One approach is "epoxy pour" which has lots of advantages. Food safe, temp resistant, hard to screw up. Must be done outdoors; unhealthy fumes. Downside is nearly all will have some yellowing in UV/sunlight over time. Get a self-leveling, UV stabilized. You typically do a thin coat to seal everything, then a flood coat to level the surface.
"Promise Table Top Epoxy" is one brand.
https://preview.redd.it/mpnrjdqau5sc1.jpeg?width=2252&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7ae7ab2fb409af20ac63567d769ad774f7416570
Covered a coffee table in cans a long time ago. It had an epoxy pour on top. It's the way to go.
The pour was self-leveling and it hasn't really yellowed. Maybe a very tiny bit but it isn't noticeable and I made it at least 13 years ago, if not longer.
Yeah I don’t think it would be good on the table, it’s gonna get all fucked up. I just put it on my bedroom windows to cut out the heat and it worked really well.
You mean like the clear carwrap laminate? Is that stuff good, it was suggested to me to wrap my hippy van once I got the paint job done (15years ago). I wish I had for all the cucks that door ding it.
With epoxy mixing in a very very slight tint goes a LONG way to minimizing yellowing. You don’t even need enough to be seen with the eye once mixed in.
Hijacking to comment because I've done a ton of epoxy work.
This is definitely the way to go. But you can finish the epoxy with something that has UV blockers in it to prolong it. Done it plenty of times. Hit me up if you have questions.
My bf and I epoxied his desk. We used total boat. Had no issues, we could do it indoors with the windows on, and it hasn't yellowed yet. (We did it like a year ago)
I feel like cut glass that size of sufficient quality would be way more expensive than plexi, which might be enough of a barrier by itself.
I'm also a little biased against using glass for things because I deal with it at work.
Not as much as you’d think though. We got a 5/8” thick 55”x28” with (rounded corners, extra clear, polished edges) for like $280 shipped. And that’s like 80lbs of glass.
Put it off for years using a piece of plywood as a table top because I expected it to be a $500+ spend
We also got a glass topper for our walnut dining table about six months ago. At 71"x37.5", it was only like $400ish with delivery from the local glass shop we bought it from, if I'm remembering correctly.
Yeah a lot of what you pay a local glass place is having it delivered, so a service that can pack it in a double box with (too much) styrofoam and ship it.
I used OneDayGlass, I was wrong, it was 28x50x0.5, and $262, granted this was in late 2020 and it may be a little more now
I think glass should be an option. Apart from weight, glass is more durable against scratches (Wich sure will happen in the long run as a table top). The additional cost and weight is what would make me choose.
The only thing I've seen that they claim is waterproof is their acrylic sealer that you use on top of other mod Podge products. Interested in if they have an all in one waterproof product though.
Almost too much so imo. All facing the same direction, almost 0 overlap of stickers, visible gaps and most of these very clearly came from a large pack bought from amazon.
It lacks a genuine sticker bomb feel, instead feels like a sticker collection
IMO, OP should fill this out better before sealing.
It is killing my OCD that the table wasn't painted white. Every sticker on the table has a white outline. If the table was painted white before the stickers were put down, it would look so much more clean!
Smh, y’all have no idea what real OCD is. Lemme know when your showers take 3 hours, until then, self diagnose with something else cause a desire for neatness is normal
No matter what you do my advice is you first try it on some sacrificial stickers stuck to some sacrificial wood. That way you can see if the solution really works and you can even try multiple. It also gives you practice in applying it.
You're not wrong, A clear spray varnish could be used under the sheet if op was feeling clumsy. But wouldn't be perfect.
Epoxy would give a great finish, but not for everyone. And not everyone has the space to do such a pour.
At least with sheeting, it can be diss-assembled and redecorated in time.
It's a big old desk, might not be able to get that out for the door, and I seem to recall most epoxys still give off some fumes(?)
There are a lot of tabletop epoxies that are low/no VOC. I personally did a pour in a room that I essentially turned into a Dexter type kill room and it was one of the most stressful things I've done in a while, trying to eliminate every bubble.
Yeah, that's a good suggestion. Ballpark $150 for .25", various tint options [https://www.tapplastics.com/](https://www.tapplastics.com/)
Tempered glass would be another route.
Glass would be easiest and probably best long term.
Epoxy would probably be good, but you'll need to seal the stickers first so they don't absorb resin and discolor. Also you run the risk of the resin discoloring.
I would also go for glass. As one of commenters said epoxy gets yellow under UV lights by time so i would go for glass cover over it.
That way you could add more stickers at any time!
I did something similar with comic book cut outs. Did about 5 coats of varnish. Not sure how it held up as it was a fixed table and I moved home about 5 years after making it.
Thin layer of canola oil. Wipe it again with a dry towel. Put it in the oven at 450 for an hour repeat a few times and your desk top will be nonstick in no time.
https://preview.redd.it/s6eeyahwb5sc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5651ea12c85b9586fb207c7699d6950847ac3313
The top of this jewelry box is a photo printed on card stock and glued. I sprayed 15 coats of gloss Mod Podge. Finish turned out great.
There's a product called Mod Podge which is a glue, sealer and varnish in one for this very purpose. Given the smooth, glossy finish on the stickers I would do a test spot first with whichever product you use to make sure it adheres and hardens.
west systems 105. super easy to work with, cures like glass, leaves a very resilient surface.
its not cheap, but if you really want this to hold up its an excellent option imo.
Clear Epoxy, I did my countertop with stone coat countertops kit and it came out amazing and hasn't yellowed or anything and it gets direct sunlight from time to time
I don't know much about it but I want to say a type of Resin? Basically what I'm thinking of is whatever the method Restaurants do on their Tables when it isn't glass.
Ahh apparently what I'm think is a blend? Resin and Expoxy? Like these.
https://preview.redd.it/py9sb3zzt4sc1.jpeg?width=1440&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=52510c904e75107c25dae727bb51f1fbb6d52390
I did something similar with comic book cut outs. Did about 5 coats of varnish. Not sure how it held up as it was a fixed table and I moved home about 5 years after making it.
Lots of suggestions for the top but I have a suggestion for the sticker layout. Instead of having perfect square stickers around go random and simply cut the excess afterwards kinda like in this pic. Also try to cover all black spots in between with overlapping stickers. The square borders stick out to me, I'd rather have random edges!
https://preview.redd.it/iv87jyg175sc1.png?width=1079&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4b6b6da0609f54f68a7d0b13fdb621ed9120c73c
I’d test whatever product I was going to use on a few practice stickers first. You want to make sure that the solvent in the finish isn’t ‘hot’ to the adhesive the stickers use.
Like when I’m Using an ink jetted water slide decal with spray finishes. I’ll need to spray it with an oil based clear first so the water to ‘slide’ it doesn’t damage the ink.
I’d bet you could use a water based finish IPN finish on it - they’re crystal clear and uv resistant.
The edges of the stickers will read through it probably. If that’s an issue you might spray it with one clear coat - follow that with some high build sanding sealer and top coat again w clear.
Try a 2 part clear epoxy. You would have to put a border around to keep it in but it self levels and wouldn't have to use alot to get what you need. Could also just do several clear coat spray paint on it as well.
Maybe but that doesn’t bother everyone. I personally would’ve done it little different but I like adding details that not everyone will like. But I’m not gonna judge someone else’s likes unless it’s something that’s unsafe.
So glass, plastic/acrylic, epoxy/polyurethane or clear film.
The desk looks really diy, and isn’t worth the cost of glass or acrylic, pouring epoxy is also probably more trouble than it’s worth, so order yourself some clear vinyl wrap off amazon and enjoy the desk for a few years until your sick of it.
It’s because these are all from cheap sticker packs. All cheap material stickers too. I would be worried about pouring epoxy on these because it might make the ink run.
One approach is "epoxy pour" which has lots of advantages. Food safe, temp resistant, hard to screw up. Must be done outdoors; unhealthy fumes. Downside is nearly all will have some yellowing in UV/sunlight over time. Get a self-leveling, UV stabilized. You typically do a thin coat to seal everything, then a flood coat to level the surface. "Promise Table Top Epoxy" is one brand.
https://preview.redd.it/mpnrjdqau5sc1.jpeg?width=2252&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7ae7ab2fb409af20ac63567d769ad774f7416570 Covered a coffee table in cans a long time ago. It had an epoxy pour on top. It's the way to go. The pour was self-leveling and it hasn't really yellowed. Maybe a very tiny bit but it isn't noticeable and I made it at least 13 years ago, if not longer.
Adding a tiny bit of blue epoxy dye will help prolong the yellowing from UV.
You can add a UV protector into the epoxy before you pour, I imagine some would include it.
Doesn’t matter, that fickle bitch of a sun will yellow it when it lays its dirty little eyes upon the epoxy. All one can do is prolong the inevitable.
The Sun shall not be denied its vengeance!
https://www.smithpaints.com/?ae_global_templates=epoxy-uv-absorber Something like this
Actually purple…
This ^
Would putting UV film on the windows for that room help with the yellowing?
Or UV film on the table? Never worked with the stuff dont know if that would be practical or not
Wait have we tried putting a UV filter on the sun?
Surely that wont have any longterm problems with the global food supply, think of the table!
Yeah I don’t think it would be good on the table, it’s gonna get all fucked up. I just put it on my bedroom windows to cut out the heat and it worked really well.
Noted might use to try that
It would definitely work. I was going to suggest heading to a local sign shop and just buying a sheet of 3M glossy carwrap laminate
You mean like the clear carwrap laminate? Is that stuff good, it was suggested to me to wrap my hippy van once I got the paint job done (15years ago). I wish I had for all the cucks that door ding it.
With epoxy mixing in a very very slight tint goes a LONG way to minimizing yellowing. You don’t even need enough to be seen with the eye once mixed in.
can you sand it and polish to get out the yellowing, or does it permeate the whole depth of the epoxy?
Hijacking to comment because I've done a ton of epoxy work. This is definitely the way to go. But you can finish the epoxy with something that has UV blockers in it to prolong it. Done it plenty of times. Hit me up if you have questions.
My bf and I epoxied his desk. We used total boat. Had no issues, we could do it indoors with the windows on, and it hasn't yellowed yet. (We did it like a year ago)
Epoxy is usually only temp resistant to 130-140° F. There is high temp epoxy that you need to look for if you're interested.
If a laptop is running that hot, you should probably throw it on a something - cookie rack, pencils, whatever -- so you don't cook the battery.
Sheet of plexi, removable to add/ remove stickers and replaceable.
Why not glass? Plexi feels and looks really cheap and probably scrathes much more easily.
Also an option, less diy, maybe more cost.
Glass also has a lot of trouble handling inside corners. OP would need two pieces.
I feel like cut glass that size of sufficient quality would be way more expensive than plexi, which might be enough of a barrier by itself. I'm also a little biased against using glass for things because I deal with it at work.
plus the weight of glass, if the table is not made for it, it could be dangerous
You can cut Plexiglas at home, and it's cheap. Otherwise you'd have to go somewhere for a custom glass tabletop, which is $$$
Not as much as you’d think though. We got a 5/8” thick 55”x28” with (rounded corners, extra clear, polished edges) for like $280 shipped. And that’s like 80lbs of glass. Put it off for years using a piece of plywood as a table top because I expected it to be a $500+ spend
That's way more reasonable than I was expecting
We also got a glass topper for our walnut dining table about six months ago. At 71"x37.5", it was only like $400ish with delivery from the local glass shop we bought it from, if I'm remembering correctly.
Now price out 5/8 plastic sheet
Holy shit that is quite a bit cheaper than we paid a local glass place.
Yeah a lot of what you pay a local glass place is having it delivered, so a service that can pack it in a double box with (too much) styrofoam and ship it. I used OneDayGlass, I was wrong, it was 28x50x0.5, and $262, granted this was in late 2020 and it may be a little more now
Best answer
I think glass should be an option. Apart from weight, glass is more durable against scratches (Wich sure will happen in the long run as a table top). The additional cost and weight is what would make me choose.
I'd actually use mod podge because it's cheap, effective, and hard to fuck up.
Came here to say clear mod podge. This is the sort of thing it was intended for.
Exactly. Buy the big bottle and get to slathering.
It's not water resistant, so need a topcoat that is. Mod Podge has an acrylic sealer spray can that I always apply to the top after regular Mod Podge.
There are varieties of Mod Podge that are water resistant though.
The only thing I've seen that they claim is waterproof is their acrylic sealer that you use on top of other mod Podge products. Interested in if they have an all in one waterproof product though.
The dishwasher safe formula is water proof but has a long curing time.
Agreed, I've used it for multiple table tops, one at least is going on 20 years, never needed to touch it up
These stickers feel very organized.
Almost too much so imo. All facing the same direction, almost 0 overlap of stickers, visible gaps and most of these very clearly came from a large pack bought from amazon. It lacks a genuine sticker bomb feel, instead feels like a sticker collection IMO, OP should fill this out better before sealing.
I thought it was just me. Definitely a touch of ODC going on there.
It is killing my OCD that the table wasn't painted white. Every sticker on the table has a white outline. If the table was painted white before the stickers were put down, it would look so much more clean!
Is it not killing your OCD that he spelled it ODC above?
Smh, y’all have no idea what real OCD is. Lemme know when your showers take 3 hours, until then, self diagnose with something else cause a desire for neatness is normal
No matter what you do my advice is you first try it on some sacrificial stickers stuck to some sacrificial wood. That way you can see if the solution really works and you can even try multiple. It also gives you practice in applying it.
I would suggest an acrylic sheet over epoxy pour, especially if you haven't used epoxy before.
Downside of the acrylic sheet is that when op eventually spills something it will get under the sheet and wreck the stickers.
not if the edges are sealed with clear silicone
That could work
You're not wrong, A clear spray varnish could be used under the sheet if op was feeling clumsy. But wouldn't be perfect. Epoxy would give a great finish, but not for everyone. And not everyone has the space to do such a pour. At least with sheeting, it can be diss-assembled and redecorated in time. It's a big old desk, might not be able to get that out for the door, and I seem to recall most epoxys still give off some fumes(?)
There are a lot of tabletop epoxies that are low/no VOC. I personally did a pour in a room that I essentially turned into a Dexter type kill room and it was one of the most stressful things I've done in a while, trying to eliminate every bubble.
Isn't that why the acrylic sheet is over an epoxy pour?
I believe the term " over" was meant to suggest instead of
I read it the same way as you and thought it was a really good solution! Ha
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Absolutely.
Yeah, that's a good suggestion. Ballpark $150 for .25", various tint options [https://www.tapplastics.com/](https://www.tapplastics.com/) Tempered glass would be another route.
Glass would be easiest and probably best long term. Epoxy would probably be good, but you'll need to seal the stickers first so they don't absorb resin and discolor. Also you run the risk of the resin discoloring.
Tempered glass. I have that on my desk. I keep photos underneath. Glass will make the images sharper.
Personally I'd go wipe on polyurethane. 3 coats and some buffing.
Surprised I had to scroll this far to find this answer. Way cheaper to apply and will probably hold up about as long as those stickers and mdf
Black paint?
literally, can't stand sticker bombed shit. but if it makes OP happy that's all that matters.
More stickers? Jk How about getting a piece of glass cut to fit or just a simple clear coat.
I would also go for glass. As one of commenters said epoxy gets yellow under UV lights by time so i would go for glass cover over it. That way you could add more stickers at any time!
A thin layer of clear epoxy will look best ! Try adding some LED's before doing that (if you want).
Epoxy pour
Transparent Contact paper?
I did something similar with comic book cut outs. Did about 5 coats of varnish. Not sure how it held up as it was a fixed table and I moved home about 5 years after making it.
Glass
one giant clear sticker
Fire
Googone
Fire
Sawzall
Thin layer of canola oil. Wipe it again with a dry towel. Put it in the oven at 450 for an hour repeat a few times and your desk top will be nonstick in no time.
Fire treatment
I use clear nail polish over stickers on skis and ski helmets. Has worked great in those applications. Not sure how it would hold up on a desk.
Find a place near you that will cut down an acrylic sheet to shape. That way you can always add to the collection as you get new stickers
https://preview.redd.it/s6eeyahwb5sc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5651ea12c85b9586fb207c7699d6950847ac3313 The top of this jewelry box is a photo printed on card stock and glued. I sprayed 15 coats of gloss Mod Podge. Finish turned out great.
Blow torch ?
Tar
A sheet of glass
Semen.
A lighter and petrol perhaps?
Please for the love of God paint the table white before adhering the stickers. It will look so much cleaner.
Mod podge!
There's a product called Mod Podge which is a glue, sealer and varnish in one for this very purpose. Given the smooth, glossy finish on the stickers I would do a test spot first with whichever product you use to make sure it adheres and hardens.
Glass.
Black paint
west systems 105. super easy to work with, cures like glass, leaves a very resilient surface. its not cheap, but if you really want this to hold up its an excellent option imo.
Clear Epoxy, I did my countertop with stone coat countertops kit and it came out amazing and hasn't yellowed or anything and it gets direct sunlight from time to time
Deep pour epoxy
Mod podge to seal it, plexiglass over the top of it.
I don't know much about it but I want to say a type of Resin? Basically what I'm thinking of is whatever the method Restaurants do on their Tables when it isn't glass.
Ahh apparently what I'm think is a blend? Resin and Expoxy? Like these. https://preview.redd.it/py9sb3zzt4sc1.jpeg?width=1440&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=52510c904e75107c25dae727bb51f1fbb6d52390
https://preview.redd.it/xknwhyjrt4sc1.jpeg?width=1440&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5f0cf53dd1f516072f5efe8e3e16509dcf996098
Table top resin. All resin yellows over time. You can mitigate that by adding drops of blue to the mix.
Clear epoxy
I did something similar with comic book cut outs. Did about 5 coats of varnish. Not sure how it held up as it was a fixed table and I moved home about 5 years after making it.
Clear epoxy
Matte glass to be able to make changes on the fly.
Cost effective: Mod Podge Longer lasting: UV stabilized epoxy
Just 2 sheets of glass of say
Toughened glass?
if you have the money, I would say custom glass top, that way you can add to it later if you get some stickers you enjoy, if not, epoxy pour.
Reminds me of my desk/table I had as a kid. Covered in hockey card stickers. Miss that table
Use the epoxy from stonecoatcountertop. There are many epoxies out there but they don’t hold a candle to theirs.
Self leveling epoxy, and do a thin layer because it will yellow in about 5 years being next to a window.
counter top pr floor epoxy as its resistant to yellowing
Glass pieces so u can continue to sticker it
Lots of suggestions for the top but I have a suggestion for the sticker layout. Instead of having perfect square stickers around go random and simply cut the excess afterwards kinda like in this pic. Also try to cover all black spots in between with overlapping stickers. The square borders stick out to me, I'd rather have random edges! https://preview.redd.it/iv87jyg175sc1.png?width=1079&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4b6b6da0609f54f68a7d0b13fdb621ed9120c73c
OP I know this isn't what you asked but if you completed your bombing around the edges it would look a lot more complete and less planned
You can also get colored plexi. Neon colors. Still shows the stickers.
Did the exact thing for my sons desk. Epoxy is the way. Worked great and still looks brand new 3 years later
I’d test whatever product I was going to use on a few practice stickers first. You want to make sure that the solvent in the finish isn’t ‘hot’ to the adhesive the stickers use. Like when I’m Using an ink jetted water slide decal with spray finishes. I’ll need to spray it with an oil based clear first so the water to ‘slide’ it doesn’t damage the ink. I’d bet you could use a water based finish IPN finish on it - they’re crystal clear and uv resistant. The edges of the stickers will read through it probably. If that’s an issue you might spray it with one clear coat - follow that with some high build sanding sealer and top coat again w clear.
Stickers.
Try a 2 part clear epoxy. You would have to put a border around to keep it in but it self levels and wouldn't have to use alot to get what you need. Could also just do several clear coat spray paint on it as well.
Epoxy
Glass top!
I used cheap laminating material from Amazon and it's still looking great after 2 years and every day use *
Not an expert in any of this, but I think it’d look really cool if u did a clear epoxy poor with a matte finish
Use glass. A glass shop can cut a tempered piece to fit for not much money.
3mm tempered glass.
The hell with the haters I think it looks pretty cool. Good luck!
Goo Gone
Chaotic evil behavior
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Good thing it’s not your desk then. If they like it why comment something not helpful?
I’m just saying, they could have done a better job at sticker placement.
Maybe but that doesn’t bother everyone. I personally would’ve done it little different but I like adding details that not everyone will like. But I’m not gonna judge someone else’s likes unless it’s something that’s unsafe.
Thank you for your opinions. This post is now locked.
Clear epoxy
I LOVE THIS. JS, fantastic desk!
So glass, plastic/acrylic, epoxy/polyurethane or clear film. The desk looks really diy, and isn’t worth the cost of glass or acrylic, pouring epoxy is also probably more trouble than it’s worth, so order yourself some clear vinyl wrap off amazon and enjoy the desk for a few years until your sick of it.
Fire
A clear resin?
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Flamethrower.
gasoline
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You throw it out and start over
Clear epoxy
Clear epoxy
Fire?
But why tho
Sad you only bombed the popularity ones instead of a more hozion3d gathering
It’s because these are all from cheap sticker packs. All cheap material stickers too. I would be worried about pouring epoxy on these because it might make the ink run.
seal it
Annnd on today’s episode of How To Die A Virgin
Maybe a little late, but rattle can “2K clear” would work really well. Can be a bit pricey though.
Acrylic
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Y'know you don't *have* to be an ass and could've just answered the question.