How to make a workbench

It’s easy to create this smart and practical work bench with a little bit of help from Resene.

Fun with furniture with Mark Rayner - Project 41

Difficulty level: Moderate

You will need: 19mm MDF cut to size for bench top (ours measured approx 800mm x 1.8m), 50mm self-tapping screws, Clean cloths, Mineral turpentine for washing brushes, Paintbrushes, Paint tin for washing brushes, Paint tray and roller Resene Enamacryl tinted to Resene Grey Chateau, Resene Enamel Undercoat, Resene Quick Dry, Resene Super Gloss enamel tinted to Resene Black, Sandpaper, Screwdriver, Work bench (ours had a pre-painted metal frame with a top that needed replacing).

To get the look: Mark painted the background wall with Resene SpaceCote Flat tinted to Resene Half Dutch White.

Other ideas: To retain a wood grain finish on the work top, use a piece of plywood instead of MDF and apply three coats of Resene Aquaclear.

Step one
Remove the old bench top and lightly sand the metal base to ‘key’ the surface. Wipe off any sanding residue with a clean cloth.

Step two
Apply one coat of Resene Enamel Undercoat to the metal base and allow to dry. Wash brush in mineral turpentine.

Step three
Apply two coats of Resene Black to the metal base, allowing time for each coat to dry. Wash brush in mineral turpentine.

Step four
Lightly sand the piece of MDF, taking care that the edges and corners are smoothed. Wipe off any sanding residue with a clean cloth.

Step five
Apply one coat of Resene Quick Dry to one side of the MDF and allow two hours to dry.

Step six
Apply two coats of Resene Grey Chateau to the primed side of the MDF, allowing two hours for each coat to dry.

Step seven
Fix the metal base to the painted side of the MDF, as shown, using 50mm screws.

Step eight
Turn the work bench up the right way and repeat steps five and six, priming and painting the edges and top of the MDF bench top.

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