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Bar renovation

5/30/24       
Mike Barker  Member

Hi all,
I am in the process of renovating a bar that came out of a jazz club for a banking project. It was built in the nineteen forties or fifties. The first picture shows a small section of keys that are apparently the original. The keys look like they are made of plaster of paris with a coating that is very hard. The second picture shows a long section of keys that I will need to renovate that have been painted over. Does anyone have any idea as to the original process? And then what may be done to renovate the existing? Thank you .
Mike


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5/30/24       #2: Bar renovation ...
Red

Coming soon to the Business forum: "I took a job that I didn't understand and now the client is demanding their money back."

5/31/24       #3: Bar renovation ...
gary

That was a very helpful response. I'm sure Mike appreciates it.

5/31/24       #4: Bar renovation ...
Mike Barker  Member

Thank you Gary. Financial advice was not what I was looking for, nor is it necessary. I enjoy a good challenge.

5/31/24       #5: Bar renovation ...
duster

This looks more like ceramic tile thats been glazed than plaster.

5/31/24       #6: Bar renovation ...
Mike Barker  Member

Interesting observation. The finish does seem to be like ceramic however the substrate, accessible on the edges, is soft enough to easily sand with 80G hand block. Hmmm???

6/1/24       #7: Bar renovation ...
BH Davis  Member

Website: http://www.bhdavis.net

You say you are "renovating" this rather unique bar rail. Are you asking how to repair breaks, chips and missing pieces or just what to use for a final finish? If there are physical repairs to make Bondo might be a reasonable product to use.

As to the finish if that is going to be installed in a commercial bar location you're going to need a coating a good deal more durable than the paint that is currently applied. I'd think some sort of high gloss epoxy. Perhaps white and black tinted West System.

BH Davis

6/1/24       #8: Bar renovation ...
duster

I would've loved to have seen (and had a drink) at that bar when it was good shape. Please post some photos of it when you're finished!

6/1/24       #9: Bar renovation ...
Mike Barker  Member

BH. I think knowing the original process would give me incredible insight as to the direction to proceed.
Without that knowledge it is a bit more difficult. Your suggestion of using epoxy is very viable. I think some experimentation is needed as well as consultation with my finish rep. Thank you for your help.

6/3/24       #10: Bar renovation ...
Brent

It does look like plaster pieces. Looks like every seven keys is the template. I don't think you will have trouble at all renovating this. I don't believe I would build it back to the original design by the looks of the end view. There are better construction methods now than what they incorporated. This looks like a really fun project.

As for the ivory and ebony finish I would second the epoxy idea but finishing is not my wheelhouse.

Good luck, I want finished pics!


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