I have a top for my new cutting room sewing table and wonder if anyone has finished a top with Clear Resin?
Mary
Thanks for reaching out with your question @MaryTonnz.
Let me tag @r23on and @Mathy to see if they can share any thoughts to kick off this discussion. Our resident D.I.Y. expert @EricL will also be happy to help when he's back on the site on Friday.
Stevie
Thank you Stevie 🙂
Hello @MaryTonnz
Thank you for sharing your question about the tabletop resin finish.
I've only seen the Feast Watson 1m² Glass Finish applied to a small area. But the finish is amazing, there is a short video on the product page that actually shows you how it's applied. The video actually uses a small butane torch to remove bubbles in the resin. Here is the link to that torch Tradeflame 220g Butane Power Gas Heating Torch.
Using clear resin on flat tops creates droplets that might go onto your benchtop or floor. Make sure to cover your work area with plastic or an old shower curtain. Make sure that you have a cardboard box bigger than the project to cover your tabletop. This will prevent dust insects and curious fingers from touching the resin before it is cured.
Please make sure to follow the recommended drying time to make sure that the resin is totally dry.
We are very keen to see your tabletop once you've finished. Any photos and updates you can provide will be much appreciated.
If you need more information please let us know.
Eric
Thanks for that information Eric. I have been watching some stuff on the television where they just poured the resin on and it was dry within an hour. No torch etc needed. That must be a different kind of resin to the one you mention I think? The tabletop I am looking at doing is basically a large door that I am going to use as a cutting table for my sewing & it has ridges down it that I want to smooth out that's why I thought the resin would work.
Hi @MaryTonnz,
Hopefully @LePallet might be able to share his expertise. I know Rylie has worked with resin before, including on this project - Outdoor bar made from recycled materials with a coin feature in the bench top
Jason
I'm glad I could help, some kits can cover a larger area but still require the steps that I mentioned. Often the kits we see on Youtube are from overseas and are not available locally. If you really want to cover this table with resin, perhaps you should give it serious consideration.
My other recommendation is to give it a flawless finish with Cabot's 1L Water Based Gloss Cabothane Clear Polyurethane Timber Varnish.
Here is a handy step-by-step guide: How to restore wooden furniture
Let me tag our experienced member @DanaR who recently upcycled a beautiful buffet sideboard. Her finish on the top was impressive.
If we can help you with any of your other projects at home please let us know.
Thank you @EricL I'm still bumbling along with my upcycling!
@MaryTonnz It's a bit confusing sometimes and even more so when there's so many choices! For my finishes, I follow 'Keep It Simple Sweetheart.' Meaning Bunnings has a simple option for just about every thing! I use Squirts Gloss Spray in a can. 2 Coats and the finish is like glass!
Simple. cheap and hard wearing.
Protite Clear Casting Resin is perfect if you want to embed something IN resin. I haven't used it as a pouring resin or for a thick, clear finish over pint or a transfer.
Another option is a product called Glass Finish by Feast Watson. It's a 2 part epoxy resin that is super tough and hard wearing. It's scratch resistant and super glossy. It's a bit pricey but if you plan on doing a lot of items it pays for itself.
Bunnings staff are used to us newbies and have a LOT of patience! (They don't run and hide when they see me entering the store!)
I hope this helps, Cheers Dana
Thanks Dana, the keep it simple stuff is what I am looking for. your cabinet looks terrific 🙂
You are very welcome. I'm asking questions all the time plus I try to do stuff as inexpensively as possible. (I think they'll be less tears if I stuff something up and I didn't spend a lot of money on it!) Let me now how your table top goes - I can't wait to see the results. You got this!
I'm still giving it a lot of thought. I am still waiting on my garage conversion to my studio/sewing room before I need it. The table top to be is a large door that was not used and has ridges in it. I want it smooth so I can cut fabric on it and thought resin would be the way to go.
Thanks Eric but my table top "to be" is a large door that wasn't used and I plan to use it in my [hopefully soon to be finished] garage conversion to a studio/sewing room, and I need a smooth surface for laying out fabric for cutting out. That is why I thought the resin would fill the grooves in the door to make it smooth.
It sounds like CustomWood MDF 3mm 2440 x 1220mm White Melamine Backing might work well for you. The team in-store can cut it to the exact door size, and you could glue it to the surface. It's only a very thin 3mm sheet and has an ultra-smooth melamine coating on it. Perfect for laying fabric out on. However, if this is to be a rustic build and you want to keep the look of the recycled door, then, of course, this idea would spoil it.
Mitchell
thanks Mitchell, that probably sounds a better idea. The door is a new white door, just not used as it was slightly damaged on one end, so not a rustic look there. 🙂
@MaryTonnz,
To adhere the sheet to the door, you could spread a very thin amount of Selleys 420g Liquid Nails Fast Grab Strong Adhesive over the surface of the door and then tack the sheet down around the perimeter with Paslode 20 x 1.6mm 100g Bright Steel Flat Head Nails. Just make sure you tap the nail in fractionally lower than the sheet's surface, so they don't snag the fabric. You could even leave them out completely if you have a few clamps to hold the sheet in place whilst the glue dries.
