Replies

1. 
   HowardAcheson | Apr 29, 2002 07:10pm | #1

   First, Watco is an oil/varnish mixture, not a wipe-on varnish. An oil/varnish is made by mixing equal parts of varnish, boiled linseed oil, and mineral spirits. It is a soft, penetrating finish that offers minimal protection.

   Wipe-on finishes--I am not familier with Fabulon--are generally a thinned varnish made by mixing equal parts of varnish and either mineral spirits or naphtha (Formby's Tung Oil finish and Minwax Wiping Varnish are examples). Once the solvent has evaporated, it is the same as standard varnish, only you have a thinner film. It takes 2-3 coats of a thinned varnish to give an equivilent film thickness to one full brushed on coat.

   I hope that answered your question.

1. 
   alexlisa | Apr 29, 2002 07:31pm | #2

   I've used the Watco wipe-on varnish over watco danish oil finish with good success. I let the oil cure for about a week, then put on 3-4 coats of the wipe-on stuff. I like it because there are no brush marks or dust problems and it ends up looking like a hand-rubbed finish (which it is, I suppose) rather than a thick surface plastic-looking coat.

2. 
   HowardAcheson | Apr 30, 2002 12:31am | #3

   Opps sorry, I didn't know that Watco was producing a wipe on varnish finish.

   One thing you might consider is making your own wipe on varnish. All you need to do is to mix your favorite varnish 50/50 with mineral spirits of, better yet, naphtha. The naphtha will get tack free faster allowing the application of subsequent coats. No point is paying full price for a "watered down" product like wiping varnish.

3. 
   gabramshe | May 01, 2002 01:54am | #4

   Howie, thanks for the info. Fabulon is a brand of polyurethane for finishing floors among other things and in no way is applied or looks like a wiping poly. I was just looking for the 'technical' difference. As far as Watco, I like to apply the Danish Oil before using the wipe on also.