Shiny Clear Coated Wooden Tables

So i'm sure thart most everyone here has eaten at Outback Steakhouse, Bubba Gumps or some place similar. I just got the most unusual call but i'm always up for a challenge.

I was contacted by Bubba Gumps to come out and place a bid on well . . . . a different form of paint correction job. They asked me to bid on cleaning up their wooden tables. The tables in these restaurants have a clear coat on them similar to automotive clear coats and they are looking to brighten up the tables and clean up some of the light scratches (marring) that comes from their everyday usage. All and all they have approx 40 tables that need to be done.

Now my questions is would i be able to just dive right in with my Makita, Pads & Polishes to get the job done?

The tables look just like these:




Any input is greatly apprecited. The next thing would be how to go about pricing such a thing too. I was also informed that they had them done once before so i do know that it can be done.

 

I would imagine that you would be able to jump right in. Obviously don't start off with the most aggressive method, but I think you'd be just fine.

 

I'll have a better idea of their condition tomorrow when i meet with the Manager in charge and from there i hope to be able to figure something out to help me make a appropriate bid on the job that will allow me to profit yet not be outrageously expensive for them or over the other fellow's bid.

With all the various pads and polish combos out now i would imagine something is bound to work. Might be a good sealing point to try and offer to seal the tables up so if someone spills some soda or water it'll just bead or sheet off LOL :

 

Could you imagine them going with someone cheap and then seeing buffer trails when you sit down and eat? I think I would just have to leave as soon as I saw that

 

THat's hilarious. I think i would have to have a good laugh first and then i would exit. That'll be my selling point then. I charge what i charge because i am a professional with many years experience using both Rotary & DA Polishers, not to many all the high grade products i have.

You think you could seal those tables with a regular paint sealant?

 

This. I wouldnt spend a lot of time trying to explain to him/her what you can do but telling the manager what you WONT do. Those tables are a conversation piece and they aren't going to want someone to come in and ruin them.

 

So what are you suggesting?

 

The tabletops are likely cover in an epoxy product like this:

http://www.aeromarineproducts.com/bar-top-epoxy.htm

http://bartopepoxy.com/

You may want to contact them and ask them what can be done to the epoxy to revive it.

 

Instead of talking about how awesome they will look point out that you'll not make a rookie mistake and leave holograms or buffer trails. Almost inform them about what could go wrong by a rookie.

 

I'm sure you could, but I would rather buy a specialized product for it just to avoid any potential health issues. Even though that probably has a .001% chance of happening.

Also, they may not want them to be sealed. Spilling a drink on a sealed table could make the water rocket off the table and onto the customer where as on an untreated table it may have stayed on the surface and could easily be wiped up. Sealing the table would make it easier to clean, although the cleaner they use in between customers may strip it after a few washes. Just some things to consider. Personally, I probably wouldn't bother sealing it.

 

I contacted them, so we shall see what they say. I'm pretty sure you would treat it like car paint. SO far some articles i have read state you can sand it and polish it with regular automotive polishes, so basically likem car paint.

 

Most likely. This is actually one scenario where a steamer would do well to clean the tops.

 

I'd seal it, I wouldn't be too worried about liquid flying off onto the customer. The tables are flat...and hopefully level

 

Opti-Coat. Wont have to worry about the cleaners stripping it off!

 

some good info here guys. Thanks a lot. Opti-Coat might be a bit expensive no? As for a steamer the tops are much like car paint in the sense that they are swirled up and marred up.

 

colli 476 could be a good direction?

 

What about Rejex (old school) LoL figure i have some that i never use, Collinite 845 or something like that?

 

That second link in your post says it all . . . . . and i quote:

" It can be sanded and buffed to original luster. "

 

It would only be worthwhile to coat them and even then it wouldn't be cheap. You don't know how long a coating would last being exposed to harsh cleaners everyday as well glasses, hands, fingernails, plates, condiments, etc being on it everyday, IMO doesn't seem worth the extra work unless they are willing to drop some coin on it.

 

So im here now using my pc as a tester with a yellow pad and sip and im not even naking a dent. Its not heating up at all. The tablr shined ip a bit but the scratches still remain.

Perhaps a wool pad and a compound like m105 or sanding?