Here is the table that I built:
http://www.woodworkingtalk.com/f13/outdoor-occasional-table-7379/#post64579
I used the Helman Spar Urathane (I think that is what it was) as the clear coat. This is to be an outdoor table, so I wanted to make sure I had it protected. I brought the table inside, just so I can look at it, as I like the way it turned out (which was a mistake). Well, it didnt take long for my girlfriends 5 years to start playing which his toys on it. I saw him playing with his cars and running then across, but I didnt think anything of it, since I had 4 coats of clear coat on it. And since I planned on using it outside and in my garage (or where ever it was needed at the time), I didnt think he could hurt it. Well I was wrong. There are a lot of scratches now on the top. He did not have anything metal, it was all plastic. I figured it would hold up just fine and it not be an issue, but that is not the case. Perhaps I did not apply it correctly, as I just used foam brushes and used #0000 steel wool between coats. I know that I can sand it down and reapply the clear coat, but if I am going to do that, I want to know if there is anything better that I could use that would stand up to some abuse, besides just the weather?
Hopefully you can see the scratches in this photo:
http://www.woodworkingtalk.com/f13/outdoor-occasional-table-7379/#post64579
I used the Helman Spar Urathane (I think that is what it was) as the clear coat. This is to be an outdoor table, so I wanted to make sure I had it protected. I brought the table inside, just so I can look at it, as I like the way it turned out (which was a mistake). Well, it didnt take long for my girlfriends 5 years to start playing which his toys on it. I saw him playing with his cars and running then across, but I didnt think anything of it, since I had 4 coats of clear coat on it. And since I planned on using it outside and in my garage (or where ever it was needed at the time), I didnt think he could hurt it. Well I was wrong. There are a lot of scratches now on the top. He did not have anything metal, it was all plastic. I figured it would hold up just fine and it not be an issue, but that is not the case. Perhaps I did not apply it correctly, as I just used foam brushes and used #0000 steel wool between coats. I know that I can sand it down and reapply the clear coat, but if I am going to do that, I want to know if there is anything better that I could use that would stand up to some abuse, besides just the weather?
Hopefully you can see the scratches in this photo: