Post #23743 by tikifish on Thu, Feb 20, 2003 2:40 PM

I just read this today in a book I found at the thrift store on how to make your own groovy space age 70's furniture!

CLOTH TOP TABLE

"This is a method of transferring to a table top the sensational patterns one often sees in curtain fabrics. The best fabric for this purpose is a medium-weight cotton with a tight weave. It is possible to acheive a gleaming, heat-resistant surface with successive coats of clear polyurethane varnish.

We replaced the top of an existing table with a piece of 2cm thick blockboard which we painted white. White gives maximum luminosity to the colour of any fabric you put on top. We then spread a synthetic resin adhesive (the sort you mix with water) over the painted blockboard and smoothed the fabric over it. Your fabric should be thoroughly damp, not wringing wet, for this operation. A wooden ruler is very good for smoothing it flat and pressing out air bubbles.

Let the fabric dry thoroughly before you start varnishing. Apply three or four coats of varnish to start with, then sand carefully with a sanding block and wet sandpaper (i.e. 'wet and dry' silicon-carbide paper, widely used for sanding down paint or woodwork). Wipe off the sludgy residue with a damp cloth. Apply a final coat of varnish, then poish with a good brand of wax/silicone polish.

Aluminum strip makes an elegant edge finish. Screwing it in place is generally more satisfactory than sticking it."

Just replace 'aluminum strip' with bamboo strip' and bob's yer uncle! the picture in the book is very cool too - the table has a high shine.