Best top coat for bar?

[Andrew Wayland]

I appreciate all the help and guidance you guys have given thus far. While I continue to over-research (as I often do for anything...) finish options for cherry, I figured I'd ask now what you all recommend for a top-coat finish?

This project will be a bar (wood top, wood bar rest/rail, and plywood cabinets): so I need something durable and lasting. I'll likely lean towards gloss or semi-gloss finish. I'm likely sticking to cherry at this point (although I'm also considering Mahogany still).

I know the two that come up often are Waterlox and Arm R Seal, but I'm curious what people suggest for this particular application. (I'm sick of driving 40 minutes to pick up stuff to sample so I'd like to make one last sample run today...).

Also; it seems if I'm reading correctly that many of you use multi-stage of Finish coats, with various products. Is this necessary here?

[Wayne Lomman]

Two or three coats of 2 pack polyurethane, nothing else. Sand between coats. Just buy the gloss level you want. Its what I have done commercially for decades and it lasts. Cheers

[Rick Moyer]

My bar top was tile but I used maple hand rail for the rest/rail, and I just applied several(many) coats of Poly, sanding between coats. I think it turned out well and held up great. Almost looks like I epoxied it.

[jack duren]

349214349215We usually pour epoxy and finish with urethane to bring down the gloss....

[Andrew Wayland]

349214349215We usually pour epoxy and finish with urethane to bring down the gloss....
Is there an epoxy you recommend?

[jack duren]

I'll look Monday and try and get a photo of the brand...

[Dave Macy]

349214349215We usually pour epoxy and finish with urethane to bring down the gloss....

Is that Elm? Sorry, I'm just getting started and am still learning how to tell which wood is which but that looks sweet.

[Sam Murdoch]

For your cherry bar I would vote for COPPER - really man this would be awesome!

[Andrew Wayland]

For your cherry bar I would vote for COPPER - really man this would be awesome!
Copper bar top?

just popping this to the top for some more last-minute suggestions!

[Sam Murdoch]

Yes - I wish I had photos - one of the nicest bars I have ever built.

[Andrew Wayland]

Are you talking about the copper foil that you epoxy over?

[Sam Murdoch]

Are you talking about the copper foil that you epoxy over?

No welded sheets - for example http://www.circlecitycopperworks.com/copper-bar-tops.html - though mine was done by a local source.

[Mike Dowell]

I use post-catalyzed lacquer, otherwise known as conversion varnish. Never tried the 2k poly but I've heard the durability is definitely equivalent. Mega water resistance.

[Mike Dowell]

Two or three coats of 2 pack polyurethane, nothing else. Sand between coats. Just buy the gloss level you want. Its what I have done commercially for decades and it lasts. Cheers specifically which product?