container/site/content/posts/2026-01-22-server-top/index.md

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+categories = ["build"]
+date = 2026-01-22T20:00:00Z
+description = ""
+draft = false
+slug = "2026-01-22-server-top"
+title = "🔝 Server Top"
+author = "nicholas"
++++
+
+I used a piece of plywood to cover the void of the server rack. Its purpose is to enable me to place things atop it. I must remind myself of this singular purpose to cope with its ugliness.
+
+The stain looked great, then I completely ruined the look by encasing it in a thick layer of polyurethane plastic. Now it has a wet-looking orange glow to it, and probably sheds a trillion microplastic particles into the air each day. I am a little ashamed of the decision, but life goes on and the finish is totally inconsequential to the tabletop's stated purpose.
+
+I picked out a nice-looking piece at Home Depot, and had someone cut it to size for me. Then I sanded the edges to give them each a small radius, sanded the surface, vacuumed and wiped it totally clean for staining. But then I found some leftover PU and some painting pyramids and thought "why not"? I placed the plywood on top of the pyramids and slapped on several layers of way-too-thick oil-based PU with a PU foam brush. It was old and partially cured PU, impossible to apply in thin coats and hard to handle, but it did not stop me and probably should have.
+
+---
+
+{{< image 
+    src="images/server-top-raw.jpg" 
+    caption="Plywood cut to size" >}}
+
+{{< image 
+    src="images/server-top-stained.jpg" 
+    caption="Plywood stained" >}}
+
+{{< image 
+    src="images/server-top-complete.JPG" 
+    caption="Finished top" >}}
+
+I am not totally unhappy with result but I could have done better. The look is competitive with the default raw, dull yellow surface finish at least. 👍
+
+✅ Done.