Sealing Plywood

[TipsyMcStagger]

Going to build a workbench and plan to use two layers of 3/4" ply for the work surface. Wondering what's best to use to seal/protect the surface?

Varnish? Urethane? Etc.

TIA.

Tipsy

 

[38Chevy454]

I used polyurethane on my plywood bench top. Two coats same as your plan. So far seems to be working fine, keeps any fluids and dirt from getting to the wood.

 

[Macgyver_ga]

A few coats of poly-urethane should be fine.

Or you could do some of that liquid glass acrylic stuff they use on bar tops.

 

[evintho]

I did a little something different when I built mine. I also used two sheets of 3/4" plywood as a base, then covered that with 1/4" hardboard as a working surface. I then framed that with 1" strapping. The hardboard is screwed to the plywood with short countersunk woodscrews. When the hardboard becomes trashed, I simply replace it with another sheet. Takes about 20 minutes to remove, cut a new piece and screw it in. I do a lot of automotive work so there's a lot of heavy, greasy subassemblies that get worked on, on the bench. The original hardboard lasted 10 years before I replaced it!

ORIGINAL

REPLACEMENT

 

[theoldwizard1]

I did a little something different when I built mine. I also used two sheets of 3/4" plywood as a base, then covered that with 1/4" hardboard as a working surface. I then framed that with 1" strapping. The hardboard is screwed to the plywood with short countersunk woodscrews. When the hardboard becomes trashed, I simply replace it with another sheet.

 

[1949 caddyman]

X2 on the use of hardboard for the top.

 

[mbatarga]

^ +1

And you can still seal it with poly to help with moisture resistance.

 

[djjsr]

I used Minwax Polycrylic (satin). I have it on all 4 of my benches, two of them are about 7 years old. It's nice to use because it dries in about 1/2 hour so you can recoat it quickly. I use 3 coats with a light sanding after the second coat only. Then let the final coat dry overnight.

 

[rburke65]

Anyone with any info on what it is exactly that is used on the bar tops to give it the liquid glass look, or where you might buy it? Thanks.

 

[burleymike]

My dad put some really ugly formica he found at a second hand building supply store on his old bench. It has been there for 20+ years now, a few burns, scratches, nicks but overall good shape.

 

[DHS]

Anyone with any info on what it is exactly that is used on the bar tops to give it the liquid glass look, or where you might buy it? Thanks.

Its a 2 part epoxy. You just mix pour and spread. It levels itself.

 

[Stuart in MN]

I use tempered hardboard as well. You can put a coat of varnish on it if you like, it dresses it up nicely.

 

[TipsyMcStagger]

Thanks for the replies.

Tipsy

 

[szyg6h]

Anyone with any info on what it is exactly that is used on the bar tops to give it the liquid glass look, or where you might buy it? Thanks.

I dodn't have a lot of time on mine yet, and don't expect to put a lot of heavy sharp items on my birch plywood. For the look you describe, I poured, and spread many THICK coats of polyurethane- many thck poured with a wide putty knife.

 

[jvitez]

The only problem with polyurethane, paint, anything that sits on top of the work surface is that it will chip. What type of work do you plan on doing? Polyurethane or paint chips don't go well inside auto trans galleries, etc. If just a regular utility bench, then no problem.

The other type of finish would be those that soak into the wood itself, so nothing to chip. Examples would be boiled (treated) linseed oil, tung oil, Danish oil, etc.

Just some food for thought.

 

[szyg6h]

The only problem with polyurethane, paint, anything that sits on top of the work surface is that it will chip. What type of work do you plan on doing? Polyurethane or paint chips don't go well inside auto trans galleries, etc. If just a regular utility bench, then no problem.

The other type of finish would be those that soak into the wood itself, so nothing to chip. Examples would be boiled (treated) linseed oil, tung oil, Danish oil, etc.

Just some food for thought.

that bench is like you said- regular utility bench. Have metal
top for heavy items that would otherwise chip, scratch