MDF Finish?

[ufg8r85]

I'm just about finished with a workbench that has an MDF top. What if any finish should I apply?

Thank You,
Steve

[MilDoc]

I'd suggest covering it with a replaceable hardboard top. Any abuse can easily destroy MDF.

[ejs1097]

I finished my MDF top with 3-4 coats of Watco Danish Oil. It's held up great for the past 5 years. It's my general workbench I use for metal, wood, paint. No problems what-so-ever.

[TheRic]

Like Mildoc said use a hardboard top.

If you want to keep the MDF top ........ I have coated MDF with Polyurethane. I first put a coat on diluted so it soaks in a little better, and then a regular coat (or several in your case). Have done this several times for things like shelving.

[ChuckR]

I read in Best-Ever Wookshops 2002 about Hammerite paint finishes. I used a similar Rust-Oleum "Hammered Finish" spray paint for the top of a scroll saw stand. So far so good. Definitely seal the edges with a good primer. I missed that step and the edge does not have the same effect as the top.

[Tom Slick]

I have poly on MDF and it holds up to general use. stained mdf has an interesting look. you could also cover it with formica.


hammerite is tougher paint but it clogs their spray can nozzles really badly, it is better sprayed out of a gun or brushed on. rust-oleum hammered looks good and sprays nice, not quite as durable.

[footprintsinconc]

when i make mine, i plan on using Polyurethane like ric. but on the side, make some 2ft x 4ft hardboard pieces that you can throw on top when chiseling ... to protect the top.

how about a sneak preview of the table?

regards,

[drumpriest]

I poly'd my assembly table. It's held up well.

[LarryG]

Same here as Keith and a few other respondents. I applied about four coats of wipe-on poly (the same General Finishes "tung oil" that David Marks uses on WoodWorks) on my torsion box assembly table and keep a liberal coat of wax on it. I don't do a lot of Neader-ish beating and banging on it, but it's held up beautifully.

[bthere]

I would put hardboard on top of a workbench.

I've used poly on mdf work tables and they hold up if you can keep from gouging them. If you do use poly and are trying to coat the edges, try priming the edges with a thinned solution of white glue.

[Tom Miller]

Ditto the poly -- several coats, and then I keep it waxed so glue drips, etc. pop right off. If I'm going to be doing any major chiseling, where the chisel will tend to come in contact with the bench top, I put down a small piece of hardboard. There are several quick and easy ways to keep a piece of hardboard in place, if desired. Otherwise, MDF holds up very well.





Regards,
Tom

[RodKirby]

3 coats of Hi-gloss poly - applied with a small roller

[LarryG]

Rod, is your bench's top two layers of 3/4" (18mm) MDF? What wood is that for the legs and aprons? TIA.

[L. D. Jeffries]

All I can say is that "LarryG" must have heard "Normie" when he said "you never can have too many clamps!". I really envy people who are as organiZed as he is!

[LarryG]

All I can say is that "LarryG" must have heard "Normie" when he said "you never can have too many clamps!". I really envy people who are as organiZed as he is!

That's a, um, old picture. Taken before I bought most of my, er, Besseys ...

Organization is essential when you have as much crap as I do crammed into a 19' x 10' x 6' space. My shop's so crowded, I have to step outside to have room to fart.