Getting The Most Out Of Wipe-on Poly

[DPB]

A question in Taunton's woodworking forum, Knots, posed by Lou2u (is this our NewLou?) about Minwax Wipe-On Poly brings out some fairly opinionated responses. Well worth a read. http://tinyurl.com/mpn2a

[NewLou]

[NewLou]

Gidday

Which has certainly bought to light a few of the Merits of a Varnish Oil Mix. This is something I'm certainly going to experiment with.

Anyone out there using a VArnish Tung Oil Mix...............would be great to get some pointers on what works and how to go about it.

For a wipe on Oil Varnish what would be a good Ratio of Varnish to Tung Oil to Thinner (Should Mineral Spirits be used or something else?)

Also wondering if anyone could recommend a high quality Varnish & Supplier

REgards Lou

[echnidna]

I've used poly (estapol) with linseed or tung.
Prefer tung but its harder to get here than linseed so thats what i use now.
1 part oil
1 part poly
1 part turps

[TTIT]

Not sure if I'm on the right track here but I love the finish I get from Feast-Watson Scandinavian oil which is an oil with a polyurethane component. Wipe-on, buff off for a satin finish or wipe on thick and allow to dry for a bit more gloss. Was so happy with it, I've only just recently started experimenting with other 'instant' finishes to save time.

[Richardwoodhead]

Oil / Poly mixes are a fantastic alternative to Lacquer, if you're not set up to spraying lacquer but want that beautiful, even, satin finish that enhances the wood grain - but is also water & scratch resistant etc. It's a much slower process than lacquer (which is why lacquer is so popular), but if you have the time, it achieves great results.

You can make your own mixes (I've used 50:50 marine varnish and tung oil, but just about any varnish / oil mix will work. With about 10-20% turps as thinners, if desired). However, Feast Watson make a great oil/poly mix - Floorseal.

Initially, I tried a rag and / or brush application but didn't like it. Then tried spraying and achieved an excellent smooth and even finish. You can spray Floorseal (or any oil/poly mix) as is. But adding 10% turps may help with ease of spraying. Depends on the weather / temp and if you're spraying vertical surfaces.

I use 2 or 3 coats. If it's a flat surface I give it 2 thick undiluted coats, with a fine sand (320 grit, orbital sander) in between coats. If it's a warm day & I can get sunlight onto the work piece - I can spray one coat in the morning and the second about 6 hours later. Otherwise I leave it overnight. If it's a complicated piece with verticle surfaces I will give it 3 lighter coats (with 10% turps for ease of fine spraying) - but still fine (320 ROS) sanding between coats. The last coat should be beautiful as is. Any small blemishes can be hit with Ubeaut EEE ultrashine. But I don't rub down the final coat.

Regards,

Richard

[rsser]

Hi Bob,
www.thewoodworks.com.au
have pure tung oil, mail order - if you can afford it.

[Auld Bassoon]

I agree with Richard, FWs Floorseal does a great job for those projects that you want to look good, but don't want to spend a heap of time on finishing.