Finish for workbench

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Finish for workbench

Posted: 10/10/2014 7:46:36 PM EDT

I just made my workbench and topped it with pine plywood. Do I need to put a finish on it to protect it from solvents? Any recommendations?

Thanks,
Dan

Posted: 10/10/2014 9:19:26 PM EDT

[#1]

At the very least, multiple (thin) coats of paint. Wipe up the mess as soon as you make it. Add a paper towel holder as well.

A carpenter I know covered his with Formica (sp). Mine is cheap ass zinc coated sheet metal

Posted: 10/11/2014 9:21:59 AM EDT

[#2]

Polyurethane. Like used on bar tops. Follow directions on can. Spray on is better, but brush on will do the job. LET IT CURE before you start to use it. Big mistake is for it not to be cured, work on it, chemicals strip off coating=you sand and redo. Speaking from experience.

Posted: 10/11/2014 2:00:44 PM EDT

[#3]

I am a cabinetmaker by trade, I would look into some of the new finishes they make for shop floors at the least. A better option would be a piece of laminate. Most cabinet shops will have a supply of pieces they aren't going to use and you can get them cheap. I have a 3" thick solid maple butcher block 30" x8ft that I have used for the last 20 years and still looks new, but it isn't for sale.

Posted: 10/11/2014 10:00:31 PM EDT

[#4]

My bench is a solid core door with a 3/4 particle board top.
Finished the top with 4 coats of MinWax Polyurethane.
Indestructible, scorched it on one corner welding an aluminum swing arm but otherwise after 7 years it is still as solid as the day I did it.
I use a rectangle of peel and stick in/outdoor carpet for the brunt of the working surface.

Posted: 10/11/2014 10:20:57 PM EDT

[#5]

I'd go with polyurethane too. Cheap and effective.

Posted: 10/11/2014 10:44:30 PM EDT

[#6]

Mine is topped with a leftover piece of Gym Floor. 3/8ths thick, hard, but flexible rubber. Beat it, spill on it, its impervious. Made to drop barbells on.

Posted: 10/11/2014 10:59:35 PM EDT

[#7]

Mine bench top (solid core door) has several coats of polyurethane on it. Held up very well lo these last 18 years.

Posted: 10/12/2014 7:44:50 PM EDT

[#8]

After I built my workbench I put a 1/4" piece of plywood on top and screwed it down around the edges. This allows me to remove and replace the relatively cheap 1/4" plywood top if it becomes dinged/chipped/stained. I have replace it 2 or three times in the last 6 years.

Posted: 10/12/2014 9:04:51 PM EDT

[#9]

Thanks for all of the suggestions! I went with some minwax polyurethane. Put 3 coats on today and will probably put another 2 on tomorrow.

Posted: 10/12/2014 10:45:03 PM EDT

[#10]

Quote History

Quoted:
Thanks for all of the suggestions! I went with some minwax polyurethane. Put 3 coats on today and will probably put another 2 on tomorrow.

View Quote

Put it on until it will not soak anymore into the top. Sand it with 120 orbital and give it one last coat.

Posted: 10/13/2014 9:25:03 AM EDT

[#11]

I covered mine with Brownells acraglas

Posted: 10/13/2014 2:01:06 PM EDT

[#12]

Quote History

Quoted:
I covered mine with Brownells acraglas

View Quote

That's an expensive finish!

Posted: 10/13/2014 9:47:18 PM EDT

[#13]

I have 3 benches. 1 is 8'x2' and has a 2'x2' "L" at one end, 2nd is 4'x6' that sit in middle of shop, and 3rd one is 8'x2' sitting against opposite wall of first one. All are made of 2" maple chopping block and finished with poly. Bases are 2"x2"x .100" wall steel tubing. They take everything I throw at them and still look great.

Posted: 10/30/2014 12:56:35 PM EDT

[#14]

Counter top.

Posted: 11/8/2014 5:08:52 PM EDT

[#15]

I covered one of my benches with some peel and stick floor tiles. I got them for free. Had enough surplus to replace anything I damage. They have worked for about three years.

Posted: 11/21/2014 5:38:23 PM EDT

[#16]

To properly finish it, you need a big BFL decal, topped with clear epoxy

Posted: 11/21/2014 6:02:50 PM EDT

[#17]

Quote History

Quoted:
To properly finish it, you need a big BFL decal, topped with clear epoxy

View Quote

I like it.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Finish for workbench

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