Help with garage project

[AKcharger]

I need advice. I have this 30 foot long work bench in my garage and I wanted to put a smooth surface over it, as you can see there's seams and stuff and I don't like it. I was thinking flormica or linoleum...suggestions?

Also what about a back splash? I find when I'm cleaning I get junk on the white paint, have to clean it a lot

Thanks in advance!

[JB400]

I wouldn't go linoleum.  If you happen to catch it on fire grinding on something, it'll put out harmful fumes.  Personally, I'd look into a 5/8 or 3/4 plywood or sheet of steel.  Both are similar in price for a 4x8 sheet ($40-$50 a sheet) and you'd only need 2 sheets if you split them in half if your bench is 2 ft. wide.

[polywideblock]

sheet steel  top like a shop counter  , easy to clean and just about indestructible

[AKcharger]

Hmmmm, good point!! let me look into the steel angle! thanks!

[charge69]

Sheet steel sounds like a good solution and if you can bend it enough to also make a back splash, it sounds like a winner. You would still have about 3 seams to deal with but it still sounds like a good idea.

[stripedelete]

I'd leave part of it wood.   Some projects will require a more forgiving surface.  Easy to fasten to, or temporarily anchor to.   You can easily screw down some type of jig etc...  If it gets torn up or ratty just replace it.

[Hard Charger]

hardboard is a good surface. screw it down so if you beat it up it can be changed.

exposed plywood gets saturated with oil and grease, solvents etc.

[AKcharger]

If it was a good surface I might go the wood direction but it's just pressboard with some thin cheesy covering I'd be Leary of attaching anything to it.

[stripedelete]

If it was a good surface I might go the wood direction but it's just pressboard with some thin cheesy covering I'd be Leary of attaching anything to it.

I'm thinking 2x14's or 3/4 plywood.  But,  the point being, whatever you use is sacrificial.

[ws23rt]

Their are few things I do with my work bench that don't cause damage of some kind.  It also accumulates stuff (tools, parts, hardware, etc)very fast.
I use paneling. It's cheap and comes in many choices. When the time comes for a new surface damaging project, that's the time to put all the accumulated stuff where it belongs and  replace the paneling with another. The same for a back splash.

[AKcharger]

paneling??? like that  wood stuff from the 70s???

[Steve P.]

My benchtop at the old shop was made of 2x6 SYP. I put a few coats of urethane on it and it help up very well. I also have a wide Craftsman bottom box that I put a plate steel top on. If I am welding or needing a top I can really abuse I use the bottom box. Everything else goes to the wooden bench.. I also have a sheet metal drip pan that I use for any carb clean or brake clean sprays... I'd say it all depends on what you want to use the bench for and if it has to be used for everything.. If that is the case, PLATE STEEL.... 

[twodko]

Sheet metal covered 3/4" CDX. Build it right, build it to last. 

[stripedelete]

30 feet of bench leaves a lot of options.   You could build in a flush surface slop sink or parts washer.  If you dropped
them slightly, they could have plywood covers.  A great way to have your cake and eat it too.

[green69rt]

I went to Lowes and bought a length of pre formed kitchen counter top covered with formica, comes with a 4" rear back splash molded in.   Whenever I want to do something destructive, I put a small (or large) piece of pylwood over it to protect the surface,  Looks neat and easy to clean.

Here are a couple of pics.   Kind of dirty right now.  I had to use some spacers to get it to screw to the wall.  All screwed together so easy to move or replace if needed.

[RallyeMike]

That Lowes prefab top is a great idea. Whenit gets too beat up, just get another one!

I used hardwood plywood with several coats of clear urethane. 8 feet of space between joints is fine. On top of that I bought a 4' long sheet of stainless steel sheet at the local 2nd use scrap shop, and I just slide it to wherever I need to do work that involves grinding, drilling, heat, etc.

[HANDM]

Even cheaper would be to find some outdated ugly tile and lay it right on top of the plywood use the mortar as grout, seal and your done.....

Labor intensive, but nearly indestructible and if you bust a tile, just pop it out and replace it

[Steve P.]

You can't really do any kind of hammering on tile.  If money was no object I would go with a wooden bench with a stainless steel top. Easy to clean up and damn good looking if you're worried about purdyness!!!

[twodko]

What Steve said and a deep sink would be a must have. Plywood piece when needed
for stress therapy is a must have also. A metal shop can bend a 4".....whatever, back
splash for you with a fold over top like a prefab Formica top then backed it with 3/4" CDX
You'd have an awesome work top. Run yourself some air lines and AC outlets plus some
of those pre-made unfinished cupboards screwed above your bench. It would be the
envy of your buds!
I went the pre-fab Formica top over unfinished base cabinets and uppers as well.
I bought a mix of door cabinet and drawer base cabinets. Took the door off a
single door base cabinet, used a router round over bit on the inside of the face
frame and put a mini frig in it.
Steel top over CDX will cost more but Formica or steel, you'll increase the resale
value of your home. Even them wimmins love a finished garage.

[John_Kunkel]

I like the idea of an all-metal work bench top but the usual light-gauge surfaces won't stand up to some abuse...I like to have an area, ideally around your bench vise, that is at least 1/4" thick steel.

[polywideblock]

talk to shop fitters they custom  bend sheet steel to fit counter tops all the time ,might be an easy way to get the metal bent to what you want   

they also dismantle old shop interiors and might have something suitable in the spares/scrap pile