We used to have a large picture top coffee table in the family that had family pictures covered by a thick coating of poly. I'm re-creating the same table and have questions on how to get the poly so thick. I've googled the question and have found special compounds that are more toward bar tops, which is the look I am going for, but the prices are very steep. Am I just going to have to go over the pictures with numerous coats of poly? I imagine that is going to take a lot of coats. The table I am using has a lip on it, so I thought about pouring the poly over the pictures and letting it dry for a week or so but I've read that thick coats can get bubbles in them. Then I would also have to make sure the table is absolutely level.
Any ideas??

Why don't you just put a glass top on the table with pics under. I don't think you can apply multiple coats of poly and have it dry properly, you may have a stickly mess. What you see on bar tops is an entirely different process.

Tick