Comparing Clear Water Based and Oil Based Finishes

Seeing the differences between clear coat finishes on woodworking projects can make a big difference in what you select as a finishing product. In this video we compare water based Satin Varathane against oil base Satin Varathane on Birdseye Maple

[LucidFramess]

thank you . I am an Iranian, I would love to get a carpenter future. I can not very well understand English. But I can learn to work with wood. And also learning English. By your video. Thanks for everything

[helens]

Thanks! You answered my question about yellowing. So, now I know what I want to avoid the yellowing as much as possible.

[knecht]

Thanks for commenting, glad it was of some help. Great to have you with us
Colin

[certainlyitis]

Thanks for making this! I bought an oil based finish by mistake but after watching this I decided to just go ahead and use it instead of returning it for a water based finish. Thanks again! :)

[knecht]

Yes you can use water based finishes for kitchen cabinets, and according to the manufacturers, they will not yellow over time. And I did use water based finish on the kitchen cabinets I made, and I am NOT happy with them. They haven't yellowed, but they are not giving the kind of protection, even after 3 coats, that I was hoping for. I personally would not use this type again in my own kitchen. I think I am going to have to strip them and re-do them.
Hope this helps ...
Colin

[knecht]

Well, I hope this vid was of some use to you, but thanks for commenting, we appreciate you taking the time.
Great to have you with us
Colin

[hayapapaya]

thanks, I wanted to see a live sample of the exact water based polyurethane you were using from Varathane, looks great

[knecht]

Thanks for taking the time to comment, we appreciate it. Great to have you with us
Colin

[edwaggonersr.]

Colin, great video.  I do repairs for a property management company.  Last week I had to replace two birch doors with clear hemlock jambs and casing that a tenant had destroyed.  The original doors had been finished with pre-cat lacquer.  I matched the finish almost perfectly using Varathane, No Odor, water based Polyurethane in semi-gloss.  I was able to brush on two coats much quicker that I could have mask and sprayed two coats of lacquer.  The ten old doors had darkened a bit with age, I expect in a year or so the new doors will too.  I'm sold, water based Polyurethane is fantastic.

[knecht]

Thanks for commenting, great to have you with us
Colin

[Sneezingpanda]

Thank you, this has helped me a lot making a decision on my Desk project. It's been explained to me before but seeing it makes more sense.

[seanseanseanseansean]

Perfect! I'm watching this as I get ready to go to a store and pickup a clear finish.

[john.connor]

Thankyou very much for making this video.
I wasn't quite sure if I wanted to use a water based finish on my entrance door or the oil based. I'm impressed with how well the water based finish looked, time it took to dry and being easier to clean up... the water base is my choice of finish.

[knecht]

Very good question Dennis, and we don't have a facility to perform those kinds of tests so have to rely on manufacturers for that. I am told that the water based products are harder than the oil based, so the water based are less susceptible to wear. All I can go by is some friends who refinished hardwood floors with the water based and after 5 years now, they still look great, but like all things, it depends on where products are used.
Thanks for commenting :)
Colin

[inlaywalnut]

You keep it simple. Thank for the information. It's good to see someone who cares about woodworking... and isn't trying to let people know how good they are.

[knecht]

Hey Pete, thanks for commenting

Colin

[knecht]

Thanks for commenting, we appreciate you taking the time,
Great to have you with us
Colin

[ryangoyette]

Hi. Im so happy im seeing this video now. I just put in a bunch of Maple Ply in my new space, in open doorways, and a large opening between rooms with support posts. I was originally planning on painting it all white, but once we got it up, we really loved the look of the raw wood. I was going to do some coats of polyurethane, (oil based), but was really concerned about the deepening/ yellowing effect it has. Im now learning that polycrylic (water-based) will not yellow the wood. The only other thing i’ve learned is, polycrylic, tends to always have a low sheen to it, even if you get the satin, it will still look more like semi-gloss. Is this true? Any insight on this.
They now offer a Matte finish polycrylic, do you think that will actually give me the matte finish im looking for?

[morrisonreed]

QUESTION ..based on your test is it correct to conclude that the oil goes deeper into the pores of the wood .that would explain why the first coat didn't produce the same lensing effect as the water based did .You add more oil and it begins to out do the water base that sits more on the surface ..?

[MrJproxmysox]

Very helpful! Saved my woodwork assessment on comparing oil and water based finishes.
you legend!