How Water Based and Oil Based Polyurethane Are Different. usually giving it a richer look while the water based poly just continues to get duller over time. Keep the room as clean as possible. wikiHow's. There is no contest on the durability between the 2 options. Work in an area with lots of reflected light. Once you start to apply an oil based finish, you would not want to utilize water based. Oil-based: Turns slightly amber, which warms up a wood's color. When should there be one used over another (for a given project)? By using our site, you agree to our. I do the opposite on most of my floors— I use three coats of water based poly over an oil-modfied/based poly or stain. Use a clean brush for each coat. If you sand it lightly and get a fine powder, it is dry and ready to go. You'll want the oil-based drying agent to completely vaporize from the stain before applying the water-based finish. Ensure that you remove dirt, grease, and wax from the surface by scrubbing the surface using a wood cleaner or de-glosser. It can be applied over oil-based stains like Minwax® Wood Finish™ or Minwax® Gel Stain . 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. How would one be better than the other? Of course, wait for each coat to dry before … Dust generated from lead-based products can be very harmful to children under the age of 6. Oil based polyurethane lasts longer than water based. 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. Because there are less solids in water-based poly, four coats may be needed as opposed to three coats of oil-based poly. Consider these advantages of oil-based lacquer vs. water-based to determine if it’s a proper application for your hardwood floors: This can help benefit the environment significantly. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. 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. A well-engineered, water based polyurethane will be equal in clarity to oil-based polyurethane. 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. Water-based polyurethane contains lesser Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) than does oil-based polyurethane. 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. Log in. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Advantages of water based polyurethane: 1. Water based polyurethane dries faster. Finally, water-based poly dries a lot faster, giving dust less time to settle out of the air into your finish. It can go over, or under, either. Drying time: Water based polyurethane can be recoated in 4-6 hours. I do the opposite on most of my floors— I use three coats of water based poly over an oil-modfied/based poly or stain. The main difference is usually color: water based polyurethanes are completely clear and (again, if well engineered) will not yellow over time. A polyurethane finish can prolong the life of paint and prevent ultra violet rays from causing it to fade. Woodworking Myth: You should never put a water-based finish on top of an oil-based finish. However, water-based polyurethane dries faster, saving you a lot of time if you are working on a large project. When should there be one used over another (for a given project)? 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. If you’re doing a refurbishing project, you should know the difference between water-based polyurethane and oil-based polyurethane. You may apply the Minwax Water Based Polyurethane over a fully cured Minwax Wood Finish Stain (oil-based). The problems with water-based polyurethane are that it doesn't level out as smoothly as an oil-based finish, and it doesn't protect as well against the elements. Don’t confuse dry time with curing time which can take up to 1 month depending on conditions. Up to 4 coats can be applied in a day. Please see this forum thread. Higher in VOCs than water-based finishes and therefore not available in … There are as many different formulas for stain and water borne polys as their are such existing. 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. 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. 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 the wood. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Water Borne Polyurethane Water borne polyurethane goes on clear and has a low luster. Click to see full answer Consequently, which is better water based polyurethane or oil based polyurethane? When it comes down to pure looks over substance, oil-based polyurethane stands out head and shoulders over its water-based counterpart. In most cases, it is OK to use a water-based polyurethane over an oil-based finish in good condition. Water-based polyurethane dries faster than oil-based. Oil-based polyurethane has a more distinct odor and takes a longer time to dry than water-based ones. You should remove grease, dirt and wax by scrubbing the surface with a wood prep/cleaner/de-glosser, or … High quality water based polyurethanes is considered by many homeowners & flooring professionals to be equally durable. The water based polyurethane (left) is lighter and duller than the oil based … We recommend you apply additional coats every couples of years. Forms a hard, durable film in a few coats. These cookies do not store any personal information. 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. 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. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Water based poly can … Last Updated: December 26, 2019 Instead, use an alkyd varnish. It dries faster, as well. If you're committed to an oil-based finish, hand rubbing with polish or wipe-on varnish is probably the most effective way to cut the sheen. Here is another detail. If you don't let the first coat cure, the next coat may not cure properly, resulting in a permanently tacky finish. You may apply the Minwax Water Based Polyurethane over a fully cured Minwax Wood Finish Stain (oil-based). Almost everyone is slightly different. Water based polyurethane has both a duller color and a duller finish. You can apply water-based polyurethane over oil-based as long as you set suitable conditions for this to happen effectively. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. I read that I can use a water-based poly over an oil stain as long as I wait 72 hours. Unfortunately, when many do-it-yourselfers apply polyurethane over a water-based latex or acrylic paint, they end up with rampant flaking. Contain 45 to 50 percent solids, which creates a more protective finish. Water based polyurethane has lower VOC’s – which is a bit of an environmental benefit (more about that in a moment) – but because it has lower VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds), it doesn’t last as long. 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. 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 some wood stains. Water-based Polyurethane over an Oil-based Wiping Stain Why does the top finish pull away from the stain coat? A high-gloss finish is not necessary or recommended for floors. 7 expensive beauty products you can make yourself. SUBJECT: Minwax Water Based Polyurethane Over Minwax Wood Finish Stains. Because there are less solids in water-based poly, four coats may be needed as opposed to three coats of oil-based poly. Can I apply water-based polyurethane over an oil based stain? If you don't know whether or not it's fully cured, consider waiting 30 to 60 days. Shellac works well because it binds to water-based and oil-based polyurethanes while keeping the two separated. Please use the following guidelines: To ensure the color fastness of Minwax Wood Finish prior to applying Minwax Water-Based Polyurethane… Water-based polyurethane contains less odorous volatile organic compounds (VOCs) than its oil-based counterpart, so less hard on your lungs and your nose. It will also provide a longer lasting protection which will cut the costs even more. Product Options. Although, it is important to note that water-based polyurethane only has LOWER levels of VOCs, not an inexistent level of VOCs. 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. Let’s cover a few basics before discussing which is best for specific wood types. 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. ... All About Oil Based Varnish ... Can I Put Oil Varnish Over Water-Based Paint? In my opinion, this is the largest benefit of water based polyurethane. Dust generated from lead-based products can be very harmful to children under the age of 6. This can help benefit the environment significantly. I dont see any reason to do the opposite because you will not get the oil rubbed look the way you are talking about.. With a little bit of extra time and preparation, you can apply the oil-based finish right over the water-based one. If you diluted one of your cans of polyurethane, then you should apply the diluted one now. You’ll have to lightly buff the old finish with a power buffer to prepare it for the new polyurethane. Water-based polyurethane contains lesser Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) than does oil-based polyurethane. Be patient. Question I am using an oil base stain on quarter sawn oak plywood. There is no contest on the durability between the 2 options. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. This should be ok if you gave the stain 3-4 days to properly dry out. 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. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. Flooring wholesalers and veteran floor finishers agree that you can recoat water-based poly with oil-based as long as the original coating has completely cured—generally 30 to 60 days. Water-based polyurethane is ideal for lighter woods, as oil-based will give your grain a yellow tone. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 34,847 times. usually yes— I do it all the time on my hardwood floors. What are the key differences between a water-based polyurethane and a oil-based polyurethane? Oil-based polyurethanes will cause these wood colors to have a yellow tone that gets worse over time. It adds a warm amber glow to the wood which I can appreciate and has a tendency to … 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. Usually, water based jobs can be done in 2 days and you can walk on it that night; oil based can take 3-5 days (pending on humidity) and you need to wait at least 24 hrs before walking on them. It dries faster, as well. It can be applied over oil-based stains like Minwax® Wood Finish™ or Minwax® Gel Stain . Dries more slowly than water-based polys, so there's a longer wait between coats. Consider these advantages of oil-based lacquer vs. water-based to determine if it’s a proper application for your hardwood floors: For wood with a dark stain, you may not notice the amber tint as much as you would with a lighter-toned wood. This article has been viewed 34,847 times. SUBJECT: Minwax Water Based Polyurethane Over Minwax Wood Finish Stains. Oil-based products also dry more slowly than water-based ones, giving you more time to work. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. What are the key differences between a water-based polyurethane and a oil-based polyurethane? 8 to 10 years ago, I used to recommend oil based polyurethane over water based poly. Less expensive than water-based polys. Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. 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. June 28, 2005. It i… (I'm not sure whether that wide compatibility also includes lacquer and catalysed finishes.) Sure they share a slot of similar characteristics but the chemical makeup, performance, odor, and appearance are factors you need to take into before you know which one is right for you. This is ideal if you want the natural color of your wood to remain constant. On the other hand, oil-based polyurethane lasts longer and is also more durable than water-based ones. It can also help bring out the beauty of wooden surfaces with the downside being it leaves a light-yellow tint. 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. Water Based Oil-Modified Polyurethane is ideal for use on all interior bare or stained wood surfaces including furniture, cabinets, doors and floors. Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. It takes more coats of water based poly to reach the same level of toughness compared to the solvent 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 … Water-based polyurethane has all the benefits of the oil-based ones, but it dries a lot faster and the odor is not as distinct. Oil based polyurethane lasts longer than water based. To quote from a Minwax representative: SUBJECT: Minwax Water Based Polyurethane Over Minwax Wood Finish Stains If you just applied the coating yourself, read the can to find out how long the curing time is. What lasts longer on wood, penetrates, Etc. Make sure that you use the right kind. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. https://www.familyhandyman.com/floor/how-to-use-oil-based-polyurethane-over-water-based-polyurethane/view-all, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDKZFGvpYpw, http://www.popularwoodworking.com/techniques/finishing/finishing-for-first-timers, http://www.woodmagazine.com/woodworking-tips/techniques/finishing/polyurethane, usar poliuretano de aceite sobre el poliuretano a base de agua, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. 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. 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. If the polyurethane is too thick, thin it by 10% with mineral spirits. Oil-based products also dry more slowly than water-based ones, giving you more time to … Oil-based polyurethane only requires around two to three coats since it contains 45 to 50 percent of the solids that create the protective finish. 6 {"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":"