What do you use to cover your work bench?

[Brazer]

What do you use on the bench to cover it when cleaning, etc? I found that the pet training pads are very reasonable. The are super absorbent, with one side plastic, other side soft white pad. I like it when cleaning and working on a firearm, the pad catches anything, pins, springs, crud, and any type of cleaning solvents. Nothing bleeds through, and I don't have to clean the rug on my bench top. If anyone has ever knocked over any Hoppes, Kroil, you know what a mess to clean up. With the pads, they sop up just about anything and contain the mess. All you do is roll it up and throw it away.
Any small parts dropped on the pad don't bounce, they stay put where the are. They are easy to see on the soft white background, for easy pick up.

 

[dsbock]

I use a black rubber Brownell's bench mat.

Works well enough although i would prefer it in a lighter color for the reason you mentioned. A lip or groove around the edge would also be beneficial.

David

 

[Mike McLellan]

Same as Brazer. I lay a "Wee-Wee" pad on a large baking sheet. I tried using felt, but it seems to grab those tiny little springs, such as the sight adjustment plunger springs. Those things are hard enough to handle without having to play tug-of-war with my work bench.

 

[H Richard]

I use carpet samples. I prefer the short nap kind. They are cheap, and often free.

 

[chief38]

My work bench top is 1 1/2" thick (2 pieces of 3/4") press board covered by 1/4" thick piece of Tempered Masonite. The Tempered Masonite is fairly good at not absorbing liquids like solvents and oils but I also lay down about 1/4" thick layer of newspapers before working on or cleaning a firearm.

I have spilled plenty of chemicals over the years but I will say that the newspaper does absorb 98% of the spill and what does manage to get through sort of pools on the Masonite which makes it easy to be wiped up. I follow up with a quick wipe with some Alcohol and other than a slight stain on the Masonite it's pretty much gone. Since this is a work bench and not a table or piece of furniture the stain is a non issue. My work bench top is 17 years old and the Masonite on top is still the original piece so I would say it has stood the test of time.

Chief38

 

[Hapworth]

Old sweat shirts if I'm cleaning.

Tanned leather hide if I'm working.

 

[Nevada Ed]

I use part of an old counter top that "WE" replaced........and keep a few towels close by for clean up and I lay the towels down when taking things apart that might go......
"Pop", zing, bang, rattle, rattle...........dead silence.

I hate it when things hit the floor with the dark patterned carpet.