New idea for a different finish!

[deromax]

I want some nice finish for my new subwoofers but I'm mostly gifted for rough woodworking, not fine finishing! Applying a nice plywood laminate and hgaving it look good just won't happen! It wouldn't even blend with my 80s style deco! :)

I though about this transparent epoxy-like stuff that you simply pour onto a surface and it will harden like plexiglass with a nice smooth shinny surface. How it's called? I though about painting my subs with some base coat color (like, say, firetruck red!), then affixing a temporary mold to one surface, pour the stuff, let it set, remove the mold, then repeat, until all faces are done. The coat of epoxy (?) would solidify the box and give it a a deep, glossy look.

Do you think it could work? Has it already been done?

[scott_m]

This is an interesting idea, but if you are talking about "self-leveling epoxy" I think you are going to have some difficulties with the edges especially after you pull off the mold or edging. I think you might have some issues witht he mold or edging as well - you are talking about epoxy right? That stuff might not let go of the edging.

This said, I might be totally wrong so, if it were me, I would definitely experiment with the technique on a throw away box before trying it on your finished cabinet.

Scott M.

[philiparcario]

> This is an interesting idea, but if you are
> talking about "self-leveling
> epoxy" I think you are going to have
> some difficulties with the edges especially
> after you pull off the mold or edging. I
> think you might have some issues witht he
> mold or edging as well - you are talking
> about epoxy right? That stuff might not let
> go of the edging.
This said, I might be totally wrong so, if
> it were me, I would definitely experiment
> with the technique on a throw away box
> before trying it on your finished cabinet.

> Scott M.
I have used the epoxy on table tops and a bar top. It is good stuff. very durable practice with something small first. also get a hold of very fine sandpaper for the finish of rough spots or flaw. use 1000 1500 2000 grit and then buff with cloth.

[filmboydoug]

A dude I know used to make clocks from maple burl and he used an epoxy finish. He would simply use masking wide masking tape to build a form for the epoxy to set. Worked well.

I think you are going to have
> some difficulties with the edges especially
> after you pull off the mold or edging.

[johnastockman]

Provided Link: http://www.westsystem.com


> I want some nice finish for my new
> subwoofers but I'm mostly gifted for rough
> woodworking, not fine finishing! Applying a
> nice plywood laminate and hgaving it look
> good just won't happen! It wouldn't even
> blend with my 80s style deco! :)

> I though about this transparent epoxy-like
> stuff that you simply pour onto a surface
> and it will harden like plexiglass with a
> nice smooth shinny surface. How it's called?
> I though about painting my subs with some
> base coat color (like, say, firetruck red!),
> then affixing a temporary mold to one
> surface, pour the stuff, let it set, remove
> the mold, then repeat, until all faces are
> done. The coat of epoxy (?) would solidify
> the box and give it a a deep, glossy look.

> Do you think it could work? Has it already
> been done?

I've seen that stuff...a pour-on "bar top" transparent coating. Not seen it on speaker cabinets, but it could be done with a bit of experimentation. I think the "bar top" coating I saw (Rockler or Woodcraft) was more of a poly-type of treatment than an epoxy. I have been using the West System epoxy and I love it. Haven't tried it as a top coat, though.

John A.

[deromax]

Thanks all for the replies!

There must be a material onto witch the stuff won't adhere. Masking tape, wax, metal? I'll research this!

[bobblickle]

> Thanks all for the replies!

> There must be a material onto witch the
> stuff won't adhere. Masking tape, wax,
> metal? I'll research this!

That is the beauty of Epoxy it sticks to virtually anything. There is something called "mold release" (a wax) that would be suitable. It is normally used in Fiberglass Molds for Boats etc.

Lots of Epoxy applications info here: <A HREF="http://www.gougeon.com/">http://www.gougeon.com/</A>

General Epoxy Products at good prices: <A HREF="http://fgci.com/">http://fgci.com/</A>

Specialty Epoxy Products <A HREF="http://www.fascoepoxies.com/">http://www.fascoepoxies.com/</A>

Lots of cool materials available here: <A HREF="http://boatbuildercentral.com/">http://boatbuildercentral.com/</A>

Sorry no PQ links. I didn't do any boat stuff while I was there.

bb