What hand applied finish would you suggest for a 2′ x 6′ x 18″ bookcase with one fixed shelf. Is there a wipe on or brushed that doesn’t require super careful application? I need something that will give a reasonable amount of protection but can go on pretty quickly. Thanks
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Replies
Waterlox can be wiped or brushed. It does require careful application. If you don't like that, maybe Osmo.
Lots of choices, but probably one of the easiest and quickest of the film finishes while, at the same time, having pretty good durability is a water based urethane. They can be brushed, wiped, or sprayed. As always, the oil based polyurethane finishes are also pretty easy, but not quite as quick because that take longer to dry. They, of course, are very durable and easy to apply with either brush or wiping. Waterlox would also be a good choice for both durability and ease of application. I have no experience with the newer "hard wax" finishes like Osmo, but I understand they are pretty good.
Two coats of Sealcoat dewaxed shellac. Dries super fast. Then two coats of General Finishes High Performance water based poly, in flat. All four coats can be done in a day if you start early. If you use a shinier finish you'll have more work rubbing it out in the corners. With the flat, no rubbing is necessary.
I'd avoid any oil finish on a book case.
Osmo. It's literally the easiest finish in the world. Just the old Mr. Miyagi wax on, wax off. Looks, feels and smells fantastic. Two coats ideally but TBH most of the time it looks fine with just one. Will provide all the protection any bookcase needs, but if someone is an idiot and causes damage, repair is easy. Just sand a little and reapply - watch the damage disappear.
+1 on osmo or similar hard wax oil. Other than typical surface prep it is nearly idiot-proof (wipe it on, wait a few minutes, wipe it off). Plus, no dust nibs to worry about.
Shellac alone is more than fine for a bookcase. You'll always be able to repair it but you'll rarely need to. And when you do, you can walk around to all of you pieces with shellac on them every several years and probably correct anything on all of them in 10 minutes combined.
Rubio. It doesn't get easier.
I think Rubio is far superior to Osmo.