ML Campbells waterborne 2K has insane build and filling. While you may not land on glass smooth I'd bet you'd be damn close in 2 wet coats.

I know people here tend to trash Target but their 9300 with crosslinker is a pretty bullet proof finish and its even exterior rated and Ive run it on bar/table tops many times. Even though its spendy its pretty much my default interior commercial trim finish because sills and extension jambs take a pounding from the sun and the UV rating at that price point (and water) is hard to beat.

The Campbell 2K is a budget buster and its ISO so your field spray is probably out.

I ended up ordering some of the Renner coatings 2k waterborne from Timberlane Finishes. They assured me 2 coats of the sealer will fill the pores of the ash. The healthy skeptic in me led me to buy some aqua coat clear grain filler as well. I've got 22 tables to test different combinations on before the bar top so we'll see. I'll post results. Thanks everyone for your input.

Make sure you protect yourself when mixing and spraying. Waterbased 2k's use isocyanate based catalysts. I used GF's crosslinker for years before I realized I developed an allergy to it. They aren't good for you lungs. Gloves, full face mask and good ventilation when mixing and obviously spraying. Not childs play.

my2cts

Definitely read up on isocyanate hardeners if you are using 2K solvent or waterborne.

We've used the MLC 2K waterborne for countertops & desks and it is bombproof and looks great. You can do multiple coats very quickly. It also full hardens in a day so you can buff it. But it has iso's.

If you read the 3m respirator literature it gives directions on using their regular filters for iso based products. The long and the short of it is they do work but then stop working. Basically replace the filters for every job and you should be fine.

Most people don't take care of their filters regardless. Once opened the mask should be kept in an air tight box. The good gasketed tupper ware boxes work well.

I retract my former statement. Apparently, 3m decided that their filters should not be used for iso. Fresh air supply only.

We used to do plenty of Awlgrip boat jobs and use new filters for every job. That stuff is as aggressive as it gets.

Not saying ISO isnt bad but you know the 3M yank on the filters with ISO came from their legal department and nothing else.

Just an update and wrap up on this thread. Bar is installed and finished. Sealed it with Renner Coating 653 Sealer, sanded it back, put on 2 coats of the Aqua Coat clear grain filler sanding after each coat. 2 coats of Renner Coatings 688 top coat. Final product is amazing. Satin finish but extremely durable.

I attended a wedding at the bar last week( about a month after last coat) groom danced on the bar with shoes on and there are no marks. I cannot recommend this stuff highly enough.

I sprayed it with an Apollo HVLP using the 1.8mm needle and C cup. Definitely needed a very thorough cleaning of the gun with acetone/water after each spray session.

I got a 3m supplied air respirator and a bullard air pump to do this and I've begun using it rather than the facemask with filters for other spraying sessions as well. Have to drag an air hose around but it's more comfortable and I don't have to worry about filters so much just every few hundred hours on the air pump.

Thanks to everyone for their suggestions.

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Hi Oliver. Can you provider more detail on the respirator system you are now using? How do you like it now?

Hi Carl,

I use a Bullard EDP-10 air pump hooked up to a 3m air hose and a 3m versaflo respirator hood. I haven't used my old facemask respirator since. Having the hose is a bit of a pain but I've found that the comfort of the versaflo vs a cartridge mask outweighs that. Don't have to worry about the fit or facial hair also. I got my air pump on eBay for a very reasonable price and for a few extra bucks some brand new filters. Hood is a bit pricey but worth every penny imo.

Thanks for the information Oliver. I have been wanting to spray Renner 2k products but am concerned about not having the necessary PPE equipment. BTW, that bar top is just amazing!!

Thanks Carl, Trigo Wood Fired Pizza in Willimantic, CT- have a visit if it ain't too far.
I laid out probably $1800-$2000 for my whole set up. That also included a different brand 50' hose that I made a coupling for to spray on that site and have my air pump in fresh air. Haven't second guessed that expenditure at all.