Question Regarding Polys

1. Anyone tried both Arm-R-Seal Wipe-on Varnish and Minwax Wipe-on Poly? If yes, any thoughts on how they compare?

2. I read that you can make your on Wipe-on Varnish/Poly by combining it 50/50 with Mineral Spirit.
a) Can I do this with both Oil based and Water based products?
b) Can i use Turpentine or your regular Paint Thinner instead of Mineral spirit?

3. What are the difference betwen a Oil based Poly and Water based Poly? (Other than the obvious clean up and the fact that one is oil based and the other one is water based)--- Difference interms of Looks? Durability? Abrasion resistance? Chemical Resistance?

Any comments/answers regarding any of these questions are greatly appreciated :)

Not sure about one but there have been many good reports in here about Minwax Wipe-on Poly. I use it a lot but have never thinned it down. I don't think you need to, it's pretty easy to apply and thin enough as is IMHO.

type Minwax into the search bar at the top of the page

and have a read of this.....

http://www.onlinetoolreviews.com/rev...wipeonpoly.htm

Not sure if I can answer your questions but I have used Minwax wipe on poly and very happy with results - now my preferred finish as per below,as it is easy to apply and I can get the soft 'satin' finish I like.

I started looking for a wipe on poly when I was not happy with the finish on a chess board I made. I used Organoil hard burnishing oil but got 'colour' bleed from the dark squares to the lighter coloured squares and some yellowing. I found Minwax at Bunnings and decided to sand back the board and try again.

With three coats the finish was clearer and no colour bleed, but I could still see some surface marks which may have been due to my application technique. Then got out the Trad Wax and some fine steel wool for a final polish and really pleased with the soft satin finish. I have tried the same technique on a few other items and results have always been as good so now my preferred finish.

Geoff,
Thanks for this info, I've tried Minwax wipe on (gloss) on a small cabinet I made recently. Gave it 3 coats and it came up well ended up using an automotive polish, I think it was Meguires swirl remover from memory to give it a final buffing and it seemed to work ok. I remeber someone else on this board mentioning EEE but didn't get a clear picture about how this turned out so I wasn't willing to give it a go.

Sounds like the trad wax and steel wool are a goer.

I'd be interested in any other methods of final finish/buffing on top of Minwax for glossy or satin if anyone else has had a play??

I wanted a gloss finish to the last jewellery box and used Minwax poly, then EEE and buffed it with a swansdown mop. Beautiful finish.

thanks Gumby, what I was after :2tsup:
Joeyscl - I'll stop jacking your thread now :; - anyone else more knowledgable than me know the ins and outs of a homemade wipe on finish?

I make a lot of picture and memobabillia frames and have always been striving for a better finish on the raw timber I use. I usually sand and stain the timber first and then apply a wax finish applying it with 0000 steel wool and buffing immediately with a lint free cloth. (old T shirt) I apply the wax 3 times in this way and it brings up the timber really well giving a nice smooth silky professional finish.
I have never tried Minwax Poly but from the comments made here it sounds like it is the way to go. Will definitely be trying it on my next project.
I am always willing to learn and try something new.