Achieving a good finish for my 10mm plate Bench Tops

[Steve J M]

I have two 10mm top plates (each 6' x 16" ) that need cleaning up to provide an acceptable level of finish for a bench top.
I sort of recall recall seeing a reply in a thread on here somewhere, where the person used some additive (not wd40) but possibly something similar ? to keep the top from rusting again. Can anyone offer some advise for how I should proceed with my bench tops please ?

The bench which I put together last weekend, is going to be used outside (under a permanent lean-to roof) & it is actually very stable. I know its probably a bit amateurish by comparison to the box section fabricated benches on here, but I cannot weld as yet & so I needed a table / bench to get started on. (I can always upgrade to a fabricated design when I can weld …. using the same top plates !)

 

[roofman]

I have two 10mm top plates (each 6' x 16" ) that need cleaning up to provide an acceptable level of finish for a bench top.
I sort of recall recall seeing a reply in a thread on here somewhere, where the person used some additive (not wd40) but possibly something similar ? to keep the top from rusting again. Can anyone offer some advise for how I should proceed with my bench tops please ?

The bench which I put together last weekend, is going to be used outside (under a permanent lean-to roof) & it is actually very stable. I know its probably a bit amateurish by comparison to the box section fabricated benches on here, but I cannot weld as yet & so I needed a table / bench to get started on. (I can always upgrade to a fabricated design when I can weld …. using the same top plates !)

orbital sander and 30 mins worth of dust (ware a mask) and your done. to keep it from going red again just old engine oil mixed with a bit of white spirit rubbed on with an old rag,no need for fancy named solutions that cost big bucks. I find iff i keep my bench top oiled then it stops the welding spatter from sticking to the steel too.

 

[MattF]

to keep it from going red again just old engine oil mixed with a bit of white spirit rubbed on with an old rag,no need for fancy named solutions that cost big bucks.

I'm similar in method for basic protection. I use new engine oil, (the slight amount remaining in a 20/25L container when I start a fresh one gets put aside for this), and mix some gum turpentine in there. If I'm feeling fancy, a whiff of Linseed oil too to give it a bit more tack.

 

[Gareth J]

I've always got clear waxoyl on the go so generally go for that with a bit of white spirit. Stuff where I live sweats really bad so it needs a decent layer to keep the orange at bay. PS. That's a decent bench, when you can get a steel frame underneath you'll be able to really abuse it but it looks sturdy enough for now as is

 

[Kent]

sorry I personally don't get the picnic bench bottom, seems like a bad plan you certainly don't want that 10mm hitting your shins one day!. Don't put anything on it just keep knocking back the rust frequently with a wire brush in the grinder and it will form its own protection, additives will only make a mess and give poor earths oil+Water = goo add rust and you get rusty goop

 

[Richard.]

Nope I don't like that either, I've sat at many wobbly picnic benches but the difference is they don't have a lump of steel like that on top to take your legs out.
You should wait till you have a welder then the bench should be project no 2 after the trolly.
Clean it the good old fashioned way sanding, grinding , linishing etc. keep it under cover and once your sanding tacks and spatter off it it won't go rusty again.

 

[Gareth J]

The op says it's a temporary measure as he needs to learn to weld first. That bench will be fine for that and much better than kneeling on the floor.

He also said it's only under a lean to. Unless his lean to is in Arizona, the first warm damp day following a cold snap will have it coated with condensation. Fair enough though, I guess you could cover with a cloth when not in use.

 

[Rig Pig]

Cloth is usually the worst thing to use, it seems to attract water and hold the damp.

 

[Screwdriver]

Try ACF50. It should form a thin, imperceptible barrier and stop rust. Do it once all over then just as and when on the bits that get worn away.

 

[Welderpaul]

Why fret about it? It's not going to rust away anytime soon, so give it a quick once over with a wire brush on a grinder to get rid of the loose rubbish and a quick thin smear of grease if your bothered (Use a bit of rubber strip like a squeegggeeee?)

 

[Richard.]

Why bother period. Just sand it over. Once you start welding on it you'll be sanding spatter and tacks off it frequently that it won't get chance to rust. I don't think any form of coating is a good idea, getting a good earth could be an issue if you start coating it. Just do what we all do and keep it bright with linishing. Simples.

 

[roofman]

Why bother period. Just sand it over. Once you start welding on it you'll be sanding spatter and tacks off it frequently that it won't get chance to rust. I don't think any form of coating is a good idea, getting a good earth could be an issue if you start coating it. Just do what we all do and keep it bright with linishing. Simples.

Never have an earth issue on my pamped and oiled bench...my old un-loved red and rusty one always gave me earth problems for obvious reasons

 

[Bill Edwards]

Perhaps those giving the advice to leave it aren't considering that it's going to be in a damp environment and might not see that much use, unlike your own which probably sees a lot more.

Any kind of light oil will keep the rust at bay, I would use something very thin though to avoid mess. A bench that is bare metal and sees little use will end up quite rusty, this isn't nice to use.

 

[Richard.]

Perhaps those giving the advice to leave it aren't considering that it's going to be in a damp environment and might not see that much use, unlike your own which probably sees a lot more.

Any kind of light oil will keep the rust at bay, I would use something very thin though to avoid mess. A bench that is bare metal and sees little use will end up quite rusty, this isn't nice to use.

It's a fair point.

 

[Steve J M]

Hey, many thanks for all your comments ….. whilst there's some contradiction in them; still very interesting and its always good to hear different opinions. (I will be bolting the 12mm plates through the trestle timbers & also bolting the legs to the floor …. so it will be really solid & unmovable)

Totally get the point about getting the warm day after a lengthy cold spell …… (I have to keep a 60W tubular greenhouse heater under my motorbike in the garage (unheated) which works & does stop the condensation) (I am NOT suggesting putting one under the bench !! lol)

 

[lotus 30]

As you are into wood why not make a wood top to put over the steel lift of when in use it may protect it from condensation