dinette table top

[johns4104]

I am trying to figure out my table tops.
I would like to use a piece of plywood and adhere a 2"x2" black and white checkerboard plastic or paper onto the top surface and then coat it with sometype of clear coat to seal it up.

Has any one done this?
Any Ideas?

Thanks,
John

[Jeremy]

If using paper then are various proprietary two-pack products on the 'craft' market that will do the job of totally encapsulating and sealing the paper surface and providing a smooth, damage-resistant finish. I have used a product simply called 'plastic coating' before now, which is clearly just a resin-based material of some sort, although I don't know what type of resin it uses. As I'm sure you have realised just trying to seal the paper with varnish or lacquer is unlikely to be satisfactory, especially as most varnishes are water-based nowadays. I'm hesitant to know what kind of varnish / lacquer / resin to use to seal on the plastic checkerboard as without knowing exactly what kind of plastic it is you couldn't be sure that that whatever you put on it won't either not adhere to the plastic, or even chemically react with it.

My own preferred approach would I think be to have a sheet of glass over the paper or plastic - failing that, clear plastic (perspex etc) would be ok, although more likely to scratch than glass

Jeremy

[cody]

You have several options for the tables, I'd give some thought to edge glueing wood using biscuits or dowels, or a high density mdf type of panel, often plywood wants to warp or otherwise twist, on the top like jeremy said a sheet of glass or acrylic possibly would work, if you can find a resin called BarTop you may check into that, it leaves an extremely think coating of a varnish like resin on the surface. Bartop takes some getting used to but it is a very hard, durable coating that looks like 1/4 inch thick when it's done.  It's a 2 part resin that you mix and pour onto the surface and allow to flow out to the edges.

[bigjohnkub]

Blu varnished the plywood top of our dinette. then she put a map of Texas and some pictures around the border. Topped it with Plexiglas. She takes it off and marks the map at places we have been, and changes pictures of different camps. It suits me , is easy to clean , and seems durable.
  Big John

[Jerry W Campbell]

Quote" if you can find a resin called BarTop "

I got it at Home Depot in the varnish/stains dept. It is an epoxy. It is BEAUTIFUL. I used it on my counter tops and will use it on my Dinette table.
Here's some not to good photos
http://www.crowncoach.bravehost.com
Jerry

[cody]

Bartop has always done a good job for what I've used it for.

[johns4104]

Thanks for the pics Jerry your bus is looking good. I like the way the counter turned out!
Cody I want to round the corners so it might be kind of tough putting a strip of wood all the way around.
what about using 3/4" osb I dont really like particle board.

thanks,
John

[cody]

Most stores like lowes or home depot have wood blanks already glued up that range in size from 2ftx2ft to 3ftx5ft or so and are lumber that has been laminated or edge glued and are quite stable. I'm afraid that your going to put in a lot of work and find the table top turning everyway but loose. 

[johns4104]

Thanks cody i will look into that!

John