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There are so many options when it comes to sealing your refinished furniture. How do I pick the right one?
Here's a quick crash course on sealing your furniture.
In this post I will go over furniture sealants & topcoats:
Types of finishes reviewed in this post:
Water based finishes are ideal to use with painted furniture as most do not yellow the way an oil based topcoat would. Let's talk about a few of my favorites:
Wise Owl's Matte and Satin Varnish is unlike any other water-based top coat. It is made with crystal clear resin to yield serious protection that will not yellow or discolor whites due to the crystal clear technology.
An extra bonus is that it's industrial grade strength so it is suitable for cabinets and high traffic areas. (Although Wise Owl One Hour Enamel already contains a topcoat in its formula)
*Varnish Tip-If you are getting lines when applying your varnish, switch to using a sponge (for example an automotive sponge) for a more clean application.
*Never shake your top coat - it puts air into the top coat and will leave bubbles and an uneven finish. If you do shake your top coat, let it rest until the bubbles have settled completely before using.
*Stir it well before use
*Make sure to topcoat in cooler weather otherwise it may dry fast and will be hard to get a nice clean finish.
**WAXES SHOULD ALWAYS BE APPLIED LAST**
Waxes are designed to repel water and other substances, so you cannot place a glaze or varnish topcoat overtop of wax. You must varnish, wax, or just use your wax as a top coat.You can apply with either a lint free cloth or a 2" palm brush.
Hemp oil wax is all natural beeswax with hemp oil. Its buttery texture promotes smooth and easy application yielding a strong protective finish for projects. Use as a sealant for painted projects and on wood grain as well.
**Salve Can be applied with a lint free cloth or with a 2" palm brush.
**These are only for use with Stained surfaces. DO NOT apply a urethane finish over a painted surface or it will cause it to yellow.**
I Typically use Polyurethane to seal stained table tops. If I am brushing it, I prefer an oil based Polyurethane as it has a slower dry time and you have more time to work with the topcoat. You will need a special brush for this - you will only want to use it for oil based topcoats and you can either throw it away when you’re done, or you can clean it with lacquer thinner and store it. I use water based polyurethanes for stained table tops when I am spraying because I don’t put oil based products through my sprayer.
You can find urethane finishes at most hardware stores.
There are so many options when it comes to sealing your refinished furniture. How do I pick the right one?...