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Plastic Coating for Furniture - Vertical AND Horizontal Surfaces

There is a guy in our town that puts some sort of plastic coating on furniture, not only the flat surfaces but the vertical ones (legs, sides, etc.) as well. He won't share details his process and I am trying to find out what he does. When he explains it he makes comments to make me believe it some sort of heated process. Does anyone have any idea what he is using and how to put this hard plastic coating on the entire piece of furniture?

Katherine Skrobial
hobbyist - Orlando, FL, USA
May 17, 2009

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First of two simultaneous responses -- May 19, 2009

It could be a plastisol, but that would take a very large tank, so I sort of doubt it.
It could be a thermal spray process, but not many people can get a smooth surface with it, so I also doubt it is that.

The best guess is a powder coat. You can find all kinds of information at this site and by paint companies and researchers on the net.

James Watts
- Navarre, Florida

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Second of two simultaneous responses --

Perhaps it is powder coating? It is used a lot in refinishing outdoor furniture, it goes on as a powder and is then placed in an oven to melt and flow together. Lots of info on the internet regarding this process, not real difficult or expensive other than having an dedicated oven large enough for the furniture.

Mike McMonagle
- Sugar Land, Texas, USA
May 20, 2009

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I would have to say it's powder coating too, but just for giggles this is a true story. A friend of mine got sick of painting his home made picnic table and chairs every two years. In desperation he hosed the whole works down with automotive box liner one spring. That was ten years ago and the whole issue has sat in his yard under rain, snow, sleet, hail, +90 degrees Fahrenheit, -35 Fahrenheit, 4 kids who used it as a space ship and a fort, assorted cats and dogs that like to lay on it because the jet black color is warm in the morning sun and an exasperated wife that insists on setting scalding hot pots and pans on it because she is sick of kids, cats, dogs, bad weather, stupid husband, his drunken friends and tacky, jet black backyard furniture that has a heavy stippled finish that causes the martini glasses to wobble every time some one blinks. But it should be noted that the damned stuff still looks like it was sprayed yesterday and I'm betting it will still be there after judgment day! ;o)

Rod Henrickson
gunsmith - Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
May 22, 2009

Thanks for your responses. Unfortunately, I don't think this is powder coating. I do know what that is and I don't think it comes in clear or is used frequently on wood products, is it? The process this guy is using is clear and thick. He mentions something about heat but won't go any further in his description. If you have seen tables in bars that have a thick coating with items underneath - that is what this looks like, however, the same coating is on the vertical as well as horizontal surfaces which I have been unable to duplicate with any two part epoxy as it runs off before it sets.

Kathie Skrobiak
- Orlando, FL, United States
June 2, 2009

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I would suggest that responses from other peoples replies were correct based on the information you gave at the time. Unfortunately, it is only in your response that we gather that the substrate maybe natural wood... and not what everyone believed/took for granted; mild steel.
However, if it is natural wood, work is being carried out to determine if powder (possibly uv cured)will be suitable. The problem is that natural wood moves, twists and expands during its time as furniture, causing cracking defects. Powder coating MDF seems to be the way forward for PC using UV. So what can he be using? You state there is some heat involved, yes, he probably is right... but slightly misleading you. Could he be using a liquid polyester? The resin contains anti sag additives wax and cobalt driers. when ready a peroxide catalyst is added using a twin nozzle spray gun that delivers a) the resin, b) the catalyst in specific proportions. The reaction to achieve a finish is very quick and heat is evolved during this period (an exothermic reaction). The finish requires polishing to achieve the final finish. I do not think any applied heat is used in his process, otherwise the entrapped air within the wood would expand and cause defects such as gas bubbles from the moisture all natural woods contain which becomes entrapped in the applied film. If this is not the answer what is the furniture's substrate?

Terry Hickling
Birmingham, United Kingdom
June 3, 2009

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You mention bar tables and I remember a job I took on a few years ago refinishing a few table tops. That was 25 years ago and we used a product made just for that application. It was called Mod Podge and to be honest I have not seen it since and don't know if its still available. You would have to call a few paint shops and see. The crap was thick as syrup and we literally poured it on the surface and spread it out. The finish was almost 1/32 of an inch thick when it hardened. I remember that we had to chase air bubbles out in the crap with a heat gun ⇦this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] but it sure turned out good. I think it may have died in the hippy era. Just a thought. Won't hurt to call a few shops. Rod Henrickson gunsmith - Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Terry, Thank you for your response. It never occurred to me that when I spoke of furniture I needed to clarify wood or metal. That just shows that I am a novice in the field which is why I come to this site for help. In your response you use MDF, PC & UV can you please tell me what these stand for? Is this liquid polyester that you refer to something that the hobbyist can get? If so, can you tell me where I can find it? Thanks for your continued assistance. Kathie Skrobiak - Orlando, FL, US We've been experimenting with powdercoating on non-conductive surfaces (using polyester powder), and have had some success with wood, plastic, stone, concrete, glass and even cardboard. The process involves heat (to crosslink the powder). Wonder if this applicator is doing the same? Geoff Crowley Crithwood Ltd. Westfield, Scotland, UK Maybe he is patient, Kathie, and rotates the furniture into each position, applies the coating to the topmost surface and lets it dry before rotating again. We have a very good thread on line on letter 17560, which includes photos and discussion by two people who have successfully made these thick clear-top tables with encapsulated bottle caps. Ted Mooney, P.E. Striving to live Aloha finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey

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June 6, 2009

Hi Kathie,
My apologies, MDF... Medium Density Fibreboard, now used a lot in mass produced, low cost furniture. PC... Powder Coating. UV... Ultra Violet Light... one USA plant uses this as the curing source in the PC of MDF.
I think the answer I gave... was in relation to the question "he uses heat". My suggestion would be forget that and investigate what industry is using - Acid cured lacquers, pre-catalysed lacquer etc. Type "wood lacquers" into Google and spend at least one hour reading upon the different types of wood lacquers available, then get your yellow pages and find a lacquer manufacturer or agent who would supply you in small volumes. You do not indicate what equipment you have or how you currently apply a coating. However, you will require spray guns, extraction units, drying areas and local city approval if the business grows, etc.
Hope this helps.

Terry Hickling
Birmingham, United Kingdom