Posted: 6/30/2007 9:01:37 AM EDT
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MDF is thirsty stuff. I've got three coats of a polyurethane stain on one of my workbench tops so far, and it just keeps soaking up coat number 4, although slower this time. I figure it'll take at least two more coats to get it looking really nice. Anyone else have similar luck? Anyone have tips for things to do differently? |
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I make heavy duty tops using 2x lumber and 3/8 ply. I rip flat cut 2x (usually 8s) into 1.5 wide strips and turn them 90 degrees to make quarter sawn. Glue up the strips. Glue a sheet of 3/8 ply onto both sides. Run a bearing trim bit to get the ply flush with the wood on all 4 sides (may need to turn it over if the bit is short). Apply some edging cut from 2x stock (2.25 wide strip ripped to 0.5 inch thick) to the sides. Finish as desired. |
Thats similar to my garage / shop workbenches, except I just use 2x4s on edge and 1/2" plywood. Its overkill, but I'll never worry about overloading it. This one's for the office and will be used mostly for chainmaille and gun cleaning, and came with the workbench kit. There was, a while back, a photo of someone's reloading bench using the same kobalt workbench I've got, with a stained top, which looked really nice. I figure another coat or two and mine should be good, I just wish it went faster, thats all. 
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The whole point is to end up with a polyurethane layer over it to keep the MDF from having issues with spills, etc. Maybe its just the 1" thick stuff that came with it, but this particular piece isn't having any issues, other than soaking the stain and polyurethane in for the first couple of coats to get it sealed. |
| You might try a bar top finish. I am not sure what the name is but i have used it and it works great on regular wood. You can get it at Ace and i am sure you can get it at Lowes or Home Depot. It goes on extra thick and you have to work the air bubbles out of it, it's harder to work with than regular poly. When your done you have about a 1/4 inch thick poly finish on it. It is oil based so you should be good to go there. It comes in a 2 part kit and is kinda high but it will last forever if applied correctly. I have only used it once and that was several years ago so i am not too keen on the details, but every one that i talked to called it a "bar top finish". |