Restoring the top of my MFT

[Frank Pellow]

Since I want to post two pictures in this thread and can only figure out how to include one picture per post, I am dividing this thread launching post in 2.

(part 1 of 2)

My MFT has had heavy use for a little more than two years and it was beginning to look somewhat "ratty".  I used the top as-is when I got it.  Here is a recent picture of the top.

 

[Frank Pellow]

(part 2 of 2)

A couple of days ago I decided that the top had to be cleraned up in order to go along with the new rolling cart (see the threadhttp://festoolownersgroup.com/index.php?topic=203.0) that now lives under it.  The clean up steps were

(1) Sand off as much of the paint, glue, etc. off the surface as I could.

(2) Fill the holes with Bondo.

(3) Apply 3 coats of Varathane

(4) Apply 3 coats of Johnson Paste Wax.

Here is the result:

 

[bill-e]

My MFT is very new.  Should I be considering sealing it with poly?  Brush on or wipe on?  How about waterlox, would probably build up faster than wipe on poly.  Thanks.

I guess I'm mostly worried about glue.

 

[Frank Pellow]

...
I guess I'm mostly worried about glue.

Bill, that's why I used wax as nthe fianl finish.

 

[Michael Kellough]

Frank, did you put a finish on the other side as well?

 

[Dave Rudy]

I guess I'm mostly worried about glue.

Bill, Jerry Work's suggestion (which I am implementing) is to use butcher paper under glue-ups.  Threads on the old forum discussed finishing the MFT top, with some members advocating finish and others just using it as is.  So far, the butcher paper works fine to protect the surface when needed.

Dave

 

[Mirko]

My MFT is very new.  Should I be considering sealing it with poly?  Brush on or wipe on?  How about waterlox, would probably build up faster than wipe on poly.  Thanks.

I guess I'm mostly worried about glue.

Bill e,

Waterlox is amazing stuff! I use it as an alternitive to spraying on job sites. Two coats rolled on looks just like sprayed laquer.
I was thinking of puting it on my MFT, but I was'nt too keen on it running/dripping into the holes and getting all krudded(sp) up.
If you do apply Waterlox to your MFT could you let me know how it turns out?
I think I will leave it raw for now, then when it gets ratty i'll do what Frank did.

Mirko

 

[Frank Pellow]

Frank, did you put a finish on the other side as well?

No, I just finished the top.  Enentually the whole thing will get flipped and I will statrt over again.

 

[Michael Kellough]

Frank, did you put a finish on the other side as well?

No, I just finished the top.  Enentually the whole thing will get flipped and I will statrt over again.

I ask because it is generally recommended to seal both sides of a panel at the same time to reduce the likelyhood of seasonal warpage. However, with all the holes in the MFT panel this potential problem may be reduced. Let us know how it fares as the season changes.

 

[lynnsr]

I wax mine, and use brown paper. I still get saw cuts in the top ??????

 

[bigbadpig]

Wouldn't finishing and waxing the MFT be a bad thing, because it would get slippery?  I don't think you'd want parts sliding around while cutting then, unless you clamp down everything you cut.

 

[Dan Clark]

I wax mine, and use brown paper. I still get saw cuts in the top ??????

Hmmm...  Use thicker wax!    ;D

 

[bill-e]

Late last night, right before a 3am wakeup to catch a plane, I gave my MFT 2 coats of wiped on full thickness poly.  Even though the poly was thick it got sucked into the MFT like a wipe-on.  Two coats only made it darker, not shiny or slick....When I get back I'll take a closer look, maybe even let a drop of glue dry on it, and report.

 

[Frank Pellow]

Wouldn't finishing and waxing the MFT be a bad thing, because it would get slippery?  I don't think you'd want parts sliding around while cutting then, unless you clamp down everything you cut.

I clamp everything that I saw, route, or glue, on the MFT.

 

[Dave Rudy]

Late last night, right before a 3am wakeup . . .

Bill, it's bad enough when you think of your MFT on the (regular) job, but waking up BEFORE your 3 AM wakeup, dreaming of your MFT and Polly (whoever?)  Is it time for a vacation in a warmer climate?