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I went with a water based topcoat on a 1920s oak table and everyone said I was wrong
The other finishers in my shop were all telling me to use an oil based poly for that 'real' look, but I tried a new water based one from a brand called ArmorSeal. It went on super easy, dried in two hours, and after three coats it looks crystal clear, not plastic-y like they said. Has anyone else had a good result with water based on old wood, or did I just get lucky?
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barbara3996mo ago
You said it looks crystal clear and not plastic-y, which is the whole point. The old guard is stuck on amber tones, but clarity shows off the wood grain. You didn't get lucky, you got a good modern finish.
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amymartinez6mo ago
Look at any classic piece of furniture and you'll see the amber tone adds warmth and depth that clear finishes just can't match. That plastic-y look barbara399 hates is often from a bad application, not the color itself. A clear modern finish can make wood look flat and cold, like a lab sample instead of something with life. The old guard prefers amber because it shows off the wood's character over time, not just its raw grain.
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alexlewis4mo ago
Changed my mind completely after trying it myself. I was dead set on oil based for years because that's what everyone said to use, but water based on my own dining table came out way better than I expected. The wood still looks warm and rich, just without the yellow tint I used to think was mandatory.
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