I have a large piece of 2" thick cherry that a client brought to me they want me to spray clear lacquer on it. Its going to be a bar top. The piece has a large natural split in it I guess is the best way to describe it, it is sort of all black along the edges of it real pretty they want me to finish it and not cover up this beauty but I need it filled it is 3/4" in spots. Question is do I use that epoxy clear finish to fill void and than lacquer or do you know any other choice I have. And will the lacquer bond to the Epoxy? Thanks

Forget the crack, traditional lacquer is a very poor finish for a bar top.

The crack after looking at it again is only 3/8" wide and about 18" long. What type finish would you recommend I use Lacquer on all my cabinets don't usually finish the tops.

fill with epoxy. Use a torch to draw out air bubbles. finish with polyurethane.

I tint the epoxy black with a little graphite powder. For some reason if the crack is black it is less visable.

Tinted epoxy is a good way to go. Heat works as well, though I typically allow the epoxy to set up a bit and add more - even if bubbles occur, one can come back when epoxy is fully set and add more. West system is what i have used.
Re finish: polyester as sealer - if a pigment stain is used you will need a barrier coat/isolante before polyester, making sure to fully seal bottom as well for balance. Top coat with 2PK.

Do you know if I can get just a qt. Of the epoxy or do I have to buy a gallon?

Shenendoah has the correct program for the cherry top. Follow the instructions.

Is Polyester a sealer that you use under Polyurethane? I will not be using a tint. I do believe I will fill crack a little over half and then come back and cap off. Will it be necessary to heat out the bubbles on the first pour? One other question I have a couple more cracks on the ends. What would you use on the ends to keep the epoxy from running out while pouring?

Why not put a piece of Cherry in the cracks?

Well Robert that would be the simplest but it has a lot of black dow in it and on the edges and the year want it to show up when finished.

Robert
On second thought I can take a router and clean up those splits on the ends and glue in a 1" plug thanks I will get started this weekend.

Hi Chris, I was going to say that you could leave some of that Black edging which would look good, and then insert a piece of Cherry in the area you routed out.

On a side note, I think rich c had a valid point about using a Lacquer on a Bar Top.
For longevity, I would rethink your choice of coatings. Lacquers aint what they used to be, and unfortunately wont hold up to Johnny Walker.

If you get a chance, post up some photos of the project. Cheers

Aside from how to finish the top, often you see a butterfly(s) inlaid to give some strength to the crack, to stabilize it and to prevent it from getting any larger.

Yes Howard I have seen that and I believe that to be a good ideal . But I have done cut me a wedge and glued in the end and glued a couple 1/2" dowels through the cracks to keep them from separating. Thanks for all the input.