Replies

1. 
   SEBDESN | May 29, 2004 05:33am | #1

   I just finished a kitchen with all pre cat...You can't tell it from clear non cat lacquer...It needs a very (underline very) good respirator. really strong smell...It is just like regular lacquer, just catalyzes in a month or so, to be bullet proof.

2. 
   Paul_Snyder | May 30, 2004 11:00pm | #2

   gizzo,

   Waterborne finishes don't give wood the same warm/wet look that solvent-based and oil-based finishes do. The waterborne finishes that come the closest to the look are the oil-modified waterborne finishes from Target Coatings (www.targetcoatings.com).

   If you're not using one of Target's oil-modified finishes, there are a couple ways you can warm up the wood before applying the waterborne finish; you can start with a coat of de-waxed shellac or you can use a thin coat of oil or oil-base finish first. With waterborne finishes, de-waxed shellac is usually recommended to promote good adhesion. For the most natural color, use one of the grades of blonde shellac - some are a little more amber than others. You can use Zinsser's "Seal Coat" which is dewaxed or mix your own from flakes. The alternative is to use an oil-base product on the wood before the waterborne finish. You can use Minwax "Natural" stain, danish oil, thinned varnish/polyurethane, linseed oil, tung oil, etc. Just make sure the oil-base product is thoroughly dried before you topcoat with the waterborne finish.

   Paul

3. 
   Joe_Fusco | May 31, 2004 03:59pm | #3

   gizzo,

   A coat of shellac will help with just about any waterborne finish whether if it's oil-modified or not. Fuhr and Van Technologies also make very good oil-modified waterborne coatings.

   This is an example of how the wood (in this case mahogany) looks with (right side) and without (left side) a coat of shellac.

   View Image

   You can find out more about the products from Fuhr at waterbornefinishes.com

   View Image