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Posted: 7/22/2013 6:01:18 PM EDT
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So I am officially at wits end looking at different finishes for my new bench. The top is comprised of laminated doug fir 2x4's (Cheap from HD) planed to 2.5" and finish sanded. The bench will not only be used for reloading but for a multitude
of other DIY Projects I get myself into. Mostly it will be used for reloading and gun cleaning and maintenance. I will be staining the bench, but I haven't totally decided on a color. I like darker stains, but realize lighter is better on a reloading bench. After the staining I need to protect the top as best I can from solvent damage (or make it easily repairable). I really don't want to sand the entire top for one little "oops". I like the epoxy products but they are a bit out of my price range for this particular project. The bench itself is L-shaped 8 x 5 @ 24" deep. What say you woodworking experts? Spar Urethane, Polyurethane, Minwax Tung Oil Finish, Home brew oil/varnish mixture? I've spent some time on this project and don't want to cover it with hardboard or laminate. As soon as it's done I'll post some pics, but until then what say you? |
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First, it's a workbench. It will get scratched, dinged and stained over the years. No getting away from that.
Best surface is a replaceable layer of hardboard. Understand you don't want that. So you want a top coat that is easily repairable. What you want is a drying oil. I'm partial to Danish Oil but plain boiled linseed oil is just fine. 6-12 coats, allow to fully cure for a week then apply a coat of wax. Furniture wax, car wax, doesn't matter. When it gets damaged, just wipe it down with whatever drying oil you used. 2-3 times a year, give it a good coat of wax. ETA, I would highly suggest a hardboard layer on top of your Douglas fir. |
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Thanks for all the great info!!! I think I'm going to mix BLO, MS, and Poly
in equal parts to make a oil/varnish mix and rub it on. I think this will provide me with a balance of durability and ease of repair when it comes time to do so. Once the surface gets too beat up I'll go the hardboard route. ETA: I'll also keep it waxed for the extra protection that provides. |
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Quoted:
Thanks for all the great info!!! I think I'm going to mix BLO, MS, and Poly in equal parts to make a oil/varnish mix and rub it on. I think this will provide me with a balance of durability and ease of repair when it comes time to do so. Once the surface gets too beat up I'll go the hardboard route. ETA: I'll also keep it waxed for the extra protection that provides. General Finishes sells a premixed oil and poly top coat if you're interested. I know Woodcraft sells it. |
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Minwax pickling stain under multiple coats of poly, sand to 220-320 between coats.
Not a fan of the stain it is leftover from another small table, but this application it's just what the doctor ordered, light color to locate errant pieces(old eyes remember) and durable with the poly. JM .02 |
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Quoted:
General Finishes sells a premixed oil and poly top coat if you're interested. I know Woodcraft sells it. I looked at Arm-R-Seal, but I don't have a Woodcraft store nearby so I'll go the DIY route and mix it up on a double boiler. For what it'd cost to get the other stuff shipped, I can make 3x the amount by going the DIY route. |
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