[jartzh]

I am carving a bar . Pecan bar with cedar figures as legs. What kind of finish do I use on the bar top to protect it from water...? its 9 ft long so hopefully it wont be expensive.

[Gergie]

I heard Marine Spar varnish works great for bar tops. I have never had a bar or made one so I'm just passing on information here. Research it and see if it's right for you. good luck!

[Plain_Ol_Ed]

Polyurethane is what I would use. Unless there's some special look you are trying to achieve.

[brian bailey]

You should take into account that your 24" wide slab of pecan will probably shrink and expanded about 5/16" across the width during the year. Seasonal movement.

Whatever finish you decide on needs to be flexable enough to allow for this.

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Years ago, I seem to remember there was some stuff called "Bar Top" just for that purpose?

[ejnelson]

I would suggest Behlen's Rock Hard finish or epoxy.

[jartzh]

Thanks, I do remember a "bar top" finish. Havent seen it in years. I think it was a 2 part epoxy. I will look it up.

If the piece has been air dried for 2 years, can I seal it completely and keep it from seasonally moving? If I cant then I think I have to find a real flexible finish. Are you oils waterproof (danish oil, tung oil, antique oil,...)?

[AlArchie]

Wish I remembered who made it, but over thirty years ago I refinished the stock on my deer rifle with a product called "Bar Top" It came in a small 1/2 pint bottle but that ws more than enough for three coats on the stock. It was a fairly viscous 1 part varnish. 30 years later there are not enough scratches on that stock to notice without close examination, and the rifle is in the field every year in rain snow and sleet and heavy brush.

Al

[brian bailey]

jartzh,

Here's a link to the US Forest Products Lab. book "Wood Handbook".
I believe it will answer most of your questions regarding finishing your bar top.

Scroll down to "Chapter 15 - Finishes for Wood". There is a lot of info on different wood finishes and their applications.

Table 15-3 shows different types of finishes and their effectiveness as moisture barriers. A Very Useful Chart !

Also, page 15-32 discusses finishes for items used for food. Maybe your bar top will fall under this topic.

Forest Products Laboratory -- Forest Service -- USDA


Hope the above link helps.

IMO I don't think that any type of finish will be 100% for you. On a piece of wood that wide (esp, Hickory/Pecan) you'll probably need to refinish on a regular basis.

[Plain_Ol_Ed]

You might take a stroll down to your local pub and see what they use on their bar.