I want to mount some fabric onto plywood, and then paint over the fabric with some kind of clear coat, and end up with a finish similiar to if it was just painted wood. Anyone ever done this? The fabric I have is a denim and twill? It's in the mail...haven't received it yet. Any suggestion on what would work best for the clear? Something thick, I'd think, so that I don't have to put on 100 coats. Oh, and I'd prefer cheap, too. Thanks guys. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Are you attempting soft or hard surfacing? Try schellak?

Going for a hard surface. I just don't want the surface to be too slippery when I'm done. Schellak is what my wife said to use. I was wondering about something like a clear coat designed for wood floors, or like the stuff (can't think of what it's called) that they spray on wood furniture after it is stained.

I believe "polyurethane" is the finish you're looking for. It's used on furniture and floors.

There are a myriad of ways to apply it. I've always used either a brush (furniture) or a roller (floors or decks). However, there are ways of pouring it into a mold of sorts on top of the surface to be finished. Once it sets, I believe they take a torch to it to melt it and let it reset. This will release any bubbles and make the surface finish crystal clear. Mind you, I've never done this and might not be descibing it correctly. A little research will go a long way.

You'll see bar tops and some table tops done that way. The finish is tough as nails.

If your making a trinket table you want to use a pourable non-yellowing epoxy. Google "Clear Cast", "Bio Clear 810" or "por a kast" <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Someday I want to make a table top, but for now, that's not what I'm up to. I hate to admit what I'm workin on. It's a set of "bean bag toss" boards. Everyone has sports teams, either pro or college. I found some cool camo bags, and want to try to get the boards to match. If I had the extra cash, I'd have bought some sheets of camo clad vinyl. I'll let you guys know how this turns out.

Sounds similar to decoupage.

http://www.ehow.com/how_8634254_use-fabric-decoupage.html

http://www.ehow.com/how_12046992_decoupage-fabric-wood.html

Wife was just telling me about some new plastic coating for fabric that ends up like oilcloth. You iron it on. Look for the HGTV web site for some show called High Low show or something like that, in the last couple of weeks.

If you want hard, polyurethane is your friend, paint the board, lay on the cloth, paint the cloth, use a disposable rubber roller to roll out the bubbles, recoat to slick it up. Try a composite construction supply company. I use Aircraft Spruce and Specialty, who cater to homebuilt airplane guys (fascinating free catalog - lotsa neat tools and gauges and stuff - they have or had a store south of ATL).

You'll have to work fast, or find some slow setting polyurethane. You can thin it with mineral spirits to make it saturate the cloth better.

Thanks guys. I'm going to go with the poly. Now just have to find the time. I've been working stupid hours lately.