Bowling Alley Counter Tops Part 2

I've been working on finishing the smaller piece of counter top for the last week. The weather has cooled off so for finishing I have to get the shop warmed up and keep it warm while the finish cures.

I am using Minwax Spar Urethane in satin on the counter tops. The spar urethane really adds a richness and warmth I am happy with how it is looking.

I started by applying a coat to the bottom side

I marked the counter top with my brand in a location that will be visible from inside the cabinet.

After the first coat

After the first coat has dried.

After the first coat has dried.

 I've put 4 coats on the counter top and still have some work to do on it to take care of some flaws in the finish.

While the smaller piece cures I started working on the large section. I will taking this one all the way apart and re-assembling with glue. First step was to remove the old finish, I again used my hand plane to remove the finish.

 Next step was to flip the counter top and then start pulling it apart. There are a lot of nails in there. This is where I had to stop for the night last night.

7 rows out of 24 removed and de-nailed

I won some Schawg

Matt's basement workshop has a monthly schwag drawing. I usually enter after Matt post something reminding people like me there are only a few days left to enter.

On april 2nd I was reading the post in my RSS reader and was surprised to see my name listed as a winner for the March schwag drawing. By the time I could get to my email I had an email from Matt congratulating me and requesting my shipping information, that was Tuesday   I was really surprised on Friday when my wife texted me and told me that my prize had been delivered.

So what did I win? I won a Minwax Tool Box Kit

Minwax Tool Box Kit

I was amazed at all was inside.

The top layer of goodies

The bottom was full too

Here is a list of what it included. All are half pint cans

• Minwax Wood Finish Stains
• 11 of the 22 shades Minwax offers 
• Minwax Gel Stain
• 3 of the 10 shades offered.
• Minwax Polyshades
• Pecan in a satin finish
• Classic oak in satin and gloss
• Minwax Fast-Drying Polyurethane 
• Gloss, Semi-Gloss, Satin
• Minwax Polycrylic
• Gloss, Semi-Gloss, Satin
• Minwax Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner 
• Minwax Stainable Wood Filler
• Minwax Wood Finish Stain Markers 

I want to thanks Matt's Basement Workshop and Minwax for this nice prize. I look forward to using these products on my future projects.