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Some kids set my backyard on fire New Years Eve and it ended up melting my big resin table along with the 6 chairs that went with it. I used this table as a potting bench and I'm going to miss it terribly in about a month.
I was considering using a hollow core door on saw horses to replace it. I'd like some suggestions on the best way to seal it so it won't warp or disintegrate from rain. I don't think that water seal stuff you put on decks would be enough, or would it?
Regardless of what you coat it with, a hollow core door is going to warp and disintegrate outdoors. They're meant to be used on interiors. They're not even nailed together...they're just a flimsy pine frame covered with a veneer and it's all glued together. Any sizeable pot you place on top of it would probably just fall through as the only interior "supports' on said doors is corrugated cardboard.
For the same price, you could get a piece of plywood cut ( the type used for exterior purposes that's only "good on one side" ) to the size you want, then coat it with Thompsons water seal or some other type of sealer.
Hmm .. I knew that they had the corrugated cardboard inside .. I've cut one in half before, but thought sealing it would keep it from degrading. I use them indoors for my office and they have a good amount of weight on them and nothing has fallen through or even bent or warped in the last few years. They make exceptional, inexpensive work tables as far as I'm concerned.
I, too, use a hollow core door for a computer desk inside, but outside would expect the glue to give up within a year or two - especially with our humidity. And painting it with an exterior (or marine would be better) paint / varnish / urathane would add to the cost and maintenance, but would be the best bet for keeping it together.
Treated plywood would be my choice - let it dry for a few weeks - then paint with your choice of exterior finishes. Should last for many years.
I've thought about 3/4 inch plywood, but I'd have to attach some 2 x 4's underneath to keep it from sagging in the middle which would add to the weight and cost. At least with the door, sealed with marine varnish as ecrane suggested or perhaps polyurethane, it should last a year, maybe more. It won't be in blazing hot sun, but in the shade. And the added attraction is that it's something I can lift and haul around easily. Hopefully I'll find an actual table replacement on Craigs List before the door caves in.
I got my door from Home Depot - asked if they had any damaged doors - showed me several @ 1/2 price. Since I wanted it for a desk, I needed one side intact.
Craigslist may have a free door or other material you can use.
