Reclaimed Beam Side Table

I am making two side tables and a coffee table for a client using some reclaimed beams that the client provided. The first side table is now complete. See this post to read about how it was constructed.

At the end of that post, I was waiting to find out from the client what color stain they wanted me to use. He settled on Provincial by Minwax. I used the water-based version so as not to worry about any adhesion problems with the epoxy.

In the previous post, I ended by saying that I was going to use epoxy on the entire piece. After experimenting with different ideas, I changed the plan.

Both the top and the base were stained with Minwax Water-Based Provincial Semi-Transparent Interior Stain. This was my first time using a Minwax water-based stain and I have to say that it wasn’t particularly enjoyable. It dries very fast which presents some challenges. You must be very diligent about wiping off the excess before it dries too much.

The change came in how I decided to top coat the base. In the end, I used dewaxed super blond shellac. I didn’t keep count, but I probably applied 10 to 12 coats.

For the top, I used System Three Mirror Coat epoxy. First I did three thin coats on the bottom to seal it and get it flat. It took that many coats to get the various cracks and imperfections to fill in well enough and establish a flat surface. I was going for the bar top look on the bottom of the top. I just wanted it sealed and flat.

On the top of the top, I did two seal coats. The first pretty well-sealed everything. With the second, I evened out the seal coat and filled in a few of the larger defects in the top. Then I applied the final flood coat.

After letting that cure for a little over a day, I used a rubbing compound to polish the epoxy to a glass-like finish.

I will be delivering the table to the client this weekend. If he is satisfied, I will continue with building the other side table and coffee table.