allinon72
Well-known member
I can't decide how to finish my workbench off. I'm considering just poly or flat gray, but I want something that will match the wall theme.
How would you finish this workbench?
- Thread starter allinon72
- Start date
ratdoggy
Well-known member
Paint the whole thing gray
softailgarage
Well-known member
wrap both in the new stainless steel peel & stick
softailgarage
Well-known member
Dan in Pasadena
Well-known member
I'd paint the base gray to match & either leave the top naked or possibly cover it with 1/8" hardboard (so you can change it once dirty) held down with a perimeter aluminum angle that will pick up your gray/blue color scheme.
softailgarage
Well-known member
correction... wrap the shelf & bench cabinet doors.
StarWolve
Well-known member
If you're really going to work on it - paint it a color that can be easily touched up, and where small parts won't blend in. Also, since I don't like small parts rolling off the bench, and you already have the diamond plate light - what I would do is get some diamond plate trim and attach it to the sides and front edge of the workbench. Small parts would hit the "lip" that the trim makes, and not roll off. I did the same thing on my rolling work table, but used plain aluminum trim instead of diamond plate.
http://www.awdirect.com/diamond-plate-aluminum-trim-2quoth-x-2quotw-x-4l-1701951/aluminum-trim/
http://www.awdirect.com/diamond-plate-aluminum-trim-2quoth-x-2quotw-x-4l-1701951/aluminum-trim/
Krash Kadillak
Well-known member
Since the framework 'shows', You might also want to put a sheet of 1/8 ply on the underside of the shelf, paint it white (or gray).
Mmfh
MEMBER EMERITUS
What about painting the bench to match the gray on the walls, then paint the doors on the bench the blue strip color that is on the wall. Then bring some more diamond trim like the light into a backsplash. 4" diamond plate around the back of the bench up against the wall.
I think I'd paint it to match the stripe.
slopecarver
Well-known member
I'd paint the bench grey and the shelf white. I'd also add some baseboard trim around the bottom as to not see how off-level the floor is. Trim the bottom of the baseboard so that the top is level all the way around.
jsaw
Well-known member
Yup Gray , Nice bench by the way!
I painted my workbench black so it wouldn't show the dirt/grime. You could paint the top of yours black and the rest gray like your wall color.
JC23
Well-known member
Flames and pinstriping.
But that's just me...
But that's just me...
bad_idea
Well-known member
Paint the bench frame the same color as your tool chest. Stain the top of the bench, painted work tops get gross and stay gross.
Rust
Banned
Chevy orange
Ford blue...duh
ferrari red
gto judge orange
harley davidson orange and black
snap-on green
yellow road paint
thats a nice little bench and deserves better than just grey...but thats just me...
Ford blue...duh
ferrari red
gto judge orange
harley davidson orange and black
snap-on green
yellow road paint
thats a nice little bench and deserves better than just grey...but thats just me...
brslk
Banned
Very nice bench. Looks good and solid.
I vote for gray.
I was also going to suggest you paint the top and door trim to match the stripe but realized this is getting much too metro-******
Gray.
Bruce.
I vote for gray.
I was also going to suggest you paint the top and door trim to match the stripe but realized this is getting much too metro-******
Gray.
Bruce.
John in OH
Well-known member
Nice color scheme you've got going there. Can't tell for sure from the photo if the upper portion of the wall is pure white or a white with a blue tint, but I guess it doesn't really matter.
As Krash suggests, cover the underside of the shelf to hide the framing and paint the entire shelf to match the upper wall color. Bench dark grey to match lower wall and doors blue to match trim line. Cover benchtop with replaceable MDF or hardboard and leave unfinished.
As Krash suggests, cover the underside of the shelf to hide the framing and paint the entire shelf to match the upper wall color. Bench dark grey to match lower wall and doors blue to match trim line. Cover benchtop with replaceable MDF or hardboard and leave unfinished.
70redbee
Well-known member
Paint the bottom and top of the shelf white to brighten it up.
Paint the shelf face with stripe color.
Paint the work bench faces stripe color.
Paint the workbench doors the color of your toolbox.
Workbench top just oil and rub---it's gonna get oily anyway.
Paint the shelf face with stripe color.
Paint the work bench faces stripe color.
Paint the workbench doors the color of your toolbox.
Workbench top just oil and rub---it's gonna get oily anyway.
djkeev
Well-known member
I'd paint the framing a color that shows you've got a bench sitting there, not the same as the lower walls.
I'd also double up the the top with another sheet of plywood, One sheet of 3/4 is mighty flimsey even with your reinforcement stud on 24" centers. My bench is triple 3/4 Ply. Also put a front finished edge on it so you don't get splinters from it (you'll be surprised how cut edge plywood splinters) and for a top surface, I'm partial to a formica top. They are cheap, easy to install and you don't end up with a greasy stained bench top. A wooden top with oil becomes sticky and attracks dirt like a magnet. Once the dirt settles it can at times be hard to wipe away.
Any spills on formica wipe right up plus I have a white top and use a black sharpie on mine, as you would a white board, to make notes that I may need. If the notes are to be kept I'll transfer them to my notepad on my iPhone or write them on paper. If they are temporary measurements or notes for the current project, a quick shot with carb cleaner, a wipe with a paper towel and presto! They are gone and you've got a nice clean benchtop.
Yes, it scratches, yes it can chip but so will any other material except metal. I don't like metal for it is prone to dent's and scratches, not to mention a tad expensive. Metal is also literally COLD to the touch even in the summer.
When the formica is shot (and it will takes literal years for this to happen), simply sand the existing formica surface, apply glue and viola'!!! a brand new bench top!
BTW I'd do a white bench top for the light reflective qualities of it. Also I prefer a glossy surface, not the matte surface. Stains and marker wipe off so much easier from a glossy finish.
Dave
I'd also double up the the top with another sheet of plywood, One sheet of 3/4 is mighty flimsey even with your reinforcement stud on 24" centers. My bench is triple 3/4 Ply. Also put a front finished edge on it so you don't get splinters from it (you'll be surprised how cut edge plywood splinters) and for a top surface, I'm partial to a formica top. They are cheap, easy to install and you don't end up with a greasy stained bench top. A wooden top with oil becomes sticky and attracks dirt like a magnet. Once the dirt settles it can at times be hard to wipe away.
Any spills on formica wipe right up plus I have a white top and use a black sharpie on mine, as you would a white board, to make notes that I may need. If the notes are to be kept I'll transfer them to my notepad on my iPhone or write them on paper. If they are temporary measurements or notes for the current project, a quick shot with carb cleaner, a wipe with a paper towel and presto! They are gone and you've got a nice clean benchtop.
Yes, it scratches, yes it can chip but so will any other material except metal. I don't like metal for it is prone to dent's and scratches, not to mention a tad expensive. Metal is also literally COLD to the touch even in the summer.
When the formica is shot (and it will takes literal years for this to happen), simply sand the existing formica surface, apply glue and viola'!!! a brand new bench top!
BTW I'd do a white bench top for the light reflective qualities of it. Also I prefer a glossy surface, not the matte surface. Stains and marker wipe off so much easier from a glossy finish.
Dave
Falcon67
Well-known member
>I'd also double up the the top with another sheet of plywood, One sheet of 3/4 is >mighty flimsey even with your reinforcement stud on 24" centers.
X2. I'm painting my top with satin gray porch/floor paint. I'll leave the rest natural wood - like the color and appearance, personally. The floor paint is cheap - $12 mixed for a quart from Lowes - holds up better than you'd think and is easy to refresh if you feel the need.
X2. I'm painting my top with satin gray porch/floor paint. I'll leave the rest natural wood - like the color and appearance, personally. The floor paint is cheap - $12 mixed for a quart from Lowes - holds up better than you'd think and is easy to refresh if you feel the need.
2manytoyz
Well-known member
Painting it would certainly look nice, but I wouldn't paint the top. On the working surface of my benches, I've been using a piece of 1/4" hardboard panel on top of a plywood base. It's smooth and easy to clean. If the skin gets chewed up, simply lift it off and replace it.
Nice looking bench!
Nice looking bench!
chief ben
Well-known member
This works for me,
