Painting a piece of worktop?

[Nikita Norman]

Tomorrow I'm building a stand to accommodate 8 small aquariums. To do it as cheap and smooth on top as possible, it will be finished by a 4ft piece of laminated beech effect worktop that I've got spare.

Usually I paint my stands black and I do not like having light bases under aquaria so I'll want to paint the top too.

Food hygiene is obviously not an issue in this scenario! What would be the best way to go about doing it so it lasts please? And what would be best to seal the cut ends with to protect against water damage just in case?

 

[Wayners]

Sand top of worktop with 180grade then zinsser all coat black.
Really want a worktop end fitted but they are £8 or less.
Maybe just fill end grain and all coat it black?

 

[robinbanks]

Piece of black self adhesive vinyl? Like sign writers/car wrappers use

 

[Odds]

you can buy edging strips for table tops, and i think black is available.

 

[slawit]

Black silcone for the ends