What Is A Good Wood Finish For A Bar Top

A wood finish is an artificial natural substance that is applied to a surface to give it a special look or effect. Depending on the wood, the finish can add some character or texture to the wood itself.

Bar tops are a popular location for wood finishes. A bar top is typically painted in a specified color scheme and lined with stainless steel or glassware. This combination creates a unique and very personal space.

Some popular finishes for bar tops include: wax, stain, and sealer. Each of these finishes has its own benefits and costs. Stained and sealers can be very expensive, so most do not use them on low budget bars.

Contents:

Water-based

what is a good wood finish for a bar top

Water-based finishes are very popular these days due to their natural look and ability to change color as the wood is used. This style of wood finish does not require gums or resins to work, which makes it even more popular.

When choosing a water-based finish for your bar top, there are some key points to consider. First, you need to find a sealant that will stick well to the wood and allow for a durable finish. Then, you need to find a neutral oil or butter base that will cover the sealant and allow it to shine.

Last, you need to find a soft foam or gel that will hold the all of the pieces in place. These materials should be strong enough to handle an increased weight of people walking on them, but still soft enough not hurt if someone accidentally drops on them.

Polyurethane

what is a good wood finish for a bar top

When looking at different wood finishes, you should consider the polyurethaned bar tops. These are a material that uses rubber to create a surface. When exposed to heat and liquid, the rubber flows and creates a smooth, shiny finish.

Some brands use modified leather as the top material instead of rubber. These tops have some texture like leather but they do not use liquid to create a smooth finish. Instead, they use solvents to create the illusion of a smoother surface.

When these tops are used in bar top configurations, they need to be safe for human contact. Polyurethane quarters can have flaws that could cause someone to get hurt when working with them. If you want safe wood finishing for your configuration, avoid those that use elements that can cause damage.

Spar Urethane

what is a good wood finish for a bar top

Spar Urethaneetsk is a high performing wood finish that provides excellent durability and resistance to water and humidity. It can be used as a base or starting point for other finishes.

Spar Urethaneetsk is an oil-based finish that can be painted on or sprayed. It does not requireed to be applied and sprayed as it will dry immediately and become apparent in the shape of the bar top.

It does not requireed to professionally install this wood finish as it will not change its shape while it is drying, but it is highly recommended for stability purposes. Once it has completely dried, it will become visible.

Oil and wax

what is a good wood finish for a bar top

When looking at oil and wax top products, there are some key things that you should be looking for. These include the material used to make the top, the thickness of the oil or wax, and the length of time the top is exposed to light or heat.

In general, a wood finish that is warmer in color and has more sheen is better for a bar top. A wood finish that is cooler in temperature and/or has less contente of grain will be better for a bar top.

When buying a wood finish, do not forget to buy enough of what your bar will need! Buy enough wood finish so that you do not have to worry about removing too much from your new wood finish.

Epoxy

what is a good wood finish for a bar top

Epoxy is one of the most popular wood finishes. It can be accessorized into many different recipes, including pure epoxy paint, wood stain, and a clear gloss.

Epoxies contain alkyl chains such as lye and resin. These chains can vary in strength, from a water soluble resin that creates a glassy finish to a hard polymer that creates a furniture body.

The strength of an epoxy depends on how much water it contains. If it were pure epoxy, it would not work!

Epoxies are very expensive to purchase and use.

Stain

what is a good wood finish for a bar top

If you are going for a soft-toned wood look in your bar top, then a stain or dye is recommended. If you are looking for a harder wood look, then a clear or oil stain is recommended.

Staining your wood helps to create some resistance to water and weathering. This is important, as water will slowly run down the wood and make it look dull. If you want it to look more vintage or soft-toned, then these effects are desired.

Some stains require special preparation before using. Some cannot be mixed with waxes or oils, because they do not match the texture of the wood. To prevent any accidents, these substances must be mixed together first.

The texture of the wood must be aware of where the ingredients were taken from. Some materials such as solvents can cause some woods to become dustier than others.

Clear Coating

what is a good wood finish for a bar top

A very common wood finish is a linen-look clear coating. This gives the top a soft, almost velvet-like feel. While not recommended, you can request a wood finish with no clear coating. If requested, we would recommend a UK-1 natural wood such as oak or chestnut to achieve the illusion of warmer, more solid wood.

While not everyone loves the look of a fully sealed roof with no natural aging, this is something you can request as an add-on extra. We would suggest ordering it in either dove or china white or cream to match the shape and style of your bar top.

Another nice feature of this finish is that it does not change color when wet. This makes it great for those who want privacy but do not want someone seeing what drinks are being served on their bar top.

Varnish

what is a good wood finish for a bar top

Varnish is a great finish for hardwood and particle board surfaces. Most popular are Lakeside Yellow, Antique Lavender, and Mahogany. These colors retain their value better than others due to their natural brightness.

Varnish is an easy way to re-appraise your furniture. You can add a clear coat to make it glossy, and add some grains or meats on top for additional detail. It also works well as a flooring underneath another piece of furniture.

Some features of the piece that do not match well with the vinyl or particle board are able to be employed with vinyl. For example, a cloth covered table that does not match the color of the wood would work fine with varnish.

To avoid any water spots or dry spots during shipping, do not use heavy leather seating that is used for long periods of time. These seats tend to get sweat on the surface and ruin the finish.

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