Tiki Coffee Table

TIKI COFFEE TABLE 

1” PVC SCHEDULE 40

8 pcs 10”

4 pcs 8”

8 pcs 2”

1/2” PVC SHEET 30” round OR glass if you dare. I could see some of the drunk souls I hang out with crashing into a glass tabletop. Red Solo cups are plastic for a reason. 

2 cross fittings

8 x 3 way fittings 

Sand and apply acetone wipe to all PVC PIECES to remove lettering and open the pores to accept paint. Wear chemical proof gloves. 

BAMBOOZLE THE 1” pipe pieces. I use a propane torch on cuts that I make in various places on the pipe. I apply heat to turn the knuckles black. I also touch the PVC with the tip of the flame to gets browns and reds in various locations to add character. I keep a 10’ stick of 1” PVC already bamboozled at all times in case inspiration strikes. I use it for tiki torch holders, Tiki signage legs, trash bag holders, generator weather hut, the list is endless. 

Keep the cuts for the knuckles at least 1.5” from the ends of the pieces to facilitate fitment into the crosses and 3 ways. 

DO NOT BREATH THE VAPORS OFF OF HOT PVC MATERIAL. THIS IS DEADLY. DO THIS ONLY IN A WELL VENTILATED AREA. 

I then apply 2 thin coats of amber shellac. This gives me the bamboo brown I’m looking for. You can apply clear lacquer spray in flat or gloss depending on your politics. This also helps protect the shellac. 

Paint the fittings. I used Kryton Fusion spray paint for plastics in LIME. They also have other tropical colors. 

My PVC sheet material was blank on one side and wood grain on the other. Available at big box home stores. Starboard that they use for boat furniture should work but all of it I have seen is mucho dinero. I am sure it has to be for marine applications but I am confident PVC sheet material will work for this. 

After cutting out a 30” round piece, I used a 1.5” Forsner bit to cut 4 round recesses for the table legs to interlock into. This prevents the table top from moving around while still allowing the project to be knocked down into pieces to facilitate moving in my camper. Just remember you are drilling into one half inch thick material so don’t drill thru. You could also use rings cut off of 1.5” pipe and glued to the tabletop to index the legs. 

I am still looking at doing the tabletop with Unicorn Spit or a printed vinyl wrap or a bunch of racing stickers with a clear vinyl wrap. 

Assembled with a rubber mallet. Can be twisted and pulled apart for transport. 

I use this along with my PVC TIKI BAR at dirt track races while camping. Also suitable for Jimmy Buffett or Kenny Chesney tailgate parties. Also fits right in to country music festivals, Margaritaville RV Resorts and other low brow functions. 

I had less than $50 in this project. If you can source scrap pvc pipe or sheet from construction sites or contractors you may know, the price drops incredibly. 

Here is a glass top version built by someone else.