How do you fix cracks in the coating of a table?

Cazwiz
by Cazwiz
Hi all. We had to move a heavy diningroom table with about an 1/8th inch thick coating. It must have flexed just enough to spider crack some of the coating.
Does anyone have an idea how to fix the cracks? Heat gun or some other treatment?
Table is about 12 years old, perfect shape other than cracks. Company went out of business a few years back.
Thank you for any responses
  5 answers
  • William William on Dec 24, 2016

    Some of the most beautiful tables made are with a resin table top. Resin is an epoxy polymer that can be poured in liquid form over objects and has the ability to fossilize things. This preservation permits onlookers to have a view of the objects caught in the resin. The most decorative tables these days are resin made with pretty objects inside. The tabletops can sometimes get cracked or chipped or the surface might grow dull after a while. In such cases, the best bet is to make more epoxy polymer and pour it on top of the table to leave a final layer, which not only protects but also strengthens the resin base. ***** Step1: Placing Cloth for Frame..... The type of canvas cloth used should be very thick. The cloth should be placed carefully below the tabletop. This is to avoid spills, making the procedure less messy. No other material should be used to repair the tabletop but the described thick canvas cloth. Epoxy has the ability to dissolve plastic, so special caution should be used in not using any polymer product..... Step 2: Raising the Edges ..... In order for the epoxy to be poured on the top, the table should have raised edges. These edges can be made of metal bindings. There are also soft metal stripping available in the market. This can be attached to the sides of the table so that there’s a trough created to keep the epoxy standing in one place. This helps the liquid to dry out before it can pour and spill. In order to make the borders more liquid resistant, it is wise to seal the boundaries with varnish or such material. These seal off the crevices left by gaps..... Step 3: Mixing the Resin..... The epoxy resin should be mixed in the bucket with the help of a mixing rod. This has to be kept thin to bring fineness to the resulting product. Epoxy pouring for resin tabletops should always be done in steps. The first layer of resin should be poured on the tabletop and left to dry. This way, repeated layers of resin are poured one after the other. Ample time needs to be given to the resin to harden...... Step 4: Settling the Bubbles Formed on the Surface..... The surface should be blown with a drier. This will make bubbles on the surface, if any, burst. The epoxy takes at least two weeks to dry out and harden. The best way is to let it cure with as much time as it requires.

  • Cazwiz Cazwiz on Dec 27, 2016

    Hi William, Thank you for your response. I have done quite a few tables in this before. My question is if there is a way to repair very fine spider cracks that go through the entire finish (approx 1/8" -3/16 thick finish) from the wood up through the finish to the surface.

    A re-pour wouldn't repair these. They are like a crack through glass.

    Was thinking maybe a heat gun or something else someone has had success with.

    Thank you very much

    • William William on Dec 27, 2016

      Heat gun is used to get bubbles out of fresh epoxy. Epoxies will soften, but not melt, so heating it will not likely help, too much, for refilling the gaps/cracks. You could end up burning the epoxy


  • Sophia,M.,McConnery Sophia,M.,McConnery on Dec 27, 2016

    Embrace the cracks.All I would do is seal it with liquid plastic.That is what the trade calls distressing.It is a very expensive treatment!

  • Cazwiz Cazwiz on Dec 27, 2016

    I Would but it is for a client.

    Thank you :))


  • Carla Sward Carla Sward on Oct 05, 2019

    I am having the same issue with a very costly burl table top. Have you founmd out what we can do to fix this...or how to remove the material to refinish?