What are the key differences between a water-based polyurethane and a oil-based polyurethane? Sure they share a slot of similar characteristics but the chemical makeup, performance, odor, and appearance are factors you need to … Water or oil-based polyurethane that's been sitting on a shelf and has skinned over can often still be used for natural finishes, as long as the liquid underneath is in good condition. When applying polyurethane to floors, you may need to apply additional coats every two years or so. Woods with a hint of yellow in them already, such as pine, fir and ash, become even yellower with an oil-based … What is Polyurethane? Since refinishing wood floors involves multiple coats of polyurethane, this means that the total time of your refinishing job is longer with the oil-based. It’s common alkyd varnish made with some polyurethane resin added. Oil based stains are somewhat more water resistant than the water based finishes. If the acetone beads, it is most likely a polyurethane coated wood. Does it smell like alcohol, oil, or almost not smell? Drip a drop or two of water on the surface; let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes. Usually, water based jobs can be done in 2 days and you can walk on it that night; oil based can take 3-5 days (pending on humidity) and you need to wait at least 24 hrs before walking on them. Below is an easy way to to tell which type of paint is already existing on a wall. For protection, just using Stain alone isn’t enough. For a lighter wood, like oak, a water-based polyurethane may leave the floor boards too light, making the amber glow of an oil-based polyurethane a better choice. If the oil absorbs into the wood, the finish is likely oil. )but not Polyurethane….one Guy said to try , as he had done, pouring a small amount of Linseed Oil on the surface, which would spread , and exclude the air, … You need to lightly sand painted cabinets to prepare the wood to ensure the polyurethane adheres properly. If it beads, the finish is shellac, polyurethane, lacquer or varnish. Oil-based stain allows for more workable time than water-based stain before it dries and is best used to rejuvenate old, used timber. polyurethane. The key to remember is to remove any trace of contaminates from the floor.This includes oil soaps, floor polishes and waxes. However, it also “flattens out” the wood grain, and unlike oil-based finishes, does not enhance the grain. If you take a Cotton ball dampened in rubbing alcohol, rub it across the surface in an out of the way area. Oil takes a long time to cure. Oil-based polyurethane is simply a type of varnish. However there are new clear finishes out that are water based, so I am assuming that you just called it poly as a generic term. While water-based paints achieve a lower sheen finish, water-based paints can typically maintain this sheen level over a longer period of time. Water-based is a great choice if you want the natural wood look to shine through, as is the case with woods like maple. Protects and adds beauty to interior wood surfaces including woodwork, furniture, doors, cabinets and floors. When should there be one used over another (for a given project)? Good afternoon. If the first ingredient is water, it is a water based moisturizer. Then is most likely oil based. Oil-Based Polyurethane Pros. Water based polyurethane, or polycrylic as it is sometimes called, is a vastly different product than oil-based polyurethane. If varnish coats the surface, removal methods are the same as polyurethane removal, which is using a paint and polyurethane remover. Contain 45 to 50 percent solids, which creates a more protective finish. Water-based polyurethane finishes are easy to apply due to their thin consistency. That means that it’s water-based. Winner: Oil Based Polyurethane (+1) Number of Coats Available This finish dries quickly and produces slight odors in comparison to oil-based finishes. If so, which brands are recommended? This video is unavailable. Oil-based paints can achieve a higher sheen level when applied due to the makeup of the paint; however, the sheen does become duller over time. Minwax® Water Based Oil-Modified Polyurethane combines superior durability and the warm look of traditional polyurethane with the convenience of a water-based finish. Finally, water-based poly dries a lot faster, giving dust less time to settle out of the air into your finish. As far as putting the oil over the water based, you can do this. Water and oil based polyurethane products can vary widely in quality according to the amount of actual polyurethane in the product. They are also very durable now and they dont yellow over time like oils do. Due to this, by sprinkling a little water onto the stained area you can tell if the stain is water or oil based. Oil-based polyurethane only requires around two to three coats since it contains 45 to 50 percent of the solids that create the protective finish. Water-based polyurethane has all the benefits of the oil-based ones, but it dries a lot faster and the odor is not as distinct. If you already laid down a water-based finish and decided to go for an oil-based one, do not fret. How would one be better than the other? I would like to know if water-based polyurethane is as hard a finish as oil-based poly. If a small amount of linseed oil applied in an inconspicuous area beads, rather than absorbs, then it is probably not an oil finish and is likely shellac, lacquer, varnish or polyurethane. Oil-based polyurethane will turn a light amber color with age whereas water-based stays clear. If the finish turns white, wax coats the surface. Polyurethane is tough enough for kitchen tables and cabinets, bathroom vanities, walls, doors, floors, all types of furniture and virtually any woodworking project. Also if you can clean it off ur hands with water than you know its not oil base. In general, most flooring professionals will tell you that oil based polyurethane is more durable than water borne poly. Odor If the finish comes off, shellac coats the surface. This primer does contain dimethicone, which is a silicone, but it’s very low on the list, which means that it contains a very small amount of silicone. Lower in odor than traditional solvent-based polyurethanes. If it is poly, it is oil based. Murphy's oil soap and the like will prevent new finish of any kind from properly adhering _____ Water-based polyurethane will give off little if any odor compared to oil-based poly—a real issue if your finish room happens to be in your basement. Wood that is gray, white or light looks better with a clear coat, i.e., a water based finish. 1. Leaves an amber glow and requires fewer coats than water-based polyurethane. That is because most water borne polyurethanes are inferior. (For a red-oak floor or a stained floor, use either type of finish.) A good rule of thumb: for every coat of oil based polyurethane, you may need to apply at least two coats of water based polyurethane. Over 20 years we have used most brands of both Oil and Water based finishes. If it does, then you have an oil based stain. Water based polyurethane: If you want your floor to stay the same color, choose water-based polyurethane. Water beads. The floors are obviously cured totally .This means that you can put oil or water based finish on top. On another Site , I looked at, which was aimed at Varnish which was Oil Based, (Traditional Boat stuff ! Oil based polyurethane or Water-borne polyurethane…. Smell. HOWEVER, if you are using a top notch brand, such as Bona Traffic HD, this is not true In this case, they are EQUALLY as durable. Water-based varnish does not amber over time, and keeps the color of your wood truer than an oil-based finish would. Higher quality products contain more polyurethane which give longer lasting durability. Going for the cheaper water based products will likely result in less durabilty & longevity. The two different finishes are created to bond to hardwood in a very different manner. In Alberta Canada. If you want to preserve the creamy-white look of maple, for instance, use waterborne polyurethane. If the first ingredient is an oil, such as jojoba oil or sweet almond oil, it is an oil based moisturizer. Durability. dont underestimate water based polys tho. Does it feels oily to the touch? I am Shawn with Wildrose Hardwood Refinishing Ltd. Advantages of water based polyurethane: 1. Alkyd is the resin used in almost all varnishes and oil-based paints. The water in water based polyurethane tends to “react with the grain” more, so you often need to apply more coats to achieve a smooth, finish. When painting over old paint, it is important to determine if it is oil-based or water-based so you can properly paint over it the first time. Oil-based products are exceptionally rare. The biggest difference between the two is the look. They are formulated now to be very good products. Oil-based vs. Water-based. In my opinion, this is the largest benefit of water based polyurethane. The polyurethane resin adds scratch, heat, solvent and water … 2. Once you start to apply an oil based finish, you would not want to utilize water based. Less expensive than water-based polys. You will need to apply a top coat of clear polyurethane or varnish like Cabot’s Cabothane Clear Water-Based or oil-based to seal and protect the furniture. Touch. Use a clean cotton swab dampened with acetone, and apply in an inconspicuous spot. You can easily tell if a moisturizer is water or oil based by looking at the ingredient list. Rub a small amount of linseed oil, using the cotton swab, into an inconspicuous spot on the furniture or trim. Thus, because this primer contains much more water (and other ingredients) than silicone, it is water-based. If you paint water-based paint over an oil-based paint, peeling and streaking might occur. You can tell if the paint is water, oil or alcohol based by analyzing several characteristics. Check the remaining material to make sure it's clear and particle-free. Water-Based Polyurethane. Woodworkers mainly use either oil-based or waterborne polyurethanes. You can use a bristle brush or foam brush to apply the finish. Simply wait for a minute and see if the water beads up. Watch Queue Queue. We’ve given some key points to consider when making your decision.Oil based poly is simply, more durable and lasts about twice as long as water based polyurethane. There are many factors to think about when deciding on the finish of your hardwood floor. What lasts longer on wood, penetrates, Etc. Water based polyurethane dries faster. Luckily, there are ways around this when it comes to applying finishes. Oil vs water based polyurethane. Forum Responses I have heard mixed info on this, but I have recently switched to water-based poly almost exclusively. Watch Queue Queue With oil-based, you typically have to wait until the next day to add another coat of polyurethane, but water-based polyurethane can be recoated in as soon as 2-3 hours. 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