How to Laminate a Bar Table With Photos Under the Laminate
The best DIY projects are those that allow you to add a personal touch to the finished project. Laminating a bar table with embedded photos is a relatively inexpensive way to liven up an otherwise dull bar top. The laminate is easy to apply and provides a clear, durable surface that will give your bar tabletop added protection and increase its longevity. The key to a professional-looking job is to use the right products and follow their instructions carefully. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- 180-grit sandpaper
- Rag
- Tack cloth
- Broom
- Rubber gloves
- Goggles
- Graduated mixing containers
- Large bucket
- Mixing stick
- Clear coat epoxy resin
- Rubber squeegee
- Nylon brush
- Blowtorch
Instructions
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1
Sand the surface of the bar tabletop with 180-grit sandpaper. Sand just enough to roughen the surface to the touch. When sanding wood, always sand in the direction of the grain. Brush all sanding dust off of the surface with a dry rag. Then sweep the room thoroughly and wipe down any adjacent surfaces. If any of the sanding dust is embedded in the epoxy clear coat, it will be highly visible in the glass-like surface and impossible to remove. Finally, wipe down the bar tabletop again with a tack cloth until no more sanding dust is transferred to its surface.
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2
Protect yourself with rubber gloves, goggles and long-sleeve clothing.
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3
Pour the two parts of the epoxy together and mix them thoroughly. This is the most important part of the epoxy application process. Follow the specific label guidelines precisely. Measure the two parts of the epoxy accurately in the ratio listed by the label (usually one part resin to one part hardener). To determine the amount to use, follow the label's instructions for the "seal coat." Pour the hardener first, followed by the resin. Mix the epoxy parts thoroughly until they become a clear solution. Most the manufacturer's recommend mixing for five to seven minutes per gallon. Mix consistently, but do not whip the mixture to create excess bubbles or froth in the epoxy. Scrape the sides and bottom of the container as you mix.
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4
Pour the thin seal coat onto the bar tabletop. Pour the entire amount from one end of the bar top to the other. Get the majority of the epoxy out, but do not physically scrape the sides of the mixing container. Spread the seal coat evenly over the surface with a squeegee. Allow the seal coat to dry for 30 minutes before proceeding to the next step.
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5
Place the photos on top of the seal coat in the desired arrangement. It is fine to partially overlap photographs. Leave the epoxy coat to dry for four more hours (or the between-coat drying time recommended by the manufacturer) before proceeding to the next step.
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6
Mix a second batch of epoxy according to the method listed in Step 3 and the epoxy's label. This time measure amounts appropriate for the flood coat, according to the label's instructions.
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7
Pour the entire amount of the flood coat from one end of the bar top to the other. Get the majority of the epoxy out, but do not physically scrape the sides of the mixing container. Spread the seal coat evenly over the surface with a squeegee. Only use the squeegee lightly to guide the spreading epoxy. Don't drag it too hard or you will create excess bubbles or move the pictures. Once you have evenly spread the flood coat, move a propane torch rapidly 10 inches above the surface to release any bubbles embedded in the surface. Some of the epoxy will drip over the edge. Either use a brush to smooth out the epoxy and add a coating to the edge or wait until the epoxy has cured and sand the drips away.
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8
Allow the flood coat to dry for four hours (or the amount of time recommended by the manufacturer). Apply a second coat if desired or if instructed by the epoxy's manufacturer. Follow the instructions listed in Steps 6 and 7 and those on the epoxy's label.
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Allow the final epoxy coat to cure for 72 hours (or the amount of time recommended by the manufacturer). Epoxy surfaces are the most prone to scratching for the first three weeks after installation. Use the bar top minimally during this time and protect the surface as best you can with coasters and mats.
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Tips & Warnings
Make sure that the photographs you use are printed on card stock photo-quality paper. Thinner grade paper, like magazine cutouts, for example, will absorb the laminate and become transparent.
It is important to know how much epoxy you will need before you start your project. Measure the length and width of the table and buy as much epoxy as indicated by the label for a surface of your bar top's size. When in doubt, err on the side of excess to allow for mistakes and optional extra coating.
Most epoxy manufacturers advise against mixing more than 2 gallons at a time. If your bar top is quite large, work with a partner to mix two small batches at a time, then pour them on one right after the other.
Make sure that the epoxy you purchased is labeled for use on heavily-used surfaces like bar tops and tabletops.
For the best results, practice your mixing and application technique with a scrap picture and a scrap piece of wood.
Place the epoxy and supplies in the room so they have 24 hours to reach the temperature of the room prior to starting this project. Ideally the room's temperature should be between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Use epoxy only in a well-ventilated area and avoid breathing the vapors.
References
- Photo Credit Hemera Technologies/PhotoObjects.net/Getty Images
