As its only a mild steel on mdf wouldnt it be easier to knock up a new top/tops and spray them with 2k clear primer? you could let them cure and swap them over whenever.
Bob
I'm sure one of the marine suppliers, jotun or sherwin williams would have something clear and hardwearing.
Or perhaps a coatings supplier like resimac
bright zinc plate?
furniture wax ,,, and give it a buff
I used Plastikote clear lacquer for my bare metal furniture legs, so far so good. https://www.toolstation.com/plastikote-quick-dry-clear-lacquer-spray-paint/p15801
If I'm going to change the appearance by coating, which may happen eventually then I'd probably use some sort of metal powder paint to give a nice appearance.
Some converters produce something close to a millscale finish (some turn blue however as I’m sure you’re aware). I appreciate you may not want to faff about doing tests etc. though!
wax it too ,,,Yes, but what about the worktop?
Yeah it's usually quite uniform though, the scale on these worktops is really thin and gives this really nice thermal bluing gradients, hard to photograph but looked fantastic when new. (Scuse mug ring!)
View attachment 391871
I was going to suggest 2k direct to metal clearcoat such as
and roller it on with a foam or microfibre roller, but I looked at the Everbrite website and I think what you already used should have done the job.CA LAK DIRECT ADHESHION 2K CLEARCOAT (30-00-30) [WP-30-00-30] - £94.43 : Wheel Paints
Wheel Paints CA LAK DIRECT ADHESHION 2K CLEARCOAT (30-00-30) [WP-30-00-30] - CA Lak is a a premium HS 2K clearcoat system with DIRECT TO ALLOY ADHESION PROPERTIES ideal for polished alloy surfaces or Diamond Cut Rims Surface must be completely free from waxes and polish for best results...www.wheelpaints.co.uk
You said you tried polyx before on the worktop, is it possible you didn't fully clean it off from the pores of the metal before using the Everbrite? What method did you use to clean?
I doubt it, far too soft, it'd scratch up and look a mess in weeks - I'd be trying one of the ceramic automotive topcoats tbfh.
It's self healing though? Wave a heat gun over it and magic happens.
Also I have some 3m anti scratch film, it's not soft at all.
Only for small scratches and wash marring. I think you're going to struggle a lot more with people leaning on it with rings, keys, clothing studs and buttons, etc.
It's really soft comparatively, how do you think they stretch it for coating cars/planes, etc? It's only a soft urethane.
It also doesn't tend to bond well to surfaces that aren't smooth and spotlessly clean - if you put it on poor stonechipped paintwork for example it'll start to bubble in temperature changes over time.
I'd also be very worried about moisture blooming rust under the edges too and lifting it there.