Asked on Jun 11, 2015

How do I resurface this piece?

Zoe
by Zoe
I recently found this corner unit on the side of the street, and I thought it would make a great outside bar. Any ideas of how to do it? I'm just beginning to recycle furniture so any ideas will help. Thanks
  13 answers
  • Steve Steve on Jun 11, 2015
    It depends on your style. Are you just talking about the top or the whole bar? For the top you might consider a zinc sheet (looks like a piece of aluminum or stainless steel and you glue it down). Maybe some Formica laminate or a scrap piece of granite. You could do bar wood or pallet wood for a rustic or tiki look. If you are going to do the cabinet, maybe go with bamboo shades or a bamboo fence to make it look tiki. A tile top would work too and be very easy. I'm jealous I love the piece.
  • Zoe Zoe on Jun 11, 2015
    I was thinking more of the outside and inside areas. I would like to keep the top the stainless steel finish.
  • Amy P Amy P on Jun 12, 2015
    I'm afraid you are setting yourself up for failure with the 'wood' part being particle? board. It is already starting to separate at the bottom and will only likely to continue the progress if left outside. It will likely soak up water and start to swell as well. but good luck.
  • Tess Borgra Tess Borgra on Jun 12, 2015
    If this is stainless steel, take a sander to it and make swirls. But like Amy said, the wood's not going to last. Keep the top and make a new base.
  • Mary Mary on Jun 12, 2015
    You might consider taking the top off and making a new stand out of plumbing pipe. Would make a nice outdoor bar/serving counter.
  • Pamela Langone Pamela Langone on Jun 12, 2015
    tile sides
  • METAL TOP WILL GET REAL HOT , OUTSIDE IN SUN. PUT ON PORCH OR ALL DAY SHADE. PARTICLE BOARD IS NOT GOOD OUTDOOR WOOD. LIKE MARY'S IDEA ( PIPE LEGS). GOOD LUCK ! ! !
  • Liz Liz on Jun 13, 2015
    Like everyone said, particle board will continue to decompose if exposed to moisture. If you are brand new to recycling, you might be willing to use this as a practice piece that will hold up for a couple of years. Then you can find another at Habitat's store, Craigs list, etc. If you lift the unit off the ground by attaching real wood kick plate on the bottom, you will keep the particle board off the ground, therefore, minimizing water damage. That can be done for a reasonable cost, should last awhile while giving you a usable bar in the meantime. Make sure, if you do this, that you get it as level as possible, use shims where necessary to keep movement at a minimum. You can paint the base or cover it with something to protect it for awhile. It will not hold up at all if left in an uncovered place, exposed to the elements. If you don't have a covered patio or a good awning, I wouldn't bother trying to salvage it. Congratulations on your starter piece. All of us started somewhere, possibly with something similar. Don't be discouraged if you wind up junking the particle board cabinets and just saving the top. Lots of people are tearing out their 1950's kitchens which generally were plywood. Keep your eyes open, continue to check Craig's list for the free stuff people are giving away. You can keep an eye on ReStore also, if there is one in your area. Wood cabinets are available out there and would be more satisfactory for your purpose. Give the one you have a try. You'll learn a LOT by trying.
  • Joe Berezoski Joe Berezoski on Jun 14, 2015
    How do I screen a back porch?
  • Galen smith Galen smith on Jun 20, 2015
    just saw the post using an old towel soaked in concrete. Might try this for top, using a coloring (think Rit dye or Kool-aid would work). Maybe even burlap? upholstery fabric? Don't overlook putting casters on the bottom (looks like you will need six, so that you can easily move the piece in and out of the sun, or position where the need is. Good luck
  • Janis Gibson Janis Gibson on Jun 20, 2015
    If you could get some pallets, I'd remove each plank and place it where the straight lines of the cabinet are now. Wouldn't worry about any cut edges. It would be haphazard with a lot of nail holes but rustic and awesome!
  • Alecia Hartman Alecia Hartman on Jun 20, 2015
    You may be able to use a marine epoxy paint or an epoxy sealer that would lock out the moisture. As for the top, you can leave it as is or you could try having plywood cut to size and tile it. Just some ideas.
  • Carol Carol on Jun 27, 2015
    I love it. I would add shelves and maybe a couple drawers to cabinets without the hole in the counter.depending on your purpose, I would add a trash bin under the hole for trash or a 4X4 or 6X6 through the hole for a light or a shade. For the outside, you can paint it and use wood or signs or printed cloth then a clear epoxy finish. The paint and finishes are very important since it will be outside.