What is the clear, hardened substance on table tops and bar tops?

Question

Ever seen a bar or table with bottlecaps or something else sealed in with some kind of clear liquid that hardened? It looks like a glass top but it's not. What is that liquid and where can I buy it?

Answer 1

I did a counter top with a two-part epoxy from Home Depot. It was inexpensive (about $40 for two sets), easy to do, and the finished counter turned out great!
It comes in two bottles, sold together, and you just mix the contents together and pour!

Before we did the pouring, we framed off the sides of the counter with paint stirring sticks in order to contain the expoy and keep it from running over the side. We used old, burnt maps and (fake) gold coins to decorate ours, but the mixture can be poured as thick as you like to cover bottlecaps, as you said, or anything else you might like. The objects don't have to be glued down first, as long as you pour carefully, they won't go anywhere.

Another good thing about this product is that it is self-leveling, just pour it out smoothly and slowly and it will spread itself out. If you see any bubbles, you can use a heat light or a hair blow-dryer to bring them to the surface, but be careful not to get the heat too close to the serface, especially as it begins to set up.

Also, after the resin is dry, be prepared to either cover the edge(we used a length of rope to fit our nautical theme), or to file it down, as it will be kind of sharp and uncomfortable if it is a place where you would want to lean or rest your arms & elbows on.

Another thing you might want to pay attention to is the weather. If you live in an area where it is wet and humid, the epoxy is going to need extra time to dry. Again, you could use a blow dryer (at a safe distance) to speed this process up.

Answer 2

Polyurethane

Answer 3

It is a thick acrylic resin that is poured on then left to cure.

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