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?

2 comments

2 Comments

barbara3991mo 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.

amymartinez1mo 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.