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Thread: how to finish surface of bench

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2014
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    Cheshire
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    Default how to finish surface of bench

    I seem to be on a roll this week for asking very basic questions. I've decided to sand the top of my bench back slightly, which is made from an old oak desk - it has a dark stain finish, and I want to lighten my work surface a bit. I don't know how best to finish the surface though, not linseed oil as I do my soldering on my workbench and I don't want to set it on fire - varnish, hmm don't know if varnish is suitable for a workbench - perhaps wax it? How is everyone elses workbench surface finished? Perhaps it doesn't matter - I do sometimes get bogged down thinking there is one right answer to everything and I just don't know what it is!

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    England
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    1,902

    Default

    I have never worried about how the surface of my bench looks, as long as it can be cleaned easily to retrieve scraps and lemel. I would just leave it sanded, it's how what you make at the bench looks that is important.

    My bench surface,
    Click image for larger version. 

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    James

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2014
    Location
    Cheshire
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    Thanks James,
    I'll do that - one less job, and more time to practice - whats not to love?

  4. #4
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    Dec 2014
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    South Australia
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    When I originally made my work bench I finished it with Rustins Plastic coating, I assume it it would be much less expensive over there

  5. #5
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    Feb 2011
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    Scotland
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  6. #6
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    Jun 2010
    Location
    Cardiff
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    Default

    I have a naked bench too, my huge old workbench is varnished, and it isn't pretty when something hot gets dropped on it (smell wise)

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Nov 2014
    Location
    Cheshire
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    Thanks, caroline, china, Lydia - yuk - yes I can imagine the smell's not great, I wouldn't fancy a plastic coating either for same reason. Maybe youre not as clumsy as me china. I'm going with Lydia and Caroline - so naked! Btw Lydia re comment in Lounge - I hope your little boy is through his 'interesting times' soon! hopefully leaving you some energy for other things.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jun 2013
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    668

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    Quote Originally Posted by LydiaNiz View Post
    I have a naked bench too...

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
    Location
    South Australia
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    Rustins is a unique and durable finish and can be a matt finish a semi gloss finish or a high gloss mirror finish, you drop something hot on it and it is damaged you simply sand it back and refinish that section, in saying all that I have many dings scratches cuts divots burn marks etc. etc. and have never bothered to refinished it.

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