KSH Posted September 15, 2016 Report Share Posted September 15, 2016 I'm new to woodworking and finishes. I wanted to create a bar finish for a bar top that will be outdoors. I've used something called super glaze that i purchased from home depot http://www.homedepot.com/p/Rust-Oleum-Parks-1-qt-Gloss-Super-Glaze-Finish-and-Preservative-241352/202056337. it gave me exactly what i wanted except it slowly became terrible in the sun. I liked that i was able to pour a thick coating and that it was a smooth glass like finish. I've seen some other things online such as art resin http://www.artresin.com/ but I just don't think that will survive being in the sun 365 days a year. I've considered marine varnish, but i'm not sure it will give me the finish i want, and i also don't want to have to re-apply it every year. Thoughts, ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drzaius Posted September 16, 2016 Report Share Posted September 16, 2016 Welcome to the forum. Any finished wood outdoors is going to involve lots of maintenance. If you want a shiny plastic look, then why not just go with a plastic laminate like Formica? Spar varnish is pretty good outdoors. The problem with an epoxy finish is that it's very sensitive to UV. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Unknown craftsman Posted September 16, 2016 Popular Post Report Share Posted September 16, 2016 3 hours ago, KSH said: I'm new to woodworking and finishes. I wanted to create a bar finish for a bar top that will be outdoors. I've used something called super glaze that i purchased from home depot http://www.homedepot.com/p/Rust-Oleum-Parks-1-qt-Gloss-Super-Glaze-Finish-and-Preservative-241352/202056337. it gave me exactly what i wanted except it slowly became terrible in the sun. I liked that i was able to pour a thick coating and that it was a smooth glass like finish. I've seen some other things online such as art resin http://www.artresin.com/ but I just don't think that will survive being in the sun 365 days a year. I've considered marine varnish, but i'm not sure it will give me the finish i want, and i also don't want to have to re-apply it every year. Thoughts, ideas? You realize this is the Sun your going up against. Man does battle with a star. Epic Aj 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted September 16, 2016 Report Share Posted September 16, 2016 One word: Shade. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardA Posted September 16, 2016 Report Share Posted September 16, 2016 Aj and highlander called it right. this is a fight you are going to lose! Unless you use paint. and even then you'll have to reapply sometime in the future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerryMcK Posted September 16, 2016 Report Share Posted September 16, 2016 Marine varnish with UV inhibitors is very good but even that struggles long term in direct sunlight. It is flexible so it expands and contracts with wood movement to a degree. It is not completely perfect though, you won't get that smooth as glass finish as the Rustoleum epoxy and you do have to reapply periodically. That Rustoleum product is intended for use indoors and is intended to be waterproof for things like drinks spills rather than total immersion (that's possible outdoors). Also there is no mention of UV inhibitors. The technical data states "Super Glaze can be used over almost any interior surface; from rough and unfinished to stained, painted or smooth surface" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KSH Posted September 16, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 16, 2016 I already know the super glaze is the wrong thing. Has anyone used that art resin, it does specifically say uv inhibitors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AceHoleInOne Posted September 16, 2016 Report Share Posted September 16, 2016 My buddy has an outdoor bar with a pour on finish. He covers the bar with a plastic tarp and bungee cords to hold the tarp down. Also, the tarp is large enough to cover the bar stools. Keeps everything clean until use. His bar top has done remarkably well, only slight ambering of the finish and it's going on 5 years old. -Ace- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KSH Posted September 16, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 16, 2016 Do you know what finish he uses? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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