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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.
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(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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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(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.
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