Replies

1. 
   john_c2 | Oct 22, 2023 10:03am | #1

   If you can, spray. Hand applied finishes need to be rubbed out after, and it's a ton of work. Water based finishes spray just fine. I would definitely avoid any waxes and oils on bookcases.

2. 
   hotdogman | Oct 22, 2023 10:05am | #2

   I wipe on Waterlox in several coats and sand with 400 grit or higher for a glass smooth finish. I have had very good results wiping on Waterlox. If I stain the wood I will use shellac as a sealer and then apply the Waterlox. A very beautiful and durable finish and easy to apply.

3. 
   bilyo | Oct 22, 2023 11:00am | #3

   Having spraying experience, you should have no issues with spraying water based products. With only minimal experience, I sprayed water based urethane for the first time last summer. It was a locally available product; nothing special. It sprayed very nicely straight from the can with little or no thinning and, like any product, all I had to do was watch for runs. Give it a try. The low odor and fast dry is well worth it. It drys fast enough to be able to get 3 coats on in a day.

1. 
   user-210490 | Oct 22, 2023 11:39am | #4

   thanks is there a product you found works best?

1. 
   bilyo | Oct 22, 2023 02:11pm | #6

   The product I used was Varathane waterbased urethane purchased at my local home center. I have also sprayed Minwax Polycrylic. Both sprayed easily from the can with a basic inexpensive LVLP gun and a small compressor. Others have expressed similar results using other water based products.

4. 
   gulfstar | Oct 22, 2023 01:14pm | #5

   I have sprayed both Enduro-Var and High Performance gloss and semi-gloss from General Finishes, both are easy to spray .

5. 
   jeff | Oct 22, 2023 06:35pm | #7

   What are you using to spray your finishes? 16 feet of cabinets is a lot to be experimenting with on a new finishing routine whether by gun or brush/roller. I’ve sprayed Renner and Centurion water based urethane and polyurethane. My spraying environment dictates I use water based, but spraying solvent based is much easier if the environment isn’t within the narrower requirements of water based finishes. Also, water based costs substantially more. I spray for the quality and speed of application, but bookcases might not allow this.

1. 
   [email protected] | Jan 19, 2024 03:05pm | #8

   I ,and many of my friends,have been using hand applied OSMO with great results

1. 
   gulfstar | Jan 19, 2024 04:59pm | #9

   That’s oil and wax mixed with mineral spirits.