Over the past few weeks I have been collecting various brands of finish and now have enough to do some test boards to see what I really like for a piece in walnut veneer (old and thick – 1/8th inch) and curly maple appliques. I’m also applying some paper-backed veneer to the piece. My test boards will be the paper-backed veneer applied to scrap boards.
My question is do you have a preference between GF Arm-R-Seal and Waterlox, both gloss. Are they the same type of product, namely, strictly varnish. Arm-R-Seal is advertised as an “oil and urethane varnish”, or an “oil-based varnish”. Do they mean an oil/varnish blend or a true varnish? I believe you guys when you say Waterlox IS a varnish. I understand the difference between a varnish and a blend.
I want a product that gives the least amount of bleed on walnut. I understand that applying an initial thin coat or two of blend will help the bleed problem. I just don’t want to get caught with crystals in the pores. Would an initial 1# cut shellac help the bleed problem. Does pure varnish bleed? Thanks in advance.
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The Arm-R-Seal is also a varnish, not an oil varnish mix. It is a polyurethane varnish, and since they go out of their way not to disclose exactly what oil and resin combinations are used, we can be fairly confident that it is the run of the mill, uralkyd resin package, manufactured into a varnish with linseed oil.
Waterlox is varnish manufactured from tung oil and phenolic resin. The gloss will be harder than the Arm R Seal. The advantage of the urethane resin component of the Arm R Seal is a bit of additional resistance to heavy abrasion, not of much relevance to furniture.
Much less prospect for a varnish to bleed from pores since it cures much faster than oil/varnish mixes. Just work in reasonably warm quarters and have the wood of the project also at the same temperature.
Even with oil/varnish mixes, bleed need not be a major problem. Make the first coat relatively light, and don't do it last thing in the day. Do it early enough so you can check up on it frequently until it cures. If you catch it quickly, bleed just means an additional rub down with a cloth.
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