Any practical ideas for mimic retro porcelain enamel table top?

11 years ago

So, if I do this bumpout plan, I get an island. I'll also get a nook with a compact banquette. That means two extra surfaces to cover.

For one of them, I was wondering if there is any way to mimic a porcelain enamel table top like these:

A few thoughts:

- You'll notice some of these are almost faux bois. Well, I could use real wood--only the edge would need painting. But I would need a lighter wood than I'd otherwise prefer, and also have to seal it.

- For the island, I probably could not do an elaborate pattern, since it has a prep sink in it

- The most important part is the edge detail. Perhaps it could be powdercoated if the stripe around the edge is the only design?

- If we paint the design on wood, I have no idea how to seal it durably enough. Waterlox can't go over latex, so oil would be needed. Poured bar top epoxy shows scratches and stains.

Anybody done anything like this?

Featured Answer

ghostlyvision

11 years ago

I think you can do a reasonable facsimile on wood, I did this as a temporary countertop with birch plywood using the Clark + Kensington flat enamel paint (3 coats), Behr faux glaze mixed with craft paints for the gingham stripes and 4 coats of oil-based poly. The edge trim only has the enamel paint on it and no troubles using the poly over it.

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Comments (10)

deedles
11 years ago
Would your table top in the nook be of a size that you could use an old enamel top in good condition? That'd be pretty nifty.

I had researched Waaayyyyy back when I started this kitchen planning and I contacted IPE to see if they could make an enamel top for a peninsula...they do a lot of the old chambers stove panels for people on another forum and as I remember, folks over there were happy with the finished product.
Anyway here is the operative line from his email response to my inquiry:
"We have made counter tops out of 16 gauge enameling steel and porcelain enameled them. The biggest piece we could do would be 3' W x 8' L."

Not sure about the decorative stuff but it might be worth asking....

Here is a link that might be useful: IPE
User
11 years ago
You might have a metal fabricator fabricate you a stainless counter (with integral sink) and then have it powder coated in a simple pattern. If it's good enough for high heat engine parts, it should be good enough for counter usage. The only trouble might be finding someone skilled enough. I'd try the yellow pages first, and then look for some local auto restorer clubs or hotrod clubs and ask them who they use. If the powder coating doesn't pan out, you can always have it shot in Imron, which is a polyurethane automobile enamel that is as though as nails and as expensive as hell (for paint). It still won't be a patch on what a Lavastone counter would cost, but it won't be the cheapest part of your reno.
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lavender_lass
11 years ago
No, but I thought you might like this link :)

Here is a link that might be useful: Link to vintage tables
marcolo
Original Author
11 years ago
Wow, LL. Anybody in PA with a truck and a taste for larceny?

Some great ideas here. Always more research!
onedogedie
11 years ago
Here's a 1930's kitchen where the counters appear to be enameled porcelain. Follow the link to see more pictures from the house. As the website author asks, "Makes me wonder if it could be the original 1930Ã¢ÂÂ²s kitchen or just a replica."

Here is a link that might be useful: old house listing
marcolo
Original Author
11 years ago
What a fantastic house and kitchen!

BTW I've punted on the porcelain enamel look. Way too many issues. There is a slim chance I might repurpose one for the breakfast nook table, but only a slim chance.
localeater
11 years ago
Gosh marcolo, if you are interested for the nook these are always on craigslist where I am (maine). Lots of folks call them 'camp' tables
chesters_house_gw
11 years ago
Geez -- if you're able to repurpose an existing table and want yellow and green as in your picture, let me know. I picked mine up on Craiglist and used it as an office table. It's a bit big for the spot, so it catches passing clutter. I've been planning on retiring it. Those colors, that pattern, with two flip up extensions.
It's in upstate NY, about 2.5/3 hours out of Boston.
ghostlyvision
11 years ago
Colorful formica tables are also retro Marcolo, I know it's not what you're going for exactly, but you could probably design a really nifty tabletop using sheet formica in retro colors:

Here is a link that might be useful:

Any practical ideas for mimic retro porcelain enamel table top?

ghostlyvision

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deedles

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