What holds up against beer better?

[Stephen Hutchins]

Hi guys,
My brother is building a bar for his frat house. I coated the tops with West Epoxy. My father says polyurethane is better for a bartop than varnish. ( he says varnish tops develop water rings from the beer glass.) However, I'm used to varnish, so of course, I'd rather use it than poly. Any thoughts on this?

[Bruce Hooke]

Poly may be the way to go but a proper varnish certainly shouldn't develop water rings, after all, we put it on boats. I have had good luck with something called Rockhard Table Top Varnish, which is a traditional varnish but I have never tried it over epoxy so you would need to test it to make sure it dries properly. Among other places you can get it from Garrett Wade: http://www.garrettwade.com/index.cfm?goo=10080,10090,10770&cid=10770&dop=0

[Wayne Jeffers]

Having lived the fraternity experience (albeit many years ago) and considering the respective levels of abuse and care that a bartop in that environment will receive from a group of 20-year-olds, I have one word of advice: Formica

Wayne

[CayoHueso]

Naw, Formica is too thin. Go with granite.

[Ed Harrow]

Stephen, it took me a minute, but I have an idea. I think a bet is in order here. Maybe your brother's bet is tuition paid by dad, you'll have to pick yours, and of course if your brother looses this bet Dad's off the tuition hook. Sounds to me like you might just sucker him in. Anyway, have your dad buy a can of varnish, and a can of poly, his choice (but be damn certain he doesn't sneak a can of shellac in as a substitute for varnish, LOL. Spread on some coats, and, once they're dry, of course, bring on the beer and wait for the rings... When no rings appear, "Pay up, Dad."

Now, my payment for this sure-fire bet is a mere 10% of the take (I'm not greedy).

[BrianCunningham]

stainless steel comes to mind!

[Dale Harvey]

Having built successful resturaunt service epoxy bartops, there are several things to consider. You must COMPLETELY seal both sides of any plank material with resin. Failure to seal the backside is one of the leading causes of warped useless bartops. It is better to fasten the sealed boards to a 3/4 inch fir or birch plwood substrate. Gougeon is not the best resin for the top. A 50-50 mix clear epoxy sold specificly for bartops is much better. Resin top should be at least 1/8 thick. Build up in multiple coats, fixing all outgassing holes and dimples in the first coat before adding another. Usually takes at least four coats to get rid of all the defects. This resin should be compatible with your WEST after it has cured,and is deblushed and sanded. The bartop epoxy is its own finish coat, but after it has been dinged up a bit and needs refreshing, top with two part linear polyurethane. Only epoxy and two part poly are approved for food grade use.

[Bob Cleek]

I can attest from experience with our yacht club bar top that Dale is right on. Varnished it over and over again to no avail. It isn't the "rings" but rather the abuse and use. The method he recommends was tried (after the health department inspector raised his eyebrows on one inspection and recommended it) and it has required little of any maintenance compared to before. I'd bet our bar has taken a lot more knocks than any frat house unit will! LOL

[Stephen Hutchins]

Thanks guys. I knew I could count on you all. I think I'll write the president and tell him to consult this forum on all worldly matters.
Cheers,
Steve