Gel varnish, Gel Poly, wipe-on poly

[andrewm]

Yes, it darkens and yellows. It is a modified oil finish, so nothing like as neutral as a lacquer finish or a water-bourne acrylic.

Jake, that's interesting. Might this explain why my lounge floor that was done about three years ago is now looking a little orange compared to the hall which was done at the end of last year? Both floors are solid walnut and finished in the matt Polyx.

Andrew

 

[Jake]

If the hall was done in water-bourne acrylic, it may well be, but whenever I test the two against each other the difference is quite marked from the outset - it depends on the circumstances which is preferable (colour-wise, the surface finish is always much more plasticky with acrylic).

Otherwise, it could just be a difference in UV exposure.

 

[andrewm]

If the hall was done in water-bourne acrylic, it may well be, but whenever I test the two against each other the difference is quite marked from the outset - it depends on the circumstances which is preferable (colour-wise, the surface finish is always much more plasticky with acrylic).

Otherwise, it could just be a difference in UV exposure.

Both are the same Polyx finish. It's just the age that is different. I am wondering whether rubbing down and refinishing - which I will do anyway once all the decorating is finished - will get me the deep walnut colour back or whether I need to be resigned to the more orange tint. In the longer time scale the lounge will get more light than the hall because it has windows at both ends.

Andrew

 

[Jake]

It's just the age that is different.

Doh, I missed the point completely.

Difficult one to answer, it could be the wood or the finish, and most likely it is both to some extent. As it is an oil finish, I would expect it to darken and orange over time, but I haven't got any good comparators to tell whether that's true or not. I suspect your only answer will be to try refinishing to see what difference it makes.

 

[Steve Maskery]

I've been following this with interest. I've never used wipe-ons, at least, not for about 12 years when I did a few pieces with a Danish Oil / polyurethane / turps mixture - Sam Maloof's IIRC, and although the finish was good, it didn't last, going dull quite quickly and very much yellowing the ash pieces in particular.

So for the last few years I've sprayed Chestnut and Mellor's. But as I don't have a proper spray booth I'm dependent on the weather.

I've recently done a pine office unit for SWMBO and as yet it is unfinished, I was expecting to have to wait until the weather improves, but this might be the answer. As I espect to stain it an Antique Pine colout anyway, perhaps any yellowing won't be a problem.

And Fitchett's is just down the road too!
S

 

[Jake]

I don't want to give a misleading impression that it is very yellowing - it's much more neutral than a long oil yacht varnish or something, and my instinct is that it is probably more neutral than Danish oil (but I haven't tested that). It is just noticeably less neutral than lacquer or WBA.

It is designed to be brushed on, left, and the excess wiped off after ten minutes or so, rather than wipe-on per se.

 

[woodbloke]

Jake wrote

It is designed to be brushed on

...thinnly - Rob

 

[Anonymous]

A little update

I placed an order with the company Rob Woodbloke recommended around 11.30pm yesterday (on web).

Today I received an email at 8.30am confirming the order was dispatched free of charge.

Now THAT is great service!!

Received 8.15am today.

Excellent company

Got to wait until this evenig to try the finish though

 

[staffie]

my 2p worth, placed an order for the Polyx yesterday morning after reading this post. Beyond belief it arrived this morning. will be playing tonight.

Thanks to all for contributing.

jock

 

[SeanG]

Would this PolyX stuff be suitable an an exterior finish for white pine? I'm about to get some water based preserative and stain for my garage doors.

 

[Jake]

No, but Osmo do make some exterior finishes including stains. I haven't tried the stains, but their exterior paint is excellent (but limited in colour range).

 

[Anonymous]

Finally tried it and it bought up the American Cherry test piece very nicely and the finsh is nice and mattish (satin finish).

Chuffed to bits so far -thanks to all

 

[Pete W]

Tony, any pics? There may be a cherry coffee table in my future and I'd love to see yours.

 

[woodbloke]

Tony, any pics? There may be a cherry coffee table in my future and I'd love to see yours.

Here's a couple of shots of my Elm Cabinet II that I glued this afternoon. Finish is four coats of matt Osmo-PolyX very thinly applied with a good quality fine haired brush. There is no build at all and I didn't even have to rub down between coats (each one left overnight) The final coat has been waxed with some Teak Wax using 0000 grade wire wool and then buffed with several dusters. First shot is of the exterior panels and base:

Second shot is the interior:

The Osmo has managed to fill some of the voids in that bit of interesting grain. The oval slot is going to house a Krenovian style spring loaded door stop, countesunk holes are for screwing the cabinet to the stand - Rob

 

[Anonymous]

Tony, any pics? There may be a cherry coffee table in my future and I'd love to see yours.

Yep
Will be posting a few when it is finished - probably a week or so until it is completed and ready for the finish

I tried the polyx on an offcut of Cherry today

 

[PlaneMike]

My supplier of Osmo Poly recommended using it just slightly warmed so that the coat is even and easy to apply. Also makes it go even further.