I swore off water-based poly for cabinets until last week

My whole shop used to smell for days after an oil-based finish, which I just accepted as part of the job. Trying a water-based brand on a built-in bookcase showed me how much nicer the air stays and how fast it dries. Has anyone put it through the paces on a kids' playroom unit and seen how the finish holds up?

3 comments

3 Comments

masons271mo ago

Look, oil based poly has a history of working well. That smell means it's getting tough. Water based is easy to use, but will it handle kids roughhousing? I have noticed water based finishes can scratch easier. Giving up strength for less smell might not be smart for a playroom.

bettyg931mo ago

Ugh, kids are so rough on floors!

bailey.sandra1mo ago

Wow, you just changed my whole view on this. I always picked water based poly for my own place because the smell drove me nuts. But my sister's kids totally wrecked her floors in like a year, deep scratches from toy trucks and everything. She used the water kind. Now I'm wondering if a week of bad smell is worth floors that last.