I’m building a desk out of birdseye maple and cherry on top, with a cherry frame and maple panels for the base. I plan on using an oil finish first (clear Danish oil) to enhance the birdseye maple, but want a durable, non-yellowing finish. Can I apply a water-based polyurethane over the oil finish once it has absorbed into the wood?
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Replies
Waterborne poly is picky about what it will stick to, but should adhere to an oil finish that has both had any excess wiped off and is well cured. To be safe, use the sniff test--if you can still smell it wait a while longer.
Dewaxed shellac (Zinsser SealCoat, for example) could also be used as a barrier coat between the two finishes, but you should still wait for the oil finish to cure before applying it, so it is essentially overkill in my opinion.
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