MFT Surface protection

[ChicagoMike]

I just purchased a MFT. I tend to do alot of work outside. I usually have some protection from rain and the like but just in case. What are your reccomendations for a surface protectant on the MDF?
From rain, sweat, coffee/beer rings?

 

[Michael Kellough]

I don't have a good answer but this seems to be a good place to suggest eXtira as a replacement top or homemade MFT for outside use.

 

[monte]

Mike,

Welcome to our little club.

If you want to treat the actual mft top you have, I would treat both sides with a water base exterior sealer a couple of times.

Roll it on, a light sanding in-between coats.

(I wouldn't be too concerned about getting a coverage on the hole sides)

That will take care of the sweat and the beer rings.

But you are going to make cuts on it, which will give you open "tracks".

And then there is the rain........

Get a barbecue cover & be disciplined in keeping it on when not in use.

Roger

 

[Benjamin Miner]

Pat Warner, in one of his books on routers, recommends MDF for router table tops. He goes on to recommend treating the MDF with several coats of Watco. The oil is drunk up by the fibers, which impart a masonite-like toughness to the material. I only have 2 cuts in the top of mine - where I cross cut and where I cross cut at 45 degrees. You could easily make those in advance and then apply the oil.

Probably won't give you protection in a real cloudburst, but I'd wager it will buy you a couple of minutes to cover up in an average rain.

 

[Per Swenson]

I responded to this question before I got here to Mike in a PM.

We use seal cote, why? Frankly we have a ton of it.

Pat sez use  oil, I suppose you could.

I am not familiar with watco, I know sheltered, thats me.

But I would shy away from a oil only due to the possibility of transfer

to unfinished wood and finish inhibition.

You know me, I hate inhibition.

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Per

 

[ChicagoMike]

Thank you all. I appreciate all of your responses.

 

[dirtydeeds]

i dont bother with surface protection on the mft

to me the top is totally expendable

i simply change it when its too bad

too bad, its just a judgement

once it was done just because i had an offcut that would fit