Best finish for MDF worktop?

[bub254]

Anyone ever use finishing paste wax, the type with no oil?  I dont know what difference the not using an oil bse would mke.

 

[Tinker]

Anyone ever use finishing paste wax, the type with no oil?  I dont know what difference the not using an oil bse would mke.

The wax I use is Carnuba.  I have not checked to see if there is any oil in it.  I have used it over oil based urethane and also over mineral oil and wax mixed, over Danish oil and over spar varnish.  When i use mineral oil and wax mixed together, i use canning wax sliced into thin shavings and dropped into the mineral oil in a pan and melted together.  I have then applied to the project and, if it fits, nuke in the kitchen micro wave.  Several applications and each app nuked about 15 or 20 seconds.  I have tried finishing off a couple of times with the carnuba wax, but I don't think that is food safe, so have discontinued that part.  The mineral oil and wax seems to be adequate and will stand up to long use with an occasional wiping with warm water and soft cloth.  If it eventually needs  more finish, an additional application of min oil and canning wax with another nuking.
Tinker

 

[rst]

I use Howard's Feed N Wax, mineral oil with Brazilian carnauba wax and beeswax on my MFT and my butcher blocks.  I like it a lot.

 

[Tayler_mann]

I don't use anything just raw mdf. However, I put butcher paper down before a glue up since I clamp all my glue ups down to my table to hold them flat and than into a known square corner. I also own a 4' x 8' CNC so making new tops costs me $22.00 for the sheet of MDF. IF I were to make a table to last a long time I would do what a friend had done. He laminated melamine to the bottom bored the holes for the Mft top and than uses the raw side for cutting and the melamine side for glue ups. I will say I am still on my first 4' x 8' top that I nade over a year ago. I ruined the one side flipped it and still have another 6-8 months on this side.

If you want to put a finish of some kind on it though. I would use Renaissance wax and put it on with the Rotex.

 

[nickao]

I just use sanding sealer - shellac based. It is the faster simplest way for me and it's very effective. And it's so simple to freshen up whenever need be. It wont make it gorgeous, but it will give it a nice light coat of protection. And if I were to wax or use poly or anything else I would use this first and wax or add the finish over it.

http://www.rustoleum.com/product-catalog/consumer-brands/zinsser/interior-wood-finishes/sealcoat-universal-sanding-sealer

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[slopjock78]

I use Watco Satin Wax on my MFT style outfeed table and on my mdf work surfaces.