Hard, durable finish

[rws]

I'm looking for a finish I can apply, that is hard! Most paints usually end up with some tackiness it seems, or humidity will make them that way. I need a finish that is hard, smooth, and isn't effected by humidity.

Don't laugh, but toilet seats have a nice, hard finish don't they? What is used on them?

Any suggestions?

[mochinist]

two part epoxy, or powder coat maybe

[darryl]

Epoxy, yes. I've used what's called finishing resin, and it's hard. The coffee table type resin is softer but more resistant to cracking and chipping, and is quite tough. Toilet seats- dunno, maybe a melamine coating of some kind. I'm not aware if it's available as a do-it-yourself coating, but I'd like to try it out if it is.

[Forrest Addy]

If I want a really durable finish I use a two part bathtub kit from the big box store. It comes in a limited range of colors white and almond are usually stocked and red and black maybe a couple of others are available via speciaal order.

I've aslo had good luck with baking a plain oil or alkyd based enamel at 250 degrees for a day in a kitchen oven.

No common homecenter product will give you the abrasion resistance of top of the line industrial coatings but then you probably don't want to spend $200+ for base metal (surface prep, primer, filler, color coat) out materials.

Outside of that, powder coat is your best bet. Have them apply a durable clear coat over it.

[JRouche]

Prolly not what yer lookin for but its hard. Behlen's Rockhard varnish. I have used it many times and it is very durable. JRouche

http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?FamilyID=751

http://www.hbehlen.com/Behlen_Catalog2006.pdf

Their dribble: This top of the line natural oil and resin varnish lives up to its name. The extra hard, high gloss finish offers maximum resistance to water, alcohol, abrasion, heat, chemicals, detergents, and other damaging liquids. Furnished in brushing consistency, it will set dust-free in 30-60 minutes, dries in 4-5 hours depending upon conditions. For interior use only. Use Rockhard Reducer for thinning and cleanup.

[pcarpenter]

Two different farm supply chains (Blain's Farm and Fleet and Tractor Supply) here carry Valspar enamel colors. They also carry their hardener. I have used it on several items including my Bridgeport mill as well as three different vises I have rebuilt. It's good stuff, making the paint harder and causing it to cure more quickly. It adds gloss and makes it flow better too. Enamel usually cures very slowly. The hardener will not make it rock hard the next day, but certainly dry to the touch and not soft the next day. It will quit smelling like solvent within a week or two rather than continuing to off-gas for months or years as is normally the case and is very hard at that point.

The instructions are for mixing an entire gallon...but a little calculation will help you determine the correct ratio so you can mix small batches at a time. The only annoyance is that you have to stir the mix off and on for 30 minutes before you begin application.

Paul

[wierdscience]

For general purpose shop machine paint I use Hammerite,both in spray cans and quarts.It dries hard and slick and even coolant and cutting oil have no effect on it once cured.

[dalesvp]

The best and hardest finish I've used is West Systems, a two part system. It is primarily used on boat decks and other valuable wood surfaces. We used it on Bell '47 Main Rotor Blades which are made of balsa and spruce. The finish is near indestructible. Once on the only way to get it off is to grind it off. It is clear (no color) and don't know if it can be colored.... We put it on the wood as a sealing, protecting base then painted over it. Actually, we used it in three different modes: 1) mixed with varying amounts of microspheres it was a fantastic filler that was easily applied and sanded; 2) mixed thin it paints onto and into fibreglass clothe permanently fixing the clothe to the wood surface and 3) as a protecting overcoat and base for final finish and paint. Great stuff! I keep some of it around the shop for those whatever jobs...

[Evan]

I'm looking for a finish I can apply, that is hard!

Apply to what?

[Timleech]

Epoxy, yes. I've used what's called finishing resin, and it's hard. The coffee table type resin is softer but more resistant to cracking and chipping, and is quite tough. Toilet seats- dunno, maybe a melamine coating of some kind. I'm not aware if it's available as a do-it-yourself coating, but I'd like to try it out if it is.

We had our kitchen table top sprayed with melamine by a piano repairer, I don't think he had any fancy gear to do it.

Tim