To seal or not to seal - The Firearms Forum

Old Guy · 05-22-2009, 07:19 AM

I am building my 2 x 4 bench this weekend and wondered whether I needed to simply sand the plywood very smooth only or to seal it with polyurethane or some other sealant. Any advice?

Old Guy

Dirtypacman · 05-22-2009, 07:38 AM

I did not - but I was a little lazy so my suggestion for the non-lazy person would be yes.

carver · 05-22-2009, 07:53 AM

Same here, I used sanded plywood (one side), no sealer, no paint. I didn't think I would need it, and after 20 years, I still haven't needed it. I use a coster for my coffee cups, and no stains as of yet.

LDBennett · 05-22-2009, 08:25 AM

If you don't seal the top surface of the plywood it can splinter. I think it best to either cover it with masonite (on top of the plywood) for a harder surface or put on a coat of polyurethane on at least the top. It kind of glues the wood together and stops the wood from splintering if you drag a heavy object across it.

Another option is the composite wood that is lots of sawdust held together with lots of glue. They normally compress the top and bottom during curing and that makes for a hard smooth surface. It needs to be thick (like 5/8 to 3/4 inch) and can be used as the top without plywood underneath. That's the way I did mine and it has held up for 25 years of hard use.

LDBennett

sewerman · 05-22-2009, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LDBennett

If you don't seal the top surface of the plywood it can splinter. I think it best to either cover it with masonite (on top of the plywood) for a harder surface or put on a coat of polyurethane on at least the top. It kind of glues the wood together and stops the wood from splintering if you drag a heavy object across it.

Another option is the composite wood that is lots of sawdust held together with lots of glue. They normally compress the top and bottom during curing and that makes for a hard smooth surface. It needs to be thick (like 5/8 to 3/4 inch) and can be used as the top without plywood underneath. That's the way I did mine and it has held up for 25 years of hard use.

LDBennett

our shop tables were wooden but had sheet metal on top. easy to clean and presented a surface impervious to spills and damage.
my reload table has formica as a top over the composite underlayer ...so far holding up well.

sewerman

dsv424 · 05-22-2009, 10:26 AM

I sealed mine with 5 coats of polyeruthane(its as smooth as a babies bottom) I did this so the surface would be protected and it makes wiping it off a lot easier.

gdmoody · 05-22-2009, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dirtypacman

I did not - but I was a little lazy so my suggestion for the non-lazy person would be yes.

+1 .. I did not seal mine, probably for the same reason!

Gene Seward · 05-22-2009, 12:59 PM

I painted mine with outdoor paint with two coats. Since then I have ran over it a couple more times to make it look better and to yet seal it even more.

GMFWoodchuck · 05-26-2009, 02:32 PM

I'd seal it just so it's easier to wipe clean.

05-22-2009, 07:19 AM	#1
Old Guy V.I.P. Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Beaufort County, NC Contributor Posts: 343	To seal or not to seal I am building my 2 x 4 bench this weekend and wondered whether I needed to simply sand the plywood very smooth only or to seal it with polyurethane or some other sealant. Any advice? Old Guy -->

05-22-2009, 07:38 AM	#2
Dirtypacman Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Merrimac Valley, MA Posts: 908	Re: To seal or not to seal I did not - but I was a little lazy so my suggestion for the non-lazy person would be yes. __________________ Member HHRG and HSC, NRA Life Member, GOAL Member LTC-A

05-22-2009, 07:53 AM	#3
carver TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: DAV, Deep in the Pineywoods of East Texas, just west of Shreveport, LA Contributor Posts: 11,285	Re: To seal or not to seal Same here, I used sanded plywood (one side), no sealer, no paint. I didn't think I would need it, and after 20 years, I still haven't needed it. I use a coster for my coffee cups, and no stains as of yet. __________________ Y'all be safe now, ya hear! Lamentations Chapter 5: 1. Remember, O LORD, what is come upon us: consider, and behold our reproach. 2. Our inheritance is turned to strangers, our houses to aliens. 3. We are orphans and fatherless, our mothers [are] as widows. 5. Our necks [are] under persecution: we labour, [and] have no rest. 16. The crown is fallen [from] our head: woe unto us, that we have sinned! 21. Turn thou us unto thee, O LORD, and we shall be turned; renew our days as of old.

05-22-2009, 08:25 AM	#4
LDBennett Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Hesperia, CA Posts: 5,718	Re: To seal or not to seal If you don't seal the top surface of the plywood it can splinter. I think it best to either cover it with masonite (on top of the plywood) for a harder surface or put on a coat of polyurethane on at least the top. It kind of glues the wood together and stops the wood from splintering if you drag a heavy object across it. Another option is the composite wood that is lots of sawdust held together with lots of glue. They normally compress the top and bottom during curing and that makes for a hard smooth surface. It needs to be thick (like 5/8 to 3/4 inch) and can be used as the top without plywood underneath. That's the way I did mine and it has held up for 25 years of hard use. LDBennett

05-22-2009, 10:26 AM	#6
dsv424 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Garland, Tx. Posts: 279	Re: To seal or not to seal I sealed mine with 5 coats of polyeruthane(its as smooth as a babies bottom) I did this so the surface would be protected and it makes wiping it off a lot easier.

05-22-2009, 12:59 PM	#8
Gene Seward V.I.P. Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Batesville, Arkansas Posts: 477	Re: To seal or not to seal I painted mine with outdoor paint with two coats. Since then I have ran over it a couple more times to make it look better and to yet seal it even more.

05-26-2009, 02:32 PM	#9
GMFWoodchuck Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Binghamton, NY Posts: 1,369	Re: To seal or not to seal I'd seal it just so it's easier to wipe clean.