Replies

1. 
   junkhound | Jun 08, 2004 07:11am | #1

   Would not write this here except for the pig stuck in the front truck grill joke a few weeks ago in a joke thread.......

   I'd keep the coppers off or even away from near the bar top, as businees is likely to decrease for fear of DUI apprehension? 

2. 
   jackplane | Jun 08, 2004 04:49pm | #2

   I wouldn't use anything because the constant cleaning and wiping will prevent oxidation; that's how I've seen it in bars with copper tops.

1. 
   ScottK | Jun 09, 2004 05:10am | #4

   Thanks JackPlane for the serious answer. Is there a chance it might turn patrons arms "green" from leaning on it or would that not be a problem if it was only for a short amount of contact?

1. 
   jackplane | Jun 09, 2004 03:36pm | #7

   No, it won't turn a patron's elbow green. As migraine said, there are some acid washes made for copper to use periodically.

2. 
   Frankie | Jun 09, 2004 05:30pm | #8

   Some of my favorite bars have copper tops. They do develop "water" stains but over time these add character. It's not supposed to behave like plastic or ceramic. Daily cleaning as you would a "regular" countertop is all that's needed, of course with the wiping during use of each customer. Once a year, depending on use, you can polish it.

   One's skin isn't acidic enough to turn the copper or the skin green for the short amount of time it's in contact. You may get the occassional fingerprint (not green though) but this is unlikely. It will develope its own patina over time.

   I think your biggest concern is to make the seams clean and inconspicuous. The single sheet should run from the outside (patron side of the bar) edge of the bar, into the pour shelf(?) (1/2" lowered area bartender's side of the bar), and end after the 90 degree turn down. No problem with a good break.

   F.

3. 
   JohnSprung | Jun 08, 2004 10:27pm | #3

   Some friends of mine used to have a place with a copper counter top.  Despite daily cleaning, it always showed watermarks from condensation on glasses, fingerprints etched by the acid from your hands, etc.  I love copper for roofing, but it's not a good choice for an everyday work surface.

   -- J.S.

4. 
   migraine | Jun 09, 2004 05:30am | #5

   There are many "acid" type finishes that can be applied to give a warm patina, and not necessarily a green patina.  Look for some books on metal finishing.  A friend of mine has pick up a few at Barnes and Noble(I think that's where he got them)

5. 
   arrowshooter | Jun 09, 2004 07:38am | #6

   First time I saw one of these was in the Playboy Club in New Orleans many years ago.

   Also many years ago I built myself a small bar in my basement and put a copper top on it It really looked great but before I got finished with the basement project one of the kids used the bar for a workbench to make something using a hot glue gun. When I tried to clean it off I made irreversible scratch marks which ruined it for me. I had to remove the copper and go with ceramic tile. (I used the copper to flash a chimney)

6. 
   bill_1010 | Jun 09, 2004 09:41pm | #9

   They make plastic laminate (formica, wilsonart etc) that has a metal foil under melamine. 

   Something to consider

1. 
   Sphere | Jun 10, 2004 03:07am | #10

   last I checked it was two times the cost of the real thing..fwiw 

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