Home Bar Top

[Brian Schursky]

Hi again Per,
Thanks for the info. What do you mean tooth it with 320, Do then wipe it with alcohol? I don't know what a tech rag. I was thinking put the varnish on with a squeezy. Your scaring me when you said don't be disapointed.
Brian

[Jim Becker]

Per means give it a light sanding with 320 paper to give the surface something for the varnish to stick too. He's also saying to not use a commercial "tack rag" as these sometimes leave residues that mess up finishes. Rather, just wipe the sanded epoxy surface with a lint-free cloth with a little alcohol on it to remove the sanding dust prior to proceeding with the Behlen's Rock Hard varnish.

[Jim Summers]

No thread swiping intended, but I have heard using a micro-fiber cloth is a good thing. I think it can be rinsed with water to clean it out and re-used.

[Per Swenson]

Sorry Brian,

I didn't mean to dash that off with out a full explanation.

But Jim did a fine job of interpreting.

Don't be afraid though, but we do every top as if it was our first time.

If we have a Boo-Boo, that's what sanders are for.

I say this because nobody I know has a factory that can finish

a 30/40 foot continuous bartop under perfect conditions and then transport it.

This leads to dust and temp fluctuations during the cure.

Here is a shot prepolished of what you should come out with.

Per

[Jim Becker]

I tried a little color correction on Per's picture to see if the top is displayed a little clearer. Hard with no "white" reference, however....so it's not what I really was trying to do. Oh, well...

bartop.jpg

[ken gibbs]

1) Is the two part epoxy sold as "BAR FINISH" ?

2) Is 'BAR FINISH" a brand name or can you reference the brand name of two part finish you used ?

3) Are the directions/instructionson the container accurate?

4) Are there any product web sites I can vist and get some additonal information about "Bar Finishes", compatible stains, and the "hard" topcoat you referenced?

Thanks for your help.

Ken Gibbs

[Brian Schursky]

Hi Ken,
Whats up
The Epoxy is 2 part 1:1 ratio. I got a sample (2 qts) It's called Kleer Koat Mfg by West Systems. from www.mrfiberglass.com. I couldn't measure it by volume so I went to US Composites at www.shopmaninc.com and they were able to answer my questions about the temp. and the specific gravity so I could measure it out in grams.

The varnish (Behlen's Rockhard Table Top Varnish) I got a small can from www.woodcraft.com.
Brian

[Per Swenson]

No it is not BAR FINISH.

That is a different product which will give you

the plastic laminate look.

When we started doing this we had west systems on the phone.

They told us straight out not to use their product for this type of

application and went so far as to recommend MAS.

For that type of honesty we will bend over backwards for west systems

epoxy on our other projects.

Per

[Brian Schursky]

Hi Per,
How are you? Should I try a sample from Mas instead of the Kleer Koat. If so which one should I try out.
Brian

[Per Swenson]

Hi Brian,

Well, its like this.

The decision is yours.

We will only use Mas for this application on future projects.

What I would do, because we have not used clear coat,

is get every body on the phone and ask questions

one key question is just how clear is it.

(Epoxies tend to yellow).

Just like west systems Mas answer's the telephone.

The elk here is 5/8ths deep. 2 pours.



Per

[Alex Carrera]

I'm starting a bar in a friend's basement, and was just going to use table top varnish on it. What's the benefit of using the epoxy under it?

[Per Swenson]

Finish is all about light reflection.

A perfectly flat surface reflects uniformly.

Looks like glass.

That is tough to do on a Bartop and keep it that way.

Not only will epoxy let you sand to a flat surface it will

leave a impermeable flat surface only subject to UV light.

The table top varnish will take care of the UV.

I used to Drink. Alot.

I have experienced first hand the rigors put through a surface buy both drunks and raw alcohol.

Not to mention sticky sugary mixtures some find to their liking.

The other deal with Bartops (in the home) rarely are they cleaned promptly.

Don't worry I'll get it in the morning, The Giants are on.

So, super durability, longevity and finish.

And never let drunks smoke on your bar.

Per

[Brian Schursky]

Hi Everyone,
How are you guys? Question for Per. I ordered a small sample from the MAS Epoxy people. (Handy Repair Kit Slow) which is the Low Mas Viscosity Resin and MAS Slow Hardner to try out instead of the Kleer Koat. The lady at MAS said it was a better product than the Kleer Koat. She was saying why use the Behlen's varnish at all if the Bar top is inside. Do you recommend to still use the varnish? Also what would you use on the Oak Arm Rail?
Thanks Brian

[Per Swenson]

Even reflected sunlight is no good for clear

Epoxy.
Varnish polishes much nicer and easier then epoxy.

Varnish on top of epoxy is Ideal.

Per

[Chris Padilla]

The elk here is 5/8ths deep. 2 pours.

Per

Nice work on the elk, Per. Yours? Nice to see 4 fingers on your right hand still! I assume the left is similar....