New table top project.

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jmas

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Just had all seat and V-Birth cushions re-covered in sky blue Sunbrella. Looks great to me.
I would like to have the white Formica table top covered with a thin wood veneer or vynal decal. Would look great with a Compass Rose in the center. If I could find the right material, I will clear epoxy the top.
Any ideas on the project?
Table is 36" x 48".
 
I had a similar project and also considered a nautical compass rose detail. I needed smaller tables to replace a large table to allow better access to the settee. A friend suggested using area maps under a layer of resin.

I started with this:

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I ended up with this:

89744f3b.jpg


The tables were cut from marine plywood, but your existing table could probably be used as a base. I went to a plastics store here called Tap Plastics which set me up with all the info and materials I needed for the job.

It started with a layer of decoupage to seal the wood, then apply the maps, then another layer of decoupage. This prevents the map paper from absorbing the liquids. Then a thick layer of resin is poured over the perfectly level tables and allowed to set in a dust-free area for 24 hrs.

It's great having local maps literally at the fingertips of our guests to see where we are and where we're headed. And they make great conversation pieces.
 
I have some friends that did the same but with photos of their boating outings.

Cor
 
quote:
Originally posted by FlyWright

I had a similar project and also considered a nautical compass rose detail. I needed smaller tables to replace a large table to allow better access to the settee. A friend suggested using area maps under a layer of resin.

89744f3b.jpg


Click to expand...


They look great, but I wouldn't give up the table space on my boat. Dinner for four (us and two guests) takes up the entire table.

308594697.jpg


(I know it's set for two in the photo. That's how they staged it when we were looking at it.)
 
There's no fiddle on the table edge. Just marine grade plywood with the ends filled and painted before chart and resin application. The edges are routed with a smooth curve so the resin falls off the edge and maintains adequate thickness.
 
jmas, PM'd you a source of veneer...

You can produce a "nice" quality compass rose with veneer with only moderate skill. You can even get a "peel and stick" version of real veneer ( though you buy a lot and the $$$ can add up )

If you will fully cover the top w/ a pattern sheet, then do a pourable "bar top" finish, you will not need to use Formica. In fact I would not use it at all. Sand smooth the plywood top, apply a single coat of epoxy, sand smooth, apply the "pattern sheet, covering the entire top, then use the pourable finish.

Note: there is a potential issue when using a paper "pattern sheet". Some areas of the paper fill absorb finish completely, some will not. This will leave blotchy results. Practice on scrap before applying to the actual project.

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One sandwich shop in the area used a large area chart of the area, complete with hand drawn courses to favorite locations, then covered w/ BarKote. Tables look nice, and form a conversation piece.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Radioactive

Note: there is a potential issue when using a paper "pattern sheet". Some areas of the paper fill absorb finish completely, some will not. This will leave blotchy results. Practice on scrap before applying to the actual project.

Click to expand...


I was told by the experts that decoupage is supposed to avoid this problem.
 
I found a 2' x 4' cherry table top on ebay, and had a compass rose put in it, then several layers of varnish:

DSCN2243.jpg


DSCN2244.jpg
 
HOGAN, who produced did the inlay? ( not, the install of the inlay, but the source of the veneer work )
 
I found it on-line, just do a google search. My brother installed it.
 
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