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Joined: Feb 16, 2003
Posts: 824
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B
I got a call from a landscape buddy of mine; he said that a client of his wanted a tiki bar as part of his new yard. I went to see the client and when I walked into the yard, I saw this old Tiki leaning against the wall.
It was in bad shape, lots of rot and a 1/2" root growing up the middle. The owner has lived there since the early 70's and he bought it at a garage sale. There was also a tore up shed in the shape of an “A” frame with rotten palm fronds on it as well as a gazebo back in the corner of the yard.
The client wanted to replace the “A” frame, build a bar of some kind in front of a window including a cover over the window and lastly some kind of fencing to hide the pool equipment.
So here is where this thread is going. Back last September, I saw two guys putting artificial thatch on a gazebo at our hotel in Waikiki. I tracked down the manufacture in Canada and became a distributor for California. I plan to use this thatch on a new a-frame that is more tiki styled as well as thatch on some kind of awning over the window. As far as the bar goes I want to build a bar using concrete counters. I drew up some sketches, gave the client a price and started up. He called me the next day and asked me to use the thatch on the gazebo as well.
I started by welding up some 1” square tube for the awning. I thought about using wood but decided that it would have to be too bulky and large for this job. I covered it with plywood and 15lb felt.
After installing firing strips, we started to apply the thatch. The thatch is a UV inhibited plastic, has a 20-year warranty not to lose its waterproofing, texture or color for 20 years. It has the look, feel and even the rustling sound of real thatch.
And thatched,
Meanwhile I started to restore the tiki, trying to keep as much material as possible, I removed some of the most punky wood, roots, dirt and debris. I inserted two threaded rods, ½ x 24” up into the body from the bottom. Below the mouth all the wood was as dry as a rice cake and was ready to just crumble. I stared pumping resin into the interior of the body using a large hypodermic and needle. I have used this product to restore some exterior newel posts on an old Victorian home.
Anyone recognize this guy? I am quite sure that it’s the real thing, great design; great carving it appears that it once was painted.
More to come.
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