Thread: Workbench restoration for kitchen

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Welcome.

How "pristine" do you want it to be?

Are the surfaces worn by normal wear or water damaged?

Is the finish cracked, flakey, worn off?

And, what style is your kitchen?

Any chance of some better pictures? That one looks like it was taken during a southerly buster - you lucky bugger, we're still dieing here from the heatwave!

Yeah sorry about the photo! Will get a better one later. Kitchen is modern but this will be a contrast. Btw, not blustery, just a crap camera. Adelaide is pretty hot too!

Surface is not rotten but oil has penetrated in some parts. Lots of holes (as a kid I would drill through it for fun), but not many dents.

Water in the photo was from the hose after I'd given it a wash. 30 years of no action and dust.

You have a great workbench which would make a great sideboard or other feature bench where you could leave all its 'history' and character on display and be a centre of many a good story. For a kitchen it if really important to have a non-porous, non-perforated (sans the drill holes for fun) surface otherwise you will accumulate very nasty bacteria and not a suitable food preparation surface. If you still want to use it for food preparation then you will need to carefully fill all holes (can be coloured resin to still show all its marks) then a 2 pack clear poly finish would then seal it for food use. (Check websites for details of how to apply and get that great finish whether Matt, satin or gloss.) As far as preparation/stripping ... elbow great and fine sandpaper until you have it back until it only shows the history you are interested in still seeing when the job is done. Good luck ... a good job for cooler weather.

(You didn't mention how stable the structure was or if you want to incorporate the original legs and rails into the new kitchen so obviously the frames should be made fast before finishing. Remember work benches are often set considerably higher that the 885-900mm work bench height of most kitchens so take into account clearances for appliances (dishwasher and under-bench over?). If the bench is set too high, then the overhead cupboards end up too high to be practical.)


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Thanks Aussie
Won't be used for food preparation but will be used as a breakfast bar. It is very stable, and yes I'll be keeping the cast iron legs as is. It's pretty low but we were thinking of adding wheels which would bring it up to around 900mm.
Initially I thought I would be sanding the top right back in which case I was after advise on what sanding tools to use. But I think my wife would like to keep as much character as possible so that may mean little material to be taken off. But I will need to remov oils etc. and then perhaps it should be sealed and holes patched etc. The 2 pak epoxy sounds the way to go and I gather that can go straight over the character features, as long as all the oils and dust are removed first.
I will get some better photos and post them.

I'll solve you the headache of all the work involved. I'll be in Adelaide this week and can take it away for you.

Watching with great interest, please please dont strip it or sand it,

Hi Tony

Certainly keen to hear your opinion as it sounds like you have experience with these sort of things. Like I said, my wife has swayed me in the direction of keeping the character so that is safe!

What then would you do to 'sanitise' what is there (ie. remove oils and loose material) and would you agree with the 2 pak epoxy?

Greg

I was meaning taking it away........................permanently

I am no expert but 2 bobs worth

If you can turn it over and try some degreaser on an area that wont be seen, and a scrubbing / kitchen pot brush, try to get rid of the bulk of the oils stains but still leaving evidence all adds to character and patina

Depending how much loose material, consider hiring a high pressure air cleaner really get into all the ridges and stuff.

2 pak I'll defer other more learned people but DO seal both dises and ends, reason air temp will still affect timber and if its sealed one side only its likely to bow and warp and stuff itself.

Seiously I wouldnt be using it for kitchen as mentioned above, I think for its age and wanting to leave its character, better used as a hallway dresser or TV table etc etc

A suitable piece of glass. If it is slightly wider then there is no bacteria problem. All the character is visible.

Now theres a smart boy, thinking outside the square

Scrub the hell out of it with a cloth and quality cleaner. Attack the stubborn bits with a nail brush, cleaner and elbow grease.

Then happily use it as you want to