Epoxy coating steel workbench top

[AmericanMechanic]

Hi, anyone have experience with an epoxy-coated steel work surface? Wondering how it might hold up to heavy work, welding, etc. Would like to have something like a light gray or white, but anything that would stay rust-free and be easy to keep clean would be awesome!

 

[RTM]

We used it on floors at my last place, and certain brands would actually burn from weld spatter. Don’t know what has changed in twenty years.

 

[matt_i]

One issue is that most epoxies are nonconductive. So you can't just toss a part on the bench and weld on it. No problem for a big tube frame but if you're trying to fix a hub on a 1" OD gear then it could be, trying to get the ground clamp on that.

I would also worry about hammering anything on it.

For some numbers...epoxy is around a 5000 psi tensile substance while steel is minimum 36,000psi and usually more these days.

 

[Mr_B]

i wouldn't consider it
natural finish with a oil or wax & put it to work .