Return of the Blogger (A.K.A Comic Book Table Tutorial)

Hello again everyone, it has been quite some time since I have posted anything on my blog (a couple months at least) and I'm not going to make any excuses for my sudden lack of blog post because when it comes right down to it I was probably just being lazy. Now I know not many people know of my blog and even less were probably following it but I want to thank those of you who were. Also I'm really going to try to keep posting things on a regular basis mostly because this is something I enjoy doing and I really like sharing all of the projects that I do with everyone who follows my blog. While I was ignoring my blog over the last couple months I really started to enjoy cooking a lot more and have been trying out a lot of new recipes that I intend to share on here, as well as, sharing new ones with everyone when I find them. Another thing that I have been working on is my guitar playing. I've been working hard to get my chops up and have also been trying to write my own songs which I might decide to post on here when I  get them finished and can figure out how to record videos of myself playing guitar that don't have horrible sound quality and as soon as I figure that out I would really like to put up some videos of the covers that I've been working on as well. One more thing I'd like to say before I start this tutorial (and this actually relates to the tutorial) is that The Avengers is probably one of the best movies that I have ever seen and if you have not seen it and you are a fan of Marvel, comics, or awesome movies you really need to go see this movie.

Okay without further ado, I give you the
 
Comic Book Table Tutorial
Disclaimer: This is not something I came up with all credit for this project go to MrDic at instructables.com (http://www.instructables.com/id/DC-Comic-Coffee-Table/).

I am just taking his idea and expanding it into an actual tutorial and explaining things a little bit more.

1. Gather Your Materials

    1-Table (I used a Lack Side Table from Ikea that cost about $8)

    1-Can of RUST-Oleum clear gloss spray paint

    1-Can of Polyurethane (I used Minwax Clear Gloss Polyurethane) 

    1-220 grit piece of sandpaper or a sanding block
    1 or 2-Glue Sticks
    1-Credit Card
    Couple of comic books (the number of pages you use will vary based on the size of your table)

2. Dismantle The Comic Books
     To do this I just opened the comic to the center page and using a flat head screwdriver or pair of pliers I  unfolded the staples that hold the pages together and removed them. After that I very carefully tore the pages down the center crease, but you could use a paper cutter if you wanted. Also it's entirely up to you as to whether you want to stick with one character on your tables (as I did in both of the ones I've made so far) or do a couple different characters on your table.

3. Measure Twice...
    You will need to measure your table top and measure your comic pages and then crunch some numbers to figure out how many pages will fit on your table. After you get all that figured out mark out your area using masking tape.

4. Time To Glue
    Lay your comic pages out on the table and figure out how you want them arranged. Once you have them where you want them I recommend that you take a picture of the arrangement so you don't forget where they go. After you take the picture remove the comic pages from the table and grab your glue stick. Starting with a corner you will want to rub glue onto enough of the table to fit one comic page. When you get the glue down carefully place your page on the table and smooth it out with the edge of a credit card and then repeat this process with the rest of your pages.

5. Defend The Comics
    After all of your pages are glued down you will want to grab the clear gloss spary and following the instructions on the can spray a couple coats over the top of your table.

6. It's All Starting To Come Together
     Once the gloss spray paint has dried you ready to lacquer the crap out of your table. Again follow the instructions on the can of polyurethane and put a couple coats over the table. I would recommend that you use at least three coats of polyurethane. After each coat dries, which takes about three hours, you need to vary lightly sand the table using the 220 grit sandpaper (though I don' think you need to sand after the final coat dries).


If anyone decides to do this I would really like to see how yours turns out so feel free to leave a response with your comic table in it.

May the force be with you.
Dylan