Let's table this issue

Post date: 2020-12-03 18:08:26
Views: 100
Woodworkers of MeFi: what's the best way to finish a door with painted details so that it can be used as a dining table? Specific issues inside.

OK, so I've made a table out of cast aluminum legs and a midcentury men's room door from an architectural salvage place. It's really cool, but it has some specific issues (chipping of the veneer in places, screw holes all the way through in places where the push plates were attached originally, a vent/grille in the bottom third of the door that I'm just going to use as a built-in tray, with a 1/4 inch wooden lip around its edge). Most importantly, I want to preserve its character (ie. don't want to stain it or strip it), and don't want to wreck its key feature: the word MEN painted in midcentury lettering at the top. But I want this to last and not be destroyed by spills and drinks, etc.

I have an idea of what could be done to preserve it but have just cobbled this idea together through internet research, so am looking for confirmation of this method or some revision suggestions. Right now, am thinking I'll fill the chips and holes with a BluFixx clear resin pen to even out the surface (I don't mind seeing the chips, but don't want them to chip further and want the surface to be flat), and then just wipe the whole thing down really well and brush lacquer it with a semi-matte lacquer. I thought of doing a full 2-part resin pour on it, but am not sure it would self-level around the grille--and am also worried that it would get so shiny that it would bounce a lot of light around, being placed near big windows, and it would be hard to see the lettering.

Finally, I wasn't actually planning on sanding this before lacquering, because I don't want to ruin the letters. Will this be OK? The door currently has its original finish on it.
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