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hi i have a black kitchen bench top. can i get ply or mdf, nail glue it down and stain it? Will it work? I want to stain it walnut
Hello @michelleparry
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us and thanks for sharing your question about your benchtop.
It is possible to cover your benchtop with a timber benchtop if that is what you are after. Instead of plywood, I suggest having a look at the Specrite 2200 x 600 x 26mm Timber Multi Use Pine Panel if you are after a quick affordable cover. The multi-use panel has a much better surface than plywood and can be stained to whatever colour you are after.
It will be necessary to cover the front of the benchtop with another piece of the multi-use panel to give it that single solid look. You'll also need a benchtop joiner and when putting pieces together. Before you begin, I suggest planning it out on paper first so that you can see where the joins will be and how you'll cut the panel for the sink and cooktop.
However, as an alternative you also have the option of changing the entire benchtop with a new one. I recommend visiting your local store and speaking to the in-store kitchen specialist and getting a quote for your benchtop. Please make sure to measure your benchtop before you proceed to the store. I've placed a sample image below to give you an idea of what it might look like when you cover the surface of your benchtop with another benchtop.
If you have any other question we can help with, please let us know.
Eric
Good Evening @Savya01
Im sure @EricL will be back in a sec but will try and fill in your questions 
1) Cover the front with another piece ? I assume this is that small bar at the front ? Also why is that needed ?
A1) Yes I would think thats what @EricL means, its to make it look tidy and blend in to the bench. An overall smooth look
2) for bechtop joiner, where will these go ? which pieces to put together ? Is it the two wooden pieces on the slab and on the front ?
A2) I would think the joiner pieces go on the underside of the new timber and flush with it. Either a metal piece secured before the whole lot gets glued in place or a timber dowl type deal.
3) How does the timber on the top stay without moving or risk of moving ? does it need to screwed somewhere ? How to make sure it stays there and does not move when pushed of something else ?
A3) I would suspect it would be glued or scews up from underneath through the laminate benchtop you already have.
I would also consider replacing the whole top as a cheaper option with a new timber top using the timber that @EricL has mentioned. The timber looks great.
Here is what I did when I went down the path you want with putting a new top over an existing bench. Note I used pine which is a softwood and not suitable for a kitchen bench as it will mark easily. The parts with the bench are in the second half of the project Front door and entrance foyer update
Dave
Good Evening @Savya01
No probs, will try to sort out my description
-Here is a link to Bench top joiners that show a few different styles of devices that you use to join two halves of the bench together.
-Here is a video of how the "joiners" are installed. Note that it isnt for the same type of timber benchtop that @EricL has suggested but towards the end it shows how the joiners are installed. How to cut and butt™ benchtops | kaboodle kitchen The bench that we have both suggested is thinner but I am explaining how the benchtops can be joined.
Whoops, I hadnt realised its a stone benchtop. Then it would be a glue to secure the timber to the stone. Tho I would strongly recomend to have a look at just replacing the existing benchtop (stone) with a timber one.
If you stop into the Bunnings kitchen show room area I know they can help you out with sizing. Take along your measurements and some photos. There is also this service supplied by Bunnings if you are are a little unsure Kitchen Design Consult
Dave
Hi @Savya01,
A warm welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, it is fantastic to have you with us.
Thank you @Dave-1 for jumping in and helping out.
1. Yes, this is the small piece along the front. It is not 100% necessary, but it will give you a much cleaner finish that conceals the existing benchtop and makes the timber appear to be one solid piece.
2. The benchtop joiners Eric was referring to would be something like a dowel or biscuit joiner roughly every 300mm along the edge of the benchtop in the locations of the arrows below.
3. If you couldn't screw up through the existing benchtop, you would have to glue the benchtop down with a suitable adhesive for the existing benchtop. In the case of a stone benchtop, this Sikaflex®-118 Extreme Grab Construction Adhesive would be suitable.
Ultimately, the best option is to replace the benchtop, but if you couldn't do this for whatever reason, this would be a way of updating the look without removing the benchtop.
Let me know if you have any further questions.
Jacob
