I have about 25 casement and fixed windows to finish in place… sash and extension jambs. They’re mixed grain doug fir. I’m going to be brushing them and want a good low-gloss material that will be durable but not plasticky-looking. That’s not asking too much, is it? Recommendations?
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Replies
David ,
You might look into whats called conversion Varnish , good stuff .
good luck to you dusty
conversion varnish is for spraying. You don't want a plastic look and you want to brush, kinda limits your choices. <g>
Are you trying to match any existing finish?
It's on windows and shellac doesn't do well with moisture, oils take a lot of maintainence. That leaves polyurethane, which may be to plastic for you, depending on sheen. Waterbased which can be hard to brush in tight corners like windows without leaving strokes. And varnish which being slow to dry can attract a lot of dust and stuff.
Sure you can't spray? For brushing I would probably lean to a low sheen poly first, 2nd would be a waterbased poly, depending on brush skills and if I were matching anything, and 3rd would be the varnish.
If I was spraying I would use magnalac, conversion varnish or a waterbourne.
Part of the reason I'm picky about finishes is that I've used a lot of conversion varnish, in a low sheen, and it's a gorgeous material. It was done by a finisher that used to finish furniture and cabinets I did. These are aluminum clad wood window sash so the finish has to wrap around the outside edges of the sash to the halfway point. I suppose I could remove them and mask them off for spraying.
With 25 windows to do that's probably what I would do, mask them off. That way I could try to get them done in one day and not have to mask twice. Windows have a lot of corners and edges for brushing, not that it can't be done. but there is also the drying time depending on the finish you pick.
Barry E-Remodeler
Waterborne wood floor finish. Bona Kemi traffic is a commercial floor finish and clear as grain alcohol. Apply with a foam applicator.
Ditch,
We talked about Waterlox at the Fest, I used it on my heart pine floors and was blown away by the results, much better than poly IMO. I put on 6 coats of Waterlox on my floors though it only took 3 to build up the shine. I was considering using it on all my wood windows, clear pine casing and doug fir panel doors. Any thoughts for or against?
Tony,
Sup bro?
I love Waterlox for any wood product. The original Waterlox was formulated decades ago for wood boats.
I was going to mention it for this thread but saw the word "clear", and Waterlox, although they have a 'clear' finish, it does impart some color to the wood. Clear waterborne products are truly 'clear' when dry.
6 coats on a floor is a superb finish. I'm sure you were amazed by how much of the 1st few coats were absorbed by the timber fibers....then it starts to 'build'... AND it's easy to apply...not cheap though.
How you hanging buddy? Hope all is well. You should consider meeting up with me and Andy C for skiing this winter.Yeah, I was shocked after the first coat disappeared at $50 a gallon. The build up reminded me of painting cars. The have changed the formula to be VOC compliant and I had to get a friend to bootleg it in from R.I.