Capping/sealing workbench ends

[maverick302]

I just put a new top on my workbench. It’s 2 layers of 3/4” particle board skinned with 20ga stainless. I’m pondering what to do to cap the sides. I had intended to leave them bare but once I got it in place and saw it I decided to look into finishing them. I just want to protect it from spills, greasy hands, etc and be more cosmetically finished looking. It doesn’t need to be pretty but it can’t be ugly. I was thinking anything from edge banding and pu, to fiberglass, to a skim coat of spackle and good paint.

What would you recommend and why?

 

[sixty4]

I would go with your idea of painting and sealing personally. I would match the color of the cabinets and call it done.

 

[PoorOwner]

1.5" strip of stainless?

 

[alcorelli]

Get some stainless and cap the edges.

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[el monte slim]

Paint the exposed particle board in the color of your choice to seal out moisture, then screw mount a horizontal stacked pair of 3/4" x 18" magnetic tool holders to each end of the workbench top. This will cover most of the exposed surface area, and will double up the magnetic holding power for hanging tools at each end. You could also choose to offset the horizontal stacked pairs in order to have the magnets span the full depth of the workbench top.

These are only $4 each at Harbor Freight, and are periodically free with a coupon:

https://www.harborfreight.com/18-in-magnetic-tool-holder-62178.html

http://www.hfqpdb.com/best_coupon/18"+MAGNETIC+TOOL+HOLDER

 

[Stuart in MN]

1.5" strip of stainless?

Do this. File to fit, glue in place.

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]

It’s proably over kill for your project. But I was able to source some Formica/Arborite type product with a light coating of Stainless Steel. Tough on blades but looks good.

 

[maverick302]

1.5" strip of stainless?

Get some stainless and cap the edges.

Sent from my SM-T837P using Tapatalk

Do this. File to fit, glue in place.

I've got leftover stainless I could do this with. What would you recommend I treat the seams with? Small bead of clear caulk just to seal it and cover the sharp edges?

 

[1MtnGoat]

You can buy a tube of aluminum colored caulk and seal the joints after attaching the stainless caps. I don't remember which one but either Lowes or Home Depot sells it.

 

[el monte slim]

I've got leftover stainless I could do this with. What would you recommend I treat the seams with? Small bead of clear caulk just to seal it and cover the sharp edges?

No, radius the sharp edge slightly with a mill ******* hand file.

 

[rattle_snake]

You can use 1.5" angle under the 20ga to cover the ends. Router to countersink the angle by it's thickness.

 

[rsanter]

Personally if it was me I would use a stainless strip and have it TIG welded in place.

If you can do that, my next choice would be to bend the stainless in a squared U shape to fit over the wood. You will have to relieve the wood on the top so it will still be flush

 

[rharman]

Or, undermount 1-1/2" aluminum angle. You could use some filler on the top edge for a cleaner finish.