Shellac works well because it binds to water-based and oil-based polyurethanes while keeping the two separated. Water based … On the downside, water-based poly tends to raise the grain of the wood, is susceptible to watermarks, and can be temperamental when applied over … Please use the following guidelines: To ensure the color fastness of Minwax Wood Finish prior to applying Minwax Water-Based Polyurethane: 1.) Not all paint thinners are suitable for oil-based polyurethane finishes. 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. Oil based poly can last around 10 years. usually giving it a richer look while the water based poly just continues to get duller over time. % of people told us that this article helped them. Finally, water-based poly dries a lot faster, giving dust less time to settle out of the air into your finish. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. It dries faster, as well. Consider these advantages of oil-based lacquer vs. water-based to determine if it’s a proper application for your hardwood floors: 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 … Luckily, there are ways around this when it comes to applying finishes. Log in. The two different finishes are created to bond to hardwood in a very different manner. It can go over, or under, either. There are 16 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. In my opinion, this is the largest benefit of water based polyurethane. Amid the current public health and economic crises, when the world is shifting dramatically and we are all learning and adapting to changes in daily life, people need wikiHow more than ever. What lasts longer on wood, penetrates, Etc. If you already laid down a water-based finish and decided to go for an oil-based one, do not fret. 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. Polyurethane will not bond or grip well with the lacquer and will peel off over time with general use. The main difference is usually color: water based polyurethanes are completely clear and (again, if well engineered) will not yellow over time. Click to see full answer Consequently, which is better water based polyurethane or oil based polyurethane? Keep the room as clean as possible. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Yes! Shellac works well because it binds to water-based and oil-based polyurethanes while keeping the two separated. Oil-Based Polyurethane Pros. Some brands take longer than others, but it is typically between 30 to 60 days. The general answer to your question is yes, you can apply one over the other - with a caveat - since oil and water don't mix you'll need a sealer coat in between the two. Almost everyone is slightly different. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. 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 … Of course, wait for each coat to dry before … Polyurethane can be oil- or water-based, and you can use either kind over latex paint; however, oil-based polyurethane tends to yellow as it ages, whereas water-based varieties stay transparent. Water-based polyurethane will give off little if any odor compared to oil-based poly—a real issue if your finish room happens to be in your basement. The water-based coating must be fully cured, otherwise the oil-based one will not cure properly. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. 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. It has a more depth - both in color and shine and it looks the way we expect hardwood to look.Water based polyurethane has both a duller color and a duller finish. Short answer: yes. Polyurethane can be oil- or water-based, and you can use either kind over latex paint; however, oil-based polyurethane tends to yellow as it ages, whereas water-based varieties stay transparent. If you are using water-based polyurethane... Don't sand the floor with steel wool; Don't tack the floor with paint thinner; You will need a special water based polyurethane applicator. {"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":"