Any woodworkers?

Id say go with the satin spray poly...going to take multiple coats, drying and sanding but not going to give you a real shiny surface. I dont know how that will affect the black spray paint though..so you may want to try a test board before you do that otherwise it might peel the black paint off. That would be worst case scenario..

 

here's a similar question for you experienced finish guys.

i did this table as a test for a more permanent version that will use oil or acrylic. this one is latex paint, but as the finish improved i couldn't stop working on it (this was one of the reasons for the test -- to see how far i could go with the color and finish). now it's getting so nice i want to protect it somehow. i don't think there's really any good option to protect it from gouges and that kind of thing. I'm not trying to keep the polish, that would be impossible. but wondering if there's any ideas to make it a bit more robust. it's a dining table so it will be abused.

being a pine table with latex paint i know the deal, but i figured it's worth an ask before i start up the hardwood version.

this was 3-4 days ago and is far more polished than in this pic already.

 

not sure how this would work...but this is clear latex.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Rust-Ol...VUPDACh1qFw6VEAQYASABEgIlMPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

that's an interesting one i didn't consider. i was originally looking at Minwax Polycrylic in a rattle can. no experience with it. that clear latex stuff may do ok to add a few mils of protection, the cost is how long it takes to build up. as you can see I'm not planed, so application & sanding is arduously by hand.

kinda looking like i learned what i needed to, and now it's time to move on to the non-test version.

 

To clarify, the paint was in a non aerosol can. I reduced and sprayed from an automotive gun. I plan on doing the same with the clear poly once the base is hardened.

 

I get torn between making it look great and utility...

 

Wow, looks good!

 

so, i have 3 kids: 1, 2, & 7 yrs old.

this table is 95% to a proper mirror finish, and it will be literally gone in the first 20 seconds of use.

but i knew.

 

get a big piece of plexiglass and put over it

 

Watch out! The Minwax Polycrylic dries cloudy. Personally I stay away from all Minwax products as I find them to be junk. The couple times I did use the polycrylic I was very unhappy with its cloudiness and softness when dried. I'd recommend a water based finish from General Finishes.

 

or just go for broke and get the table top epoxy...

 

i found this report a couple times myself and vetoed it. so I'm safe. I'd rather have marring & scuffs any day, or simply a nice earned patina. but no cloudiness. i agree that Minwax has never earned my confidence.

another veto from my wife!

 

what it is?

 

http://www.totalboat.com/product/tabletop-epoxy/

 

have you used this? is it actually a reliably easy application like that?

the main question is will it be a non-issue on my mirror finish latex?

it looks like a perfect solution.

 

that I dont know...Ive used a little epoxy but not in big application like that.

 

https://ultraclear.helpscoutdocs.com/article/127-epoxy-paint-wood Id obviously do a test piece...

 

well it is a test project...

 

that is helpful to get to contemplating this.

what I've learned more than anything in this process, is i should have worked up a separate piece along with the table for testing. i never expected this table to become something I'm trying to preserve.
::rolls eyes::

 

funny how that kind of stuff happens...