How To Apply Wipe On Poly | Woodworking Finishes

This video shows how I apply a wipe-on varnish finish for woodworking projects. I discuss what a varnish is and how to tell the difference between varnish and a pure oil. I discuss Danish Oil, Tung Oil Finish, and General Finishes’ Arm-R-Seal. Arm-R-Seal is my go-to woodworking finish so I explain how I apply it.

Here are the wipe-on varnish products that I often use:

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[charlescampbell]

This is about the clearest explanation of this complex matter that I’ve done bud

[Mathewsinger]

Hi. Thanks for this video. It’s taken me ages to find a practical video to explain varnishes. Please keep posting!! Thanks

[dwayneford]

Really great video. I've watched a ton of these finishing tutorials and your's is by the far the clearest, most comprehensive video I've ever watched. Thank you.

[captaincoyote]

I had hoped you were going to use some of those different products on the different pieces for comparison....but after watching, I completely get your message on the similarities. I’m retired military And retired law one of my hobbies is restoring garage sale, flea market and curbside finds. I have always preferred a hand rubbed oil finish, but now I am considering a Danish Oil or Arm-R-Seal finish for a turn of the century quarter sawn white oak mission-style chair. So your video was time well spent....and very well put together. You were relaxed, to the point, and obviously knowledgeable. Bravo-Zulu, well done!

[canadianhangover]

This is, by far the best and most helpful-informative videos I’ve seen. Wish I’d had seen this video before I started on my dining set. I’m almost done with the chairs now, they had taken me almost five weeks.. due to not understanding how to apply the polyurethane top coat. I was told by the home improvement store employee to use an expensive brush and oh boy, did I lose so much money and time. I couldn’t find a YouTube video that actually uses a chair for demonstration. Then weeks later, I stumbled upon “wipe on urethane” . ! So I’m making progress now..but no one mention anything about being thin. And like u said, they look plasticky. They were blotchy, and runny.. I had to keep sanding and coating for the last few weeks..yes....weeks...so when it’s time to do the tables I will use ur procedures.

[verkilla]

Really well explained, I've learned a lot! Wish me good luck with my first wipe-on poly desk!

[lindamarshall]

Best video and best explanation of what to do from beginning to end. I feel I can do this after watching this. Well done!

[phonejunky]

WELL DONE!! Your video was very informative and simple to understand...this video deserves ALL thumbs up...how anybody could give it a thumbs down is beyond me....

[jonwikan]

Great video for the beginner woodworker and advanced! Spot on! I would like to add that Formby's Tung oil has absolutely no Tung oil in it, I believe they use Linseed(flax). Mini wax Tung oil finish is the same. If you desire the properties of Tung oil, use either a 100% Tung oil or Waterlox, which is 85% Tung oil and has hardeners and dryers etc...in it to speed up the drying. Daly's Floorfin also has actual Tung oil in it and works great. One other method of applying the first coat(my go to is Arm R seal or Profin which are very similar): liberally apply finish and then sand the finish into the grain using 320-400 wet and dry sand paper and then gently wipe off excess. You have to sand quickly before the finish starts to set up but usually there is time.This method is actually on the can of some finer wipe on varnishes like Profin and it works great. It gets that first coat really even and smooth, especially when you have thirsty wood. I am not sure if the wet sanding knocks down the grain that wants to raise and fills micro pores but it works well. The next coats are applied without the wet sanding as directed. The Bloxygen (argon gas) is a great one. I have saved lots of wipe on this way! Wipe on needs to be thin and opening the can a bunch of times makes it thicker and thicker over time, pretty soon you have a brush on varnish and then into the and don't forget these products can self combust if you throw your rags into the trash. I have seen two devastating fires recently where woodworkers threw a some rags with varnish on them into the trash. One family lost their summer house that they had just renovated and of course varnished the wood work. Luckily the other just started a dumpster fire. cheers!

[TheBrendon]

Yup!
Good video indeed!
Your presentation and explanation is perfect!

[trethtower]

Clearly explained and very helpful. Thanks

[dbf]

Much appreciated - I have a better perspective now.

[marieburgoyne]

This is the best explanation I have ever seen/heard! Thank you!! How do you correct/get rid of the streaks if you get them?

[johnjmorone]

Nice video. I have been a big fan of Formby's Tung Oil finish and bought out the store when I heard MinWax bought them and discontinued the product. (great way to kill the competition). Anyway I have now run out and have been looking for a good substitute that works similarly. Just ordered some Arm-R-Seal and hoping I like it. By the way, I also use 2000 grit and the results are always great. You are the first one I've heard say they do that.

[boblasley]

Your wipe on methodology is very similar to mine. You did a very good job in explaining how to apply it. The world of wood finishing is indeed wide and confusing. Two experts in the field have helped me immensely in beginning to understand it all better. Bob Flexner and Michael Dresdner have both written common sense books and many articles that help clear up some of the mysteries.

[edwardcooper]

I was hoping he'd show samples of the different products

[FennahMakes]

Thank you very much for this video. I can't seem to find Wipe-On polyurethane over here in Holland but it seems like a nice product! Thanks for the video and I love to see more content from you. I subscribed:)

[dadset]

Excellent video. I learned quite a bit from it. Thanks !!

[CubNole]

I have a gallon of Arm R Seal. In the instructions it says to avoid shaking. In the corner of the label, it says SHAKE WELL.

Okay, thanks. Not misleading at all.

[kowal]

Very good explanation, can be done the same way with water based lacquer?