Hello all. I am from Charlotte and have been getting advice from these forums for years (along with Sawmill Creek etc) but have never posted. I am nearing completion of a 2-year (!!!) project to convert my 1930s unfinished attic into a master suite. I picked up some dressers to convert into bathroom vanities with drop-in sinks, and am stumped on the best way to give them some extra protection against humidity and water on the surface. The factory finish is a bluish-gray paint, and there is some kind of protectant finish on it - water already beads up pretty well, but I don't trust it to hold up as a bathroom countertop. I'd like a satin finish to match the rest of the dresser (I'm only coating the top) and for aesthetics.
I'm looking at a few different products:
- ZAR oil poly - I've heard good things about it, it apparently dries and redcoats fast, applies easy, and one of their product reps told me it would hold up well for a vanity. My only real concern with this one is the degree of amber and color change I might get, since I am only coating the top and don't want it to look too much different than the rest of the dresser. Anyone have any experience with this product? If it won't noticeably change the color of the top, I'll probably go with this.
- Epifanes Matte or Rubbed Effect - People rave about Epifanes, and their rep told me the degree of color change with the Matte Wood Finish over a darker, already sealed surface such as mine would be minimal. He specifically recommended the Rubbed Effect as designed for this type of purpose and holding up well to cleaning and household chemicals. The drawback is waiting 24 hours to recoat as well as price.
- Helmsman Water-based Spar Urethane - All I'm looking for is water protection without changing the color or breaking the bank. I know a lot of woodworkers think this stuff is crap, but it seems like it might be just fine for this purpose rather than, say, a nice piece I spent many hours building. Like I said, the dresser surface is already sealed pretty well.
Any thoughts on this or other recommended products? Most of my finishing experience has been with standard General Finishes products, and I could use some direction from more experience members. Thanks!
I'm looking at a few different products:
- ZAR oil poly - I've heard good things about it, it apparently dries and redcoats fast, applies easy, and one of their product reps told me it would hold up well for a vanity. My only real concern with this one is the degree of amber and color change I might get, since I am only coating the top and don't want it to look too much different than the rest of the dresser. Anyone have any experience with this product? If it won't noticeably change the color of the top, I'll probably go with this.
- Epifanes Matte or Rubbed Effect - People rave about Epifanes, and their rep told me the degree of color change with the Matte Wood Finish over a darker, already sealed surface such as mine would be minimal. He specifically recommended the Rubbed Effect as designed for this type of purpose and holding up well to cleaning and household chemicals. The drawback is waiting 24 hours to recoat as well as price.
- Helmsman Water-based Spar Urethane - All I'm looking for is water protection without changing the color or breaking the bank. I know a lot of woodworkers think this stuff is crap, but it seems like it might be just fine for this purpose rather than, say, a nice piece I spent many hours building. Like I said, the dresser surface is already sealed pretty well.
Any thoughts on this or other recommended products? Most of my finishing experience has been with standard General Finishes products, and I could use some direction from more experience members. Thanks!