LumberJocks Woodworking Forum banner

Water based polyurethane oil based look

2.6K views 8 replies 8 participants last post by  OSU55  
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
If I apply some oil product like Tung oil, seal it with shellac and cover it with water based polyurethane, will I get the same nice look an oil based polyurethane produces?
The reason I am asking is that i can spray waterbased and the surface is much better than wiped on or especially brushed oil polyurethane.
 
#2 · (Edited by Moderator)
The only way to know for sure is to prepare some test panels in the wood you are considering applying the finish to. Make up two panels- one for the traditional oil based poly and one for the oil/shellac/WB poly. My guess is that they will look quite different, most of the WB poly I have used over the years does not add much color to the project, its very clear.
 
#3 ·
Some of the waterborne finishes have a tint to mimic the look of an oil based varnish, but you have to check the label. Even so they don't quite get it (to my eyes). I agree with Tungoil, the only way is to try it and see for yourself.
 
#6 ·
The reason I am asking is that i can spray waterbased and the surface is much better than wiped on or especially brushed oil polyurethane.

- Carloz

Why can t you spray the oil poly?

- RichTaylor
I assume if you're set-up to spray oil based products, you might as well go Pre-Cat Lacquer… my guess is he doesn't have a proper set-up to spray oil based/ lacquer safely. At that point, i'd probably just do wipe on vanish, might be a lot qicker/ easier sans the clean-up.
 
#8 ·
One of the advantages of waterborne poly is that there is no color change, so if you get the color you like with your oil/shellac concoction, it will stay that color with the topcoat. I often do color with various shades of shellac and then he topcoat.
 
#9 · (Edited by Moderator)
I dont spray ob poly due to overspray either, and pre cat laq cant be sprayed in a nonvented area in cool weather, so I moved to wb finishes also. A couple of other options, no need for tung oil:

Just spray shellac. Enough to build a little film. You can get different colors, or use a more pale color and use Transtint for the coloring. The shellac will provide the chatoyance, or shimmer, that wb doesnt have.

For more intense color, Target Coatings WR4000 is a wb oil emulsion stain base that provides some chatoyance. Can be colored with Transttint or purchased in a color. I usually then spray a toner coat of tinted shellac to even out and give more intensity, as well as more chatoyance.