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An extended family member is refinishing a kitchen table and asked my advice for a durable finish. She had considered a minwax polycrylic product because that is what is easy to find in a big box store. I suggested she do an internet search on arm r seal, but I am concerned that it’s application can be kind of finicky. Is there a DURABLE, EASY TO APPLY brush on finish that a relative amateur could be successful with that I should recommend?
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(10-05-2024, 11:20 PM)BrentDH Wrote: An extended family member is refinishing a kitchen table and asked my advice for a durable finish. She had considered a minwax polycrylic product because that is what is easy to find in a big box store. I suggested she do an internet search on arm r seal, but I am concerned that it’s application can be kind of finicky. Is there a DURABLE, EASY TO APPLY brush on finish that a relative amateur could be successful with that I should recommend?
Rubio Monocoat or Osmo PolyOx are extremely easy to apply. No brush required. Just use a small piece of a white non-woven pad. You need to get back to raw wood, however, to use either product. Both products are very durable, and easy to repair if required down the road.
Otherwise, Arm-R-Seal is my choice for easy to apply and durable. Wipe it on, scuff sand between coats. Or apply the first coat thinned 25% with mineral spirits, then switch to wiping on full strength.
Polycrylic is a distant 10th in durability.
John
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Most any oil based polyurethane will be more durable than polycrilic. The Minwax brand is usually readily available as is the Varathane brand. They may not be as good as some others, but probably easier to find locally.
If the table requires removal of the older finish, please advise her to check to see if the top is veneered. If so, take great care when sanding. It is best to use a chemical stripper and do any sanding by hand with only 220 or finer paper.
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Arm-r-seal is a good choice, if its redially available. 30 miles away for me.
I've had excellent results with Minwax wipe on poly, apply with a small piece of old t-shirt, steel wool/tack cloth inbetween coats.
Ed
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I just remembered about Miniwax Oil Modified Poly. It's a waterborne product, so cleanup is easy. The oil component makes it easy to apply as well as very durable. I sprayed it on a dining table I built last year. Beautiful. My friend applied it with a foam brush to a dining table I built for him 3 or 4 years ago. I was astounded that there were no brush marks. It looked sprayed. He has two boys under 10 years old, but the top still looks like new.
You can buy it at any Sherwin Williams. Not cheap at about $75/gallon, but it's great stuff.
John
