How to refinish this type of bench top...

[GRNSHRK]

OK gents, this thing is bugging the crap outa me

I'm sure I can just take all of the shit off, sand it and coat it with something

Any advice on doing something like this would be more than welcome

TIA, as always

[Jlc]

What is the top material?

[GRNSHRK]

Well, that's why I posted a pic of the layers from a corner, really not sure what it is

Appears to be some sort of composite, but it's coming apart and I'm really tired of it, but don't want to have to replace it either

I do think that it could be sanded, then coated, but with what, is the question

[Jlc]

My experience is composite is tough to sand. If you don't beat on it a colored epoxy may be the best bet. You cound rough it up a bit, build a dam and pour it on.

[GRNSHRK]

Interesting idea, but that would be quite a bit of epoxy, as this bench is 3' x 6'

Since it's fairly F'ed up already, think I'll try sanding a corner and see how it comes out

If I can get a smooth finish, think I'll go with polyurethane, I've had good success with the brush on stuff

[hornhospital]

If it's going to see heavy use (like it appears to have in the past), use bar top epoxy.

[jps635]

It looks like what we commonly call 'chip-board" or "particle board".

What to depends on what you use it for, and what you want to spend. Like others have said an epoxy, but not very forgiving. Can protect the edge by screwing on an aluminium flat bar and filling in the corner/ radius wth bog or a self levelling epoxy. Good idea for the main work area is a thick industrial vinyl self-healing cutting pad, or piece of heavy vinyl, throw away and replace when done.

My benchtop is an old solid core security door (free). Heavy and solid.

[86_6series]

I would cover the top with wood, plywood or 1x8's. New smooth surface can be epoxy painted for durability.

[86_6series]

I would cover the top with wood, plywood or 1x8's or any product as a veneer.
New smooth surface can be epoxy painted for durability.
Or replace top entirely with new material.

[bpoliakoff]

Top of my bench is birch veneer plywood with a 2'X2' 20 gauge metal plate in the middle wrapping around the front edge. That takes the abuse while the rest stays nice. Recovering the top is a lot more productive then trying to refinish particle board. I finished the top with urethane sprayed on.

[635sharknose]

Here in Europe we often place a metal plate on top as a finish. Usually the sheet metal sheet is bent at the front to cover the front wooden edge as well. And a small ledge in the back where it is pushed against the wall.
When damaged, just grind it smooth and it's like new again.

[GRNSHRK]

Well, haven't done anything yet, but did want to share the results of my other workbench, that I did refinish

The P/O kept adding sheets of MDF as they got F'ed up, so I yanked all of that off, got a piece of finished wood shelving, stained it and then coated it with polyurethane

But the finish came out so nice that I don't do any heavy work on it, as it looks more like furniture than a workbench

You guys have given me some good ideas, that metal cover plate is a bit over the top, but still leaning towards sanding and coating with an epoxy finish

I'll be sure and post my results