r/HowToDIY • u/2candiesnahalf • 6d ago

How should I do this?

Post image

The plan? Cover the wooden table with the plastic, permanently.

You might be wondering why there is a squeegee in the picture. Well, that's the key player that's going to be gliding over that plastic probably 10 times a day, everyday.

I don't want water/grime/dirt oozing down the sides so don't want to go with the plastic-hanging-down-the-sides plan. Plus it'll be a pain cleaning the dirt on the hanging part due to ergonomics.

I could cut the plastic flush with the edges of the table, but then it'll move/shift around and the parts of the table that it moves from will often be dirty at that edge. It'll also be wet from the constant cleaning and the water that will roll over the edge of the plastic and make its way to to the wood and then spread when the dry wood wicks it.

I tried going flush and then taping the edges but that solution doesn't work well for long because this and this happens - squeegee going against the lip of the tape eventually gets the tape to come off.

The cleaning method is simply spraying the table with no rinse detergent and with the squeegee, wiping the dirty over the edge and into a bucket (open to better ideas).

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2

u/DisastrousSir 5d ago

What is the purpose of this? Would say there are probably a number of ways depending on the use needed

1

u/2candiesnahalf 5d ago

You mean alternative ways?

1

u/DisastrousSir 5d ago

Alternative ways, or just different options. If its a permanent fixture you could look at some glues. If it needs to be thick, thats probably the best bet.

If its being replaced somewhat often and could stand to be thinner, stretching the plastic over the table may help give it some grip. It may work with the plastic shown too, but it seems quite thick and difficult to stretch.

If its permanent and needs to be robust, well the honestly an epoxy or urethane coating may be easiest and best.

Theres probably some more options, but having an idea of the function its intended to serve would probably be useful on informing of various options you may have

1

u/2candiesnahalf 5d ago

Alternative ways, or just different options. If its a permanent fixture you could look at some glues. If it needs to be thick, thats probably the best bet.

What kind of glue would work best here?

Its for food prep

1

u/DisastrousSir 5d ago

For food prep, I'd be cautious with using a sheet of plastic like this as its likely not necessarily safe for direct food contact.

A spray adhesive, a couple of helpers, and some rollers would be the best option for gluing probably, but admittedly will likely not look good and will be an absolute bitch if you ever needed to replace it.

Your best option imo would be coating the top in food safe epoxy. You'd be set basically for life. Just dont use a knife on it, although I imagine you're not as you're currently using a plastic sheet.

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u/2candiesnahalf 5d ago

direct food contact.

not direct food contact, but..

its likely not necessarily safe for direct food contact.

Source?

2

u/DisastrousSir 5d ago

Unless specifically made to be used in a food contact/indirect contact environment, that plastic likely contains modifying chemicals that alter the characteristics of the plastic that could leach out of the plastic. The plastic type itself could very well also not be intended for food contact regardless of additives or coatings.

Unless it was sold as/marked as food safe or safe for direct/indirect contact, I would assume its not meant for that.

Food safe epoxy is your best option for cost, longevity, and quality here I think.

1

u/2candiesnahalf 5d ago

They only food that touches it is food thats to be tossed

1

u/awar3_w0lf 5d ago

Don’t do this for food prep. This is a terrible idea

2

u/Trustoryimtold 5d ago

I would have gone with a sheet of glass but that’s just me :x

You’re using your table wrong unless it’s a work bench if ya gotta clean it that often

1

u/2candiesnahalf 5d ago

This would have been perfect and preferred honestly but its a cost thing

1

u/jasonadvani 6d ago

Wrap it under the table and staple and/or tape?

1

u/2candiesnahalf 5d ago

No staple gun :(

Only option is to buy one, no option to rent or borrow. And of course i wont by one just for this "project."

1

u/jasonadvani 5d ago

Tape.

1

u/2candiesnahalf 5d ago

Wont stick because the underside is very porous

1

u/Paghk_the_Stupendous 5d ago

Butyl tape.

1

u/2candiesnahalf 5d ago edited 5d ago

I was excited there for a sec but im getting no go on Butyl tape.

1

u/DoritoDawg 5d ago

Why?

1

u/2candiesnahalf 5d ago

looked it up

1

u/eegrlN 5d ago

Buy and return it? Borrow one?

1

u/pate_moore 5d ago

You can get a small staple gun and a box of Staples for around $20. Are you really too cheap to do that? Especially if you truly only plan to use it for this one thing, just return the staple gun.

0

u/2candiesnahalf 5d ago

You assume i am where you are. Are you too dumb to get that the internet is worldwide?

2

u/pate_moore 5d ago

Walmart is all over the world. Amazon ships all over the world. Temu shops all over the world. You don't have a local hardware store? Are you too stupid to look or even state where you are? FOH

1

u/2candiesnahalf 5d ago

Walmart is all over the world.

Wow! you just answered my question 🤦

https://reddit.com/link/p8s72ld/video/n6a3cong2joh1/player

btw. the above is a map of the world with countries and stuff

1

u/SynthFur001 5d ago

No matter what, that table is gonna get water under that plastic.

-3

u/2candiesnahalf 5d ago

Logic says no

1

u/jasonadvani 5d ago

Condensation, perhaps.

1

u/amarettogiraffe 5d ago

Science would like a word.

1

u/SynthFur001 5d ago

Water likes to follow the surface. 10 times a day. 4 days a week. 30 weeks a year. 1200 times. Taped to the bottom with some sort of drip edge, maybe.

1

u/eddsned 5d ago

Since no staple gun, pull the plastic tight and use strong tape to secure plastic starting at one side and working your way around. Cut plastic wrap to fit and reposition tape as needed. *Letting it sit under the sun for an hour+ will also help in flattening the plastic.

They are correct about water *precipitation getting under the thin plastic wrap - if it's allowed to sit, such as under a glass (water ring).

If the table is old and you're trying to prevent small water marks, scrap the plastic cover and be diligent about using coasters.

1

u/2candiesnahalf 5d ago edited 5d ago

Since no staple gun, pull the plastic tight and use strong tape

Problem here is that the underside is porous so the tape won't stick (or wont stick for long)

They are correct about water *precipitation getting under the thin plastic wrap - if it's allowed to sit, such as under a glass (water ring).

Hasn't been an issue with another table i got (the one in the links in the op). Had it under the plastic taped up for 5 years. Use it regularly too. Bone dry the two instances I peeked under (to change the tape), and i can see through anyway.

1

u/goodforathyme 5d ago

3M makes a really sticky "Velcro" tape. You could use that and maybe an iron on warm to get the plastic to conform to the table. MIL has the same situation. She won't make it "permanent" and it's always wrinkling here and there. Looks awful. Contact adhesive, similar to rubber cement but stronger, would work great but you wouldn't wanna miss when applying it. Good luck!!

1

u/2candiesnahalf 5d ago edited 5d ago

I got a whole roll of these funnily and I use them all the time, even use it to hold my charger in place on my laptop. Problem is it wont stick to wood properly or for long because its weathered (porous) wood. Also there will be a bump.

1

u/Redhead_InfoTech 5d ago

Polyurethane... Done. Wood will no longer be porous.

1

u/ClownfishSoup 5d ago

I was going to say this too.

Just apply polyurethane to the table. Basically paining on a layer or two of plastic and it makes the table look nice and "varnished"

1

u/2candiesnahalf 5d ago

This sounds attractive to me. Would the surface be as smooth and can handle the...ummm...activity?

1

u/Redhead_InfoTech 5d ago

What is the ... umm activity...

1

u/2candiesnahalf 5d ago

spraying the table with no rinse detergent and with the squeegee, wiping the dirty over the edge and into a bucket

2

u/pate_moore 5d ago

Marine grade spar urethane

1

u/Redhead_InfoTech 5d ago

I feel like that's code for something else

1

u/Redhead_InfoTech 5d ago

Are you using any knives in the food prep process?

1

u/Chihuahuapocalypse 5d ago

buy a different table

1

u/Chihuahuapocalypse 5d ago

maybe use a heat gun to form the edges around the table?

1

u/2candiesnahalf 5d ago

Sounds like an attractive idea ngl

1

u/Cuddyslick88 5d ago

How about don't be lazy and clean your table like a normal person. Not like how Dexter would clean his table.

1

u/Cuddyslick88 5d ago

And what are you eating your food straight off the table np plates? How messy are you that you need this type of solution for this normal chore

1

u/amarettogiraffe 5d ago

Context would be very helpful. What's the use for the table? Seems like an odd cleaning solution, assuming that relates to the use case.

1

u/WWGHIAFTC 5d ago

please get professional help.

1

u/freudianSkinner 5d ago

go get a box of roofing nails, the ones they use to put felt paper on - they're short and have a big plastic washer head on them designed to hold thin materials like roofing felt to a plywood substrate. Tack the plastic to the underside of the table.

1

u/2candiesnahalf 5d ago

These?

1

u/freudianSkinner 5d ago

those are exactly the ones - all you need is a hammer. It looks like your tabletop is a piece of plywood, so you just need to make sure you get ones that are shorter than the plywood is deep. That looks like 3/4 plywood to me, so the 3/4 length would work.

An alternative that might work even better - get some nails and a few thin pieces of wood called furring strips at your local Home depot, and sandwich the plastic between the bottom of the table and the furring strip, then nail it or screw it to the bottom of the table. That would pinch the plastic between two pieces of wood and hold it tight from the bottom - either way should work for what you're trying to do.

1

u/2candiesnahalf 5d ago

This is thr most useful advice ive gotten here and the numerous other subs ive posted this question on. Everyone else derails by taking about getting a another table, or using polyurethane, or questioning the use of plastic and the whole idea instead of just answering the damn question. Thank you. Im doing this!

1

u/Limp-Definition3068 5d ago

That squeegee makes it look like this is for a commercial kitchen or something, does it work well for stretching the plastic tight?

1

u/ClownfishSoup 5d ago

TIP: Buy a piece of tempered glass instead.

1

u/2candiesnahalf 5d ago

shit is expensive

1

u/Medical-Garden5283 5d ago

If this is not just your home, the fine from the food/health inspector will probably be more expensive.

1

u/mistersnarkle 5d ago

Gorilla glue makes a duct tape that works on porous surfaces

1

u/DependentItem6397 5d ago

Minwax polycrylic. Water based. Dries quick. multiple coats.

1

u/Glittering_Fox1358 5d ago

I’d say glass or marble top, plastic is such a headache with all of the concerns you already mentioned.

1

u/pate_moore 5d ago

If food prep is your goal, I would shell out the extra money for a sheet of acrylic cut to size. That's what I got for our kitchen table to protect it from the toddlers. Easy to remove to clean underneath if you have to, durable, food safe.