Best Top Coat Over BLO?

[TracyP]

I am going to finish some ash end tables with BLO and was wondering what would the best top coat to put over it. I would like to spray it. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I have gotten some suggestions of poly or lacquer. I want to darken the wood a little but not a great deal.

:help:

 

[DaveO]

Well there is about a million answers to your question which will then raise a few hundred more questions.
Oil based polyurethane is probably going to be one of the most durable finishes you can apply in a home shop without special equipment. But it isn't easily repairable. Water based poly is much easier to spray in a home shop and offers good durability. Lacquer is great but I don't recommend spraying it unless you have the proper equipment. Water based lacquer takes some of that danger away. A non-poly varnish like Waterlox Gloss or Original S/F is a great choice for durability and repair-ability. General Finishes Arm -r -Seal is another excellent non-poly varnish with great protection and repair-ability. Also Behlens Rock Hard Table varnish is one of the most durable.
I just finished using GF Polyacrylic, and sprayed it for the first time. I am sold on it. I applied in in an enclosed shop and didn't get high from the fumes, it leveled really well and provided a nice durable finish without much color change like oil-based finishes can give. But if you want to darken the wood more that what the BLO has given you, an oil-based finish is the way to go. Waterlox will give a nice amber color, and most oil based varnish will give a slight yellowing and might darken more with time. I would either spray Waterlox Original S/F or GF Polyacrylic.

Dave

 

[TracyP]

Well there is about a million answers to your question which will then raise a few hundred more questions.
Oil based polyurethane is probably going to be one of the most durable finishes you can apply in a home shop without special equipment. But it isn't easily repairable. Water based poly is much easier to spray in a home shop and offers good durability. Lacquer is great but I don't recommend spraying it unless you have the proper equipment. Water based lacquer takes some of that danger away. A non-poly varnish like Waterlox Gloss or Original S/F is a great choice for durability and repair-ability. General Finishes Arm -r -Seal is another excellent non-poly varnish with great protection and repair-ability. Also Behlens Rock Hard Table varnish is one of the most durable.
I just finished using GF Polyacrylic, and sprayed it for the first time. I am sold on it. I applied in in an enclosed shop and didn't get high from the fumes, it leveled really well and provided a nice durable finish without much color change like oil-based finishes can give. But if you want to darken the wood more that what the BLO has given you, an oil-based finish is the way to go. Waterlox will give a nice amber color, and most oil based varnish will give a slight yellowing and might darken more with time. I would either spray Waterlox Original S/F or GF Polyacrylic.

Dave

Man, that is a lot of information to digest. No wonder you are the top poster. The polyacrylic sounds like the way I may go. Who is a good supplier to buy from?

 

[DaveO]

I got mine from Klingspor. Probably not the best cost but very convenient. I am sure that you could find it at any other woodworking store like Woodcraft or order it on-line.
Dave

 

[ScottM]

Tracy, if it something I a spraying I use Deft spray. Not the water based. If it is something I do not want to spray I use wipe on poly. With either make sure the BLO is dry. I mix mine 50/50 with mineral spirits and it is dry in a day or 2.

 

[Bas]

Dave, it's amazing how much information you put together in that single posting. :notworthy:

You're right, a million answers and as many questions for each answer. Finishing alone can take a lifetime to master. I think I just need to go and buy 6 or 8 different finishes, then invent projects to test them out

 

[John Reeves]

Also think about warming the thinned BLO before application.. It will absorb better. Use a double boiler on a hot plate of stove top.

 

[TracyP]

Also think about warming the thinned BLO before application.. It will absorb better. Use a double boiler on a hot plate of stove top.

Is there a certain temperature it needs to be or is luke warm good enough?

 

[John Reeves]

Tracy,

I have never been that precise with it. I just got it as warm to hot as I had patience for. This will increase the viscosity and allow the thinned BLO to get into the grain or be absorbed more easily.

John

 

[TracyP]

Thanks John and everyone else. This gives me some ideas.

 

[John Reeves]

Glad to help.