reloading bench top finish type

[Demi-human]

Formica is best, melamine is inexpensive and paint is very easy. If you were to just seal it use a poly-acrylic finish. It is more resistant to acetone and alchohol than the other clear coats. I use it on wood gun grips that I make for myself. It resists cleaning and is very hard.
Unless your space is very dark, a simple clear coat plywood sheet will stand up fine.

Contact a carpenter or cabinetry company to see if you can salvage any used countertops that they replace.

 

[pert near]

I got some good ideas from this thread. I've gone through several work/reloading benches over the years & I always install 1/8" masonite, slick side up, on top & attach with staples on the edges (NOT GLUE!). Can easily be replaced & cost about $10 for a 4'x8' sheet. A slight lip to prevent roll off's sounds like a good idea but you have to have your presses bolted close & flat. My tops don't seem to get damaged from dings or dents but stains from various nasty cleaning chemicals seem to be the norm.

 

[mdi]

I've had a few "built in" benches in my garages, and I'm passed fine wood finishes. I prefer light gray floor paint (battleship gray?). The color makes it easy to find small parts (itty bitty screws out of a gun), and the "floor" paint stands up to abuse quite well...

 

[JO JO]

Since I just put new plywood on top of my older bench now I have a top that is 1 1/2 inch thick now and the bench is very solid, the plywood I used is nice and is sanded smooth, I don't think I want to add anymore layers to it maybe I will go with the clear coat idea,
What is a good clear coat that adds a hardness/ sealer type finish it is used for reloading and brass prep not a work bench with hammers and projects

 

[Blue68f100]

Get the polyurethane rated for hard wood floors for durability.

 

[Nature Boy]

A piece of laminate like what is used on kitchen counters. Will resist just about anything you can throw at it short of acid.

Yep. A sheet of Formica laminate and a can of contact cement and be done with it

 

[Rule3]

Since I just put new plywood on top of my older bench now I have a top that is 1 1/2 inch thick now and the bench is very solid, the plywood I used is nice and is sanded smooth, I don't think I want to add anymore layers to it maybe I will go with the clear coat idea,
What is a good clear coat that adds a hardness/ sealer type finish it is used for reloading and brass prep not a work bench with hammers and projects

Any name brand Poly. Several coats. Your choice of sheen. The floor stuff is good but usually comes in Gal sizes which is expensive,

 

[Sunray]

Formica or the like will break with the force that dents plywood. The whole exercise is purely decorative so use whatever's cheapest. If there's a Habitat for Humanity Restore near you, it's a good place to get cheap stuff. They aren't the only people doing it.
Been using a cheap, really cheap, particle board top work bench for 40 years myself. Friggin' thing broke on the very first use of the press. Fixed it with a square foot of 1/4" mild steel plate(got it for free from one of the guys I shot with), bolted on and the press bolted to it.
"...just sanded plywood..." Usually is birch veneer.

 

[SC_Dave]

3 coats of polyurethane on mine with no issues. I'd use that again if I built another one.

 

[Mn Fats]

You guys got some nice benches. My bench is just an old solid oak door with no finish. Its gotten the job done for many years.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Get the polyurethane rated for hard wood floors for durability.

That is what I used.

 

[Offfhand]

Go down to Lowe's and purchase a bundle of the cheapest imitation flooring they have. Pre measure and cut it to fit the table, then glue it down. It's hard, looks pretty good, and if you spill something you can wipe it up.

Joe is on the right track suggesting going to a Lowe's or similar supplier, but while you are there go to the kitchen cabinet department at look at pre-finished tops. They are very stiff and the laminated formica tops are impervious to about everything. Come in colors to suit your fancy, come in various lengths and can usually be found at bargain prices. The moulded-in back panel is also a blessing. I've used nothing else for my loading and work benches for years and they still look like new. I've found nothing better to mount loading tools on, as sh own in attached photo.

 

[Rule3]

Since I just put new plywood on top of my older bench now I have a top that is 1 1/2 inch thick now and the bench is very solid, the plywood I used is nice and is sanded smooth, I don't think I want to add anymore layers to it maybe I will go with the clear coat idea,
What is a good clear coat that adds a hardness/ sealer type finish it is used for reloading and brass prep not a work bench with hammers and projects

Guys, read what the OP wrote!

 

[GBExpat]

... now I have a top that is 1 1/2 inch thick now and the bench is very solid, the plywood I used is nice and is sanded smooth, I don't think I want to add anymore layers to it maybe I will go with the clear coat idea, ...

Mmmmmm ...1½" top ... nice and solid.

FWIW ...

If that were mine and I planned on not using it as a gun bench (or a surface for any hammering/abuse, ever) I would get some name-brand floor-rated polyurethane and take my time building-up a proper finish (allowing each coat to fully cure). I would probably add at least one more coat than I thought that it really needed.

 

[JO JO]

it is one stout bench total 12ft, 6ft in each direction in an L pattern , I may just make it simple and go with a light gray enamel and use the rubber mat idea, but I appreciate everyone's input,

 

[glc24]

My top is 2 pieces of 3/4" MDF with 2 coats of Minwax High Build Polyurethane.

 

[Big Wes]

I put Formica on my bench, easy to clean.

 

[Cannibul]

I used laminate flooring for my bench top. $17 a box at Home Depot.