markharrison
21st September 2019, 11:39 PM
I needed to finish a single item in wipe-on poly to match another piece that was finished with Minwax. Given that Minwax is no longer an option (I've written about this before (https://www.woodworkforums.com/f9/minwax-wipe-poly-availability-218123?highlight=feast+watsonhttps://www.woodworkforums.com/f9/minwax-wipe-poly-availability-218123?highlight=feast+watson))I tried the FW equivalent. It is not as good but the finish is close enough to the Minwax product.
The problem I have found is that it is still too viscous by comparison to the Minwax product which is really very watery. It's very hard to get a consistent gloss on a flat surface. I added about 10-15% low-odour mineral turpentine to try and see if that helped. It's better, but still not great. I added a bit more thinner to be over 20%. This is almost acceptable.
I am using the gloss product. I don't know about the satin product. I prefer to build up the gloss and then rub it back to a satin with 0000 steel wool and wax.
In summary, I recommend cutting it with 20% mineral turpentine.I think you will be a lot happier with it.
That said, I do not intend to use poly again in the future.
The problem I have found is that it is still too viscous by comparison to the Minwax product which is really very watery. It's very hard to get a consistent gloss on a flat surface. I added about 10-15% low-odour mineral turpentine to try and see if that helped. It's better, but still not great. I added a bit more thinner to be over 20%. This is almost acceptable.
I am using the gloss product. I don't know about the satin product. I prefer to build up the gloss and then rub it back to a satin with 0000 steel wool and wax.
In summary, I recommend cutting it with 20% mineral turpentine.I think you will be a lot happier with it.
That said, I do not intend to use poly again in the future.