Water Based Oil-Modified Polyurethane is ideal for use on all interior bare or stained wood surfaces including furniture, cabinets, doors and floors. Please see this forum thread. How would one be better than the other? This color difference is less noticeable over a stained hardwood floor, but an oil based poly will still exhibit an amber hue that will continue to darken over time. High quality water based polyurethanes is considered by many homeowners & flooring professionals to be equally durable. Can I apply water-based polyurethane over an oil based stain? usually yes— I do it all the time on my hardwood floors. Oil-based Polyurethane. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. In my opinion, this is the largest benefit of water based polyurethane. Of course, wait for each coat to dry before … I'd like to use a water-based polyurethane over a staircase I stained last night with a Sherwin Williams oil-based stain to avoid yellowing. Water based polyurethane, or polycrylic as it is sometimes called, is a vastly different product than oil-based polyurethane. Use a clean brush for each coat. Advantages of water based polyurethane: 1. Oil-based poly darkens over time, giving your wood darker amber hues. BUT always test it first using a scrap of wood. Don’t confuse dry time with curing time which can take up to 1 month depending on conditions. Woodworking Myth: Never, ever put a water–based finish on top of an oil–based finish.. not only acceptable to use a water–based finish over and oil finish – provided you do.I use the General Finish High Performance Polyurethane top coat. Not all paint thinners are suitable for oil-based polyurethane finishes. Water-based polyurethane contains lesser Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) than does oil-based polyurethane. Oil-based: Turns slightly amber, which warms up a wood's color. There are 16 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. The water based polyurethane (left) is lighter and duller than the oil based … Some of these water-based finishes are not for use over lacquer or shellac. Oil based polyurethane lasts longer than water based. Short answer: yes. Water-Based Polyurethane. 8 to 10 years ago, I used to recommend oil based polyurethane over water based poly. Shellac works well because it binds to water-based and oil-based polyurethanes while keeping the two separated. A great finish to try is ZAR brand ULTRA Max – a waterborne oil modified polyurethane. It can be applied over oil-based stains like Minwax® Wood Finish™ or Minwax® Gel Stain . If the surface is cool to the touch, it's not dry. Finally, water-based poly dries a lot faster, giving dust less time to settle out of the air into your finish. 8 to 10 years ago, I used to recommend oil based polyurethane over water based poly. Spray lacquer is commonly used on new furniture and in new construction. Make sure that you use the right kind. Water Borne Polyurethane Water borne polyurethane goes on clear and has a low luster. These cookies do not store any personal information. Let’s cover a few basics before discussing which is best for specific wood types. Shellac works well because it binds to water-based and oil-based polyurethanes while keeping the two separated. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. To quote from a Minwax representative: SUBJECT: Minwax Water Based Polyurethane Over Minwax Wood Finish Stains Even if the water-based polyurethane was applied after 1978, if the surface you are working on predates 1978, don't sand the surface until you have taken precaution for lead-based paint and stain. Every day at wikiHow, we work hard to give you access to instructions and information that will help you live a better life, whether it's keeping you safer, healthier, or improving your well-being. In terms of durability, oil-based polyurethane has its water-based counterpart beat. This will help you spot any bubbles or unevenness. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. The stain was color matched to our new hickory floors, which are stained a medium-dark true brown (no yellow). Less expensive than water-based polys. Click to see full answer Consequently, which is better water based polyurethane or oil based polyurethane? Oil-Based Polyurethane Pros. An oil based polyurethane will continue to amber and darken over time, while water based poly will remain clear for the lifetime of the hardwood floor. Product Options. Oil-based products also dry more slowly than water-based ones, giving you more time to work. It is also virtually transparent, where as oil-based polyurethane has a slight yellow hue to it. wikiHow's. Water-based polyurethane contains lesser Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) than does oil-based polyurethane. Oil-based polyurethane has a more distinct odor and takes a longer time to dry than water-based ones. What lasts longer on wood, penetrates, Etc. Drying time: Water based polyurethane can be recoated in 4-6 hours. (I'm not sure whether that wide compatibility also includes lacquer and catalysed finishes.) Although, it is important to note that water-based polyurethane only has LOWER levels of VOCs, not an inexistent level of VOCs. Oil-based polyurethane can withstand extreme temperatures which makes it a good choice for exterior surfaces and furniture. By using our site, you agree to our. An oil based polyurethane will continue to amber and darken over time, while water based poly will remain clear for the lifetime of the hardwood floor. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published, This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. This is ideal if you want the natural color of your wood to remain constant. But, now due to all the improvements and added advantages to water borne polyurethane, my answer for whether to use oil or water based polyurethane really depends on the look/stain color choice, budget and type of … Because water based polyurethanes only contain 30-35% solids (vs. oil based contain 45-50%) solids, you will need to add more coats of water based poly. Water Borne Polyurethane Water borne polyurethane goes on clear and has a low luster. A polyurethane finish can prolong the life of paint and prevent ultra violet rays from causing it to fade. Any dust will get caught and embedded in the finish. Today though, water based polyurethane has evolved with better formulations that are equally durable as oil based polyurethane. Oil-based polyurethanes will cause these wood colors to have a yellow tone that gets worse over time. You may apply the Minwax Water Based Polyurethane over a fully cured Minwax Wood Finish Stain (oil-based). This can help benefit the environment significantly. Even if the water-based polyurethane was applied after 1978, if the surface you are working on predates 1978, don't sand the surface until you have taken precaution for lead-based paint and stain. What lasts longer on wood, penetrates, Etc. Water-based Polyurethane vs Oil-based Polyurethane Water based polyurethane is much lower in toxicity than its oil-based counterpart, and produces significantly less odor. Jim Carroll explains why it’s not only acceptable to use a water-based finish over and oil finish – provided you do it correctly – but that it can be the best solution when you want to bring out the natural character and color of … Dries more slowly than water-based polys, so there's a longer wait between coats. This color difference is less noticeable over a stained hardwood floor, but an oil based poly will still exhibit an amber hue that will continue to darken over time. Plan on using 2 to 3 coats; some surfaces may need a total of 4. It can be applied over oil-based stains like Minwax® Wood Finish™ or Minwax® Gel Stain . Your support helps wikiHow to create more in-depth illustrated articles and videos and to share our trusted brand of instructional content with millions of people all over the world. Oil-based polyurethane can withstand extreme temperatures which makes it a good choice for exterior surfaces and furniture. Because there are less solids in water-based poly, four coats may be needed as opposed to three coats of oil-based poly. I just finished a wood floor with oil based polyurethane.I only have one coat. This type of finish isn’t as warm or brilliant as the oil-based. Second, polyurethane is not the best choice for painting over lacquer finishes. There are some situations where water-based polyurethane is the necessary choice. Dewaxed shellac is unusual in being compatible with both water- and oil-based finishes, and in fact is sometimes used as an "adapter" layer between those. If you are using oil-based polyurethane and would like a very thin coat then use a synthetic paint pad instead of a lamb's wool applicator. Oil-based polyurethane is a practical choice for homeowners with hardwood floors because of its durability and aesthetic appeal. Keep the room as clean as possible. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. It has a more depth - both in color and shine and it looks the way we expect hardwood to look. As an amateur when it comes to all things painting, I didn’t know there is a difference which led to much confusion and frustration. Finally, water-based poly dries a lot faster, giving dust less time to settle out of the air into your finish. It can also help bring out the beauty of wooden surfaces with the downside being it leaves a light-yellow tint. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/8c\/Use-Oil%E2%80%90Based-Polyurethane-over-Water%E2%80%90Based-Polyurethane-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Use-Oil%E2%80%90Based-Polyurethane-over-Water%E2%80%90Based-Polyurethane-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/8c\/Use-Oil%E2%80%90Based-Polyurethane-over-Water%E2%80%90Based-Polyurethane-Step-1.jpg\/aid9049980-v4-728px-Use-Oil%E2%80%90Based-Polyurethane-over-Water%E2%80%90Based-Polyurethane-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"