Post #277549 by Lonepalm77 on Mon, Jan 8, 2007 3:15 PM

The bar top and one of the stools appears to have been sanded, but everything else is thick and layered with lacquer. It's at the point where it has been exposed to the elements for so long that the layers and layers of lacquer are cracked. There doesn't seem to be a consistent patina to it, aside from the brass bands that are on either end of the bar (to hold the 2-plank top together). The brass is naturally weathered, but the rest of the bar is greyish where the lacquer has come off, and a beautiful rich color where the lacquer has held on. We tried to identify the wood, but the most info we got was from someone who's brother built tiki bars back in the 50s and 60s...it's made from old doors (storage, I think) from barges, and the carved-out circles with a metal band running across it are actually the handles. Any truth to this? Just because I was told that, doesn't mean it's true. :) Prior to finding out about this, we noticed that Bahookas in Rosemead seems to use the same type of wood throughout (including on the exterior of their bulding). I'll try to get a picture of the bar to post. Remarkably, there is no rot and it doesn't appear to be too damaged. What we thought was termite damage on the bar front turned out to be wormwood. The thing is completely solid and formidably heavy, they certainly don't make them like that anymore! Thanks for the tip!