how to best achieve high gloss black finish?

[dicky96]

Hi all
My first post on this great forum - I hope it is in the right section.

I'm building a home cocktail bar. I want to achieve something similar the high gloss 'piano black' finish I've seen on some modern funiture.

I'm hoping to get some advice here on how best to achieve this, my first thought is to use a timber frame and then black acrylic (perspex) sheet fixed over the frame. I've seen some similar use of acrylic (including flourescent acrylics) on pre built home bars but they cost too much for my liking and non are really the size I want.

My questions are really...

Am I going about this the right way or is there a better option?

How easy is acrylic sheet to work with in a DIY project of this type? I have no experience of this type of material though I have read some articles about what type of cutting blades / drills etc to use and it doesn't sound too specialised.

If it is of any relevance, the cocktail bar is not very large, just about 1.8m long and will be curved to fit into one corner of a room, roughly a 90 degree arc.

best regards
dicky

 

[dicky96]

mmmm some views no advice - which leads me to think this question (or my idea of how to achieve it) was pretty dumb? lol

OK so can I achieve the same sort of high gloss black finish that I have seen, with plenty of sanding, black paint / stain and varnish....

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

To achieve the piano black shine you are talking about AFAIK the comercial method involves spraying and sanding back several times in meticulous conditions, you'll not achieve it with a paint brush. You're entering a world of matching paints, correct drying times, lacquers and allsorts.

Although search the net and others may prove you wrong eg http://www.htguide.com/forum/archive/index.php4/t-3242.html or http://www.lungster.com/l/speakers/pianofinish.shtml

 

[ColJack]

once built, take it to a car sprayer and get them to prime and spray it for you..

 

[dicky96]

Thanks for the links - very interesting reading

Re the car sprayers.... now there is a very good thought

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Re the car sprayers.... now there is a very good thought

There's a league of difference between painting metal and timber.

 

[ColJack]

not if you use the right fillers and sealers..

the guns can be re-tasked for things other than car paint you know..
laquer etc..

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

not if you use the right fillers and sealers..

the guns can be re-tasked for things other than car paint you know..
laquer etc..

Exactly, he just has to find a Car Body Sprayer who's familiar with the complex process of creating a piano finish on timber.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

once built, take it to a car sprayer and get them to prime and spray it for you..

Now an electric guitar sprayer might worth investigating too.

 

[dicky96]

Hi guys

Well I seem to have sparked a debate lol.

As it just happens a good friend of mine, his lad has trained as a car sprayer and he is just setting up in his own unit to do spray work. So I asked my friend to chat with his lad and see what he thinks about this idea either of spraying onto timber, or mdf, to get this type of finish. I'll get back when I have a reply

dicky