Product to protect workbench chipboard top please?

[dupfold]

Hello

I purchased a workbench recently that resides in my home office, but it's already pretty marked (pen, grease etc) up so would like to protect it in some way so as I can wipe away marks, spills etc.

I'll like it keep the nature look so paint not required but as a total DIY noob, not sure what else I can use? Clean varnish perhaps?

Thank you.

 

[big-all]

have you got a picture please??
a work bench in the workshop sense would not have a chipboard top
http://www.rutlands.co.uk/hand-tools/work-benches/wood-work-benches/DK2600/craftsmans-workbench

 

[foxhole]

A sheet of laminate on ply over the top.?
If it has grease on it already then it's shagged.

 

[ladylola]

As said if it's stained then it's too late.
There is always the option of a glass top for an office workbench , I'm assuming that you won't be doing anything other than office work on it no hammering and banging. Piece of glass with polished edges would be easy to clean and allow the natural look of the wood to show through, I've used it on a couple of pieces of furnature myself.

 

[dupfold]

Thanks all. It's not an expensive workbench and only using it for building/repairing PC's etc, so light useage. I know it will take a few dings here and there but just thinking that if I coat it with something it will last a bit longer before needing to replace. Doesn't need to have a perfect finish etc, just something to protect against spills etc.



I've come across something called polyurethane varnish. Will this do the job?

 

[joinerjohn]

A piece of formica glued straight to the top should solve your problem. Easy to wipe clean and fairly resistant to most things.

 

[Burnerman]

A covering of lino type cushion floor for the softer approach?
John

 

[JohnD]

If it's just a cheap workbench, accept that it is going to get marked and damaged. It is not supposed to look like a french-polished tabletop.

If you want you can saw a piece of thick ply or flooring chip to size and bolt it to the top, when it gets damaged turn it over and look at the nice side, when it gets damaged again throw it on the bonfire and bolt on a new piece.

If you can get a piece of kitchen worktop (laminated chipboard) it is wipe clean and hard wearing, not very expensive, especially if you can find a damaged piece going cheap that has enough length left in fair condition.

 

[wavetrain]

I've come across something called polyurethane varnish. Will this do the job?

Another attention seeker/wind up artist

Next post will be 'a friend told me you apply varnish with a brush, is this correct?'