Is there anything I could use as an alternative to varnish/polyurethane?
Question:I am in the middle of refinishing my kitchen cupboards, but am hoping to find something to do the top coat that's not so stinky (It's really hot outside right now...so I really don't want to have to keep the windows open when the sun is beating on the house!) And before you say anything...yup I should have thought about it before deciding to start refinishing my cupboards in the middle of summer.
Answers:
I would recommend a Water-Based Polyurethane. Benjamin Moore Makes a product called StaysClear, Minwax has polycrylic, both are very good waterbased poly's that should do great on the cabinets. If you are staining, I would suggest at least 3 coat of poly, if you are leaving them natural, I would say 4-5 coats
I would not recommend linseed oil. It does smell bad, and It takes FOREVER to dry-like 24-48 hours!
Try Linseed oil. There are two types, boiled and unboiled and is available at your local hardware store. It is stinky however not like varnishes or polyurethanes .
Water-based Urethane is very good, but still has an odor. Not nearly as bad as alkyd based. If you are really worried about the odor, take the doors off and take them outside to finish. There is very little to paint inside once the doors are removed. Good luck
I would try a varathane, it will take 2 coats but will look wounderful when done, a little steelwool between coats but the finish will look great!!
shellac. low odor, high shine. sand between coats, put on at least 4.
tung oil. follow instructions on can or see wikipedia entry.
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