Posts: 33,304
Threads: 1
Joined: May 2004
Location: Hekawi Indian Reservation near Ft Courage
09-12-2019, 05:51 AM
(This post was last modified: 09-12-2019, 05:52 AM by Gary™.)
I just received a moderate sized order for Beer Tap Handles from a local microbrew/distributor. I'd delivered them a prototype finished with Watco Laquer but wonder how the finish will hold up long term to the "alcohol rich" environment around a beer tap. Would there be something better to finish them with?
Prototype was 5/4 quarter sawn white oak.
Make Frat Boys Great Again
Posts: 2,684
Threads: 0
Joined: Feb 2011
Location: Elkhart, IA
(09-12-2019, 05:51 AM)Gary™ Wrote: I just received a moderate sized order for Beer Tap Handles from a local microbrew/distributor. I'd delivered them a prototype finished with Watco Laquer but wonder how the finish will hold up long term to the "alcohol rich" environment around a beer tap. Would there be something better to finish them with?
Prototype was 5/4 quarter sawn white oak.
Its going to take something that will withstand both the alcohol, the water/cleaning solution and LOTS of hands. I would think an epoxy finish would be your best bet.
Posts: 12,614
Threads: 0
Joined: Aug 2003
Location: Wapakoneta, OH
NC Lacquer just isn't all that durable, it's a thin finish with fewer solids than some others. For this application maybe consider some form of catalyzed finish.
I started with absolutely nothing. Now, thanks to years of hard work, careful planning, and perseverance, I find I still have most of it left.
Posts: 6,179
Threads: 0
Joined: Dec 2002
Location: Bothell, WA
If it were me I'd just make them all out of African blackwood and skip the finish. It's impervious to water damage so no finish needed.
Cellulose runs through my veins!
Posts: 12,926
Threads: 0
Joined: Jan 2010
Location: Lewiston, NY
Cheap and pretty good would be varnish like Waterlox, Arm-R-Seal, etc. Expensive but really good would be a 2 part polyurethane. Epoxy is good but yellows with exposure to UV unless it has stabilizers in it.
John
Posts: 33,304
Threads: 1
Joined: May 2004
Location: Hekawi Indian Reservation near Ft Courage
(09-12-2019, 11:55 AM)jteneyck Wrote: Cheap and pretty good would be varnish like Waterlox, Arm-R-Seal, etc. Expensive but really good would be a 2 part polyurethane. Epoxy is good but yellows with exposure to UV unless it has stabilizers in it.
John
Hadn't considered Arm-R-Seal for this project but I've used that before with good results. I've done epoxy finish on a cedar strip canoe and it's too much $$$/time for this project. I've only allocate 12 minutes each to sand and finish each in the bid.
Make Frat Boys Great Again
