Calling all woodworkers!

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crabby69

Super Boxer
My husband and I were having trouble finding the furniture we wanted to finish our bedroom and living room. Since my husband has the technology, equipment, and a good source for materials, (he works as a graderman at a local lumber mill), we decided to design and build our own tables and case goods.

So far, he has built a cocktail table, two end tables, nightstands for the bedroom, a few occasional tables, plant stands and shelving units. We do the designs together, he does the carpentry, and I do the finish work (final sanding, staining or painting, and finish coat.)

My question is, has anybody out there had any experience the water based polyurethanes that are on the market? We always go back to the same brand of oil base product. It works well but I hate the clean up. Thus, I tend to work with foam applicators and just throw them away when I'm done.

I know the water based finishes dry faster, clean up easier, have virtually no fumes, and don't yellow with age like the oil based products but I am having a difficult time convincing my husband to try it. He is concerned about durability.

Anyone who can help me with this? No, you don't have to be a professional, I CERTAINLY am not! But we are having a lot of fun. Our next project is going to be a complete fireplace surround and mantelpiece. I think it will be easier to finish that one in place and a water based product would certainly be more convenient in that circumstance.

Please help!!! (How about the member who makes those incredibly cool yard cutouts? :D)

Leta
Mother to Clio, flashy fawn, natural eared female with sox.
 

boxerfan

Boxer Booster
Hi Leta,

My husband does quite a bit of woodworking and has finished many projects with Minwax Polycrylic. This is a water-based finish that comes in gloss, semi-gloss, and satin I believe. It's very easy to work with. It goes on "milky" but dries clear and provides a very durable finish. He uses the 1st coat as a sealer coat and usually ends up applying 3 or 4 coats total. One thing to watch for is when sanding between coats, don't use steel wool because it will leave fibers in the finish and the water-base will cause it to rust.

Bob suggests buying a small can and testing it a scrap piece to see how you like it. He now buys it by the gallon :)!

You can e-mail us if you have any more questions.




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Candy (Ali's Mom)
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Ali born 11/29/99
Reverse brindle, natural ears
 

Jan

Reasonable Moderator
Staff member
I've used some of the water based polyurethanes and they seem to be standing up just fine. They are certainly a lot easier to use.

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Jan
Markus, dark brindle
neutered male, 6 yrs old
 

crabby69

Super Boxer
Thank you Candy and Jan for the ammo! I'll have Steven read your posts when he gets up tomorrow. We already are faithful Minwax users and it's good to hear favorable comments about their products.

I forgot to ask, how does the cost compare? Obviously its cheaper by the gallon, right? The steel wool thing isn't an issue for me, my hands don't get along with it well anyway. I prefer my 320 garnet paper!

Thanks again! Do you wonder why I didn't go to a woodworking site to get this info? Because I trust you guys more no matter what the issue! Besides, I was afraid I would get biased advertising instead of useful advice.

Leta
 
It's funny that you should post this! Willard (fiance') and I just hit a great sale at the NUDE furniture mart. We got a 9 drawer Chester drawer (originally 830 dollars) for 322!!! Great bargan! We sanded it last week, then used an oil based mahogany (with foam applicators) on it. Two coats. We let it dry and then Willard had to leave town on a business trip. It already looks beautiful, but it'll look even better when it's ready. When Willard gets back this weekend, we'll sand it one more time (he says we should even though we've already stained it with 2 coats...is this correct?) and then put two to three coats of Semi-Glossy finish on it.
Then we'll finally be able to use it! YEAH!!!
I wish he knew how to make the endtables, etc...must be nice!
Jennifer :)

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Pharaoh/Fawn/Black Mask
Born 9-8-96

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