Hey guys. Built this workbench. 12x3. I used Oak plywood for the top/back lip. It Came out nice I think. I want to finish it with something. Maybe Stain/some kinda polyurethane? Got any good ideas? The Oak top looks too nice to just leave bare I think. Also hate to just paint it.
How would you finish this Workbench?
- Thread starter koster88
- Start date
rsanter
Well-known member
Pus a little stain on it if you want.
Then use a clear poly that is used for wood flooring
Another option
Stain and then put a lexan sheet over it
Bob
Then use a clear poly that is used for wood flooring
Another option
Stain and then put a lexan sheet over it
Bob
AZ Pete
Well-known member
On oak, I like Danish Oil (Watco is one brand Deft also makes it). Then polyurethane. The Oak will darken with age, no mater what you put on it, so no need to stain it, but you can get Danish oil in stained colors too. I also like lighter surface color for work. You can use cookie sheets to do any work on car parts that would damage the polyurethane surface.
Angelfire
Well-known member
Don't do polyurethane. When it comes time to fix/repair it, you'll have to sand it/strip it all off. Go with an oil varnish and don't look back. Waterlox is my preferred one but you could go with something as simple as BLO. When it's time to refinish, simply put on more waterlox....no sanding/stripping needed. It comes down to deciding a philosophy with regards to how to finish things. Use poly for a more durable finish (which will get damaged regardless) but realizing you will need to spend more effort to repar when the time comes or go with a little less durable finish that is much simpler to repair. Your choice but for me personally, poly is horrible stuff.
jake00
Well-known member
My top is made out of hardwood flooring, I finished it with commerciall floor finish
turbowoodworker
Well-known member
Whatever finish you chose, put a 2" hardwood edge on the plywood. It will stay nicer longer and you won't get splinters.
NOZZLEMAN
Well-known member
I would suggest stain to your taste, put on a few coats of spar-varnish (boat building stuff). I've done several decorative canoe type shelf units and it wears like iron and looks great
Good Luck & post pics when your done !!
Good Luck & post pics when your done !!
Kevin54
MEMBER EMERITUS
For a benchtop that you also want to look nice, stain it, then cover it with Marine Spar Varnish, or if you want to laminate some pics into it, cover it with the bar sealer that is thick and clear. You could always put drill charts, decimal charts, tap and drill charts on top then cover them all with the bar top urethane coating.
premierplayer
Well-known member
Stain and urethane the top and splash, maybe paint on the frame. Construction looks good, nice job.
Do I see PVC air piping on the wall behind?
Do I see PVC air piping on the wall behind?
Last edited:
Kevin54
MEMBER EMERITUS
bazzateer
Well-known member
Maybe it's for power?
Yes. I'm trying this. I've never seen it before.. until I went to a shop to buy 1 of my compressors. This was a performance shop, and had PVC lines for about 7 years. Never an issue. I already had the PVC/most of the fittings, so it cost me about 20-30 to do the whole shop. if I have any issues, I'll change it to pipe.
Am I crazy? will it work? I should have it completed in the next day or 2. (just wiring up the compressor.
"if I have any issues, I'll change it to pipe."
Really only one issue, it will explode at the worst time.I've had it explode while changing a quick connect.Not my shop,and I have a habit of turning my head,lucky that day,scrapnel went everywhere.
Really only one issue, it will explode at the worst time.I've had it explode while changing a quick connect.Not my shop,and I have a habit of turning my head,lucky that day,scrapnel went everywhere.
