy formula that I have used on furniture. For best results, I would soak all the wood parts in this stuff before assembly; that way, water won't get in behind the finish if it finds its way into a joint or crack.
"Everything should be made as simple as possible, but no simpler." A. Einstein
http://www.albionworks.net
AlbionWood.... thanks for the input. I clicked on the smithandcompany site you provided and found only that the site is for sale. I would like to follow up on your lead on the penetrating epoxy formula you have used. Do you have another source for info on that? Lou
My bad, it is .org instead of .com.
http://www.smithandcompany.org/Cheers,
Tim"Everything should be made as simple as possible, but no simpler." A. Einstein
http://www.albionworks.net
I have made a similar project for our church and I used several coats of polyurethane and it has been about 15 years and the table still looks great. Advised the priest to keep a good coat of paste wax on it and I am sure he has followed through. However, the priest is very neat and wipes up any spills as soon as the ceremony is over. If I were to do it again I would use a spar varnish. I made several towel racks for our bathroom out of red oak and used spar varnish and it has been 10 years now and we put wet bath towels to dry every night and they still look like new. Good luck!
Back when the wife and I were getting started (20 years ago), I finished our red Oak dining table with spar, and it still looks like the day I finished it. I'll add that I have two boys, (14 & 9). It does have a high gloss which some folks may not like, but I do.
Bones.... thanks for your input. Spar has been recommended several times. Your experience is appreciated. Lou
Waterlox is the best and that does not build a thick film one the surface. Also after 6 or 7 applications you can buff it out to a high gloss like a mirror. Very durable, water, and alcohol resistant. Also very easy to repair.
I personal would never use an Epoxy on any furniture for your home. Restaurants use it mostly at Bars. It never looks good.
3fingers.... thanx for your input. I will check it out. Lou
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