Process for Top Coat over Bar & Table Finish?

[travellinman]

I have picked up this Kit

http://www.rustoleum.ca/CBGProduct.asp?pid=55

But want the sheen to look like these tables

http://www.hdthreshing.com/round-tables.html

How would i go about sanding the epoxy. I am going to go over it with a tinted polyurethane spray after wards. I just need to know the steps involved to do this as i have next to nil experience in finishing.

Many Thanks!

[Master Splinter]

If your (whatever) is intended for standard domestic use - say for a dining table - the best process to get your intended finish would be to jump in the car, drive back to the store where you got the Rustoleum epoxy finish from and get a refund.

With the money from the refund, buy some finishing oil -maybe Tung Oil or Danish Oil from this mob -and some sandpaper to suit your ROS (to 400 grit at least, till you reach the level of gloss you are after) and have at it. Re-oil when it looks a bit tired.

If you want to match the exact finish type shown in your example, pick up some Minwax Wipe On poly in a satin finish and follow the directions on the can!

[travellinman]

Thanks Mastersplinter, I really wanted to know what the sanding process is to accomplish my intended look. It is going on a pub/bistro table so i wanted the thick epoxy top.

Would i use 220 grit to scuff the top so i can apply the satin polyurethane top coat or would that show swirl marks.

Thanks!

[Master Splinter]

For the epoxy coat, if it's used inside I'd first try to matt it down with a coarse car paint cutting compound.

Get one of the old fashioned compounds that tells you you'll need to use a finishing compound after it, not one of the new-fangled ones where the abrasive breaks down to smaller sizes as you polish; failing that, a grey scotchbrite, 0000 grade steel wool, or 1000 grit (or higher) sandpaper may give you the look you are after.

Doing a small panel to test on will make fine tuning your gloss level easier.

If it's for outside you'll need to use the poly approach, as epoxy and UV don't play nicely together.I'd call the manufacturer and find out what their recommendations are for a poly finish as some may not be compatible with the epoxy you are using.

[travellinman]

For the epoxy coat, if it's used inside I'd first try to matt it down with a coarse car paint cutting compound.

Get one of the old fashioned compounds that tells you you'll need to use a finishing compound after it, not one of the new-fangled ones where the abrasive breaks down to smaller sizes as you polish; failing that, a grey scotchbrite, 0000 grade steel wool, or 1000 grit (or higher) sandpaper may give you the look you are after.

Doing a small panel to test on will make fine tuning your gloss level easier.

If it's for outside you'll need to use the poly approach, as epoxy and UV don't play nicely together.I'd call the manufacturer and find out what their recommendations are for a poly finish as some may not be compatible with the epoxy you are using.

Thank you, Sir I will give that a try and get back to you on the results.