Polyurathane wipe-on?

[GrampaJim]

I have looked at "Minwax Clear Gloss Wipe-On Poly" and wonder if it would work for our stuff.  Is it any different then regular poly that is thinned with mineral spirits?   Anyone using it?

Edited March 1, 2016 by GrampaJim

[tomsteve]

not on fretwork, but i do use wipe on poly that i make myself. just poly thinned with ms about 30%. its my goto finish. dries quick, can get multiple coats on in a day, and a lot less waste.

i dont know about fretwork,though. seems the rag used could grab on fragile pieces and break them and enen leave little pieces of rag on parts. possibly also have poly end up running down edges and cause nightmares when it dries.

[WayneMahler]

I  have used it for fret work. I use a small model paint brush to get it in the cuts. Then after that dries I use spray on poly. This all depends on the project I am working on though. 

[amazingkevin]

I have looked at "Minwax Clear Gloss Wipe-On Poly" and wonder if it would work for our stuff.  Is it any different then regular poly that is thinned with mineral spirits?   Anyone using it?

I'll have to try some of this ,Thanks!

[LarryEA]

Scary to me... but I have never tried it.  

Special cloth? 

I would use a brush, but again, I am not experienced in wipe on fret work.

[dgman]

I prefer a spray on lacquer. Trying to brush on or wipe on sounds like a mess!

[Bill WIlson]

Wipe-on Poly is essentially just regular poly thinned by about 50%.  No different than if you took regular strength poly and mixed it with mineral spirits.  By doing your own, you can control the ratio and perhaps end up with better results and less cost.

 

My go to finish is shellac.  I spray it on.  I'll use the rattle can variety if I'm only doing a small piece.  If I'm spraying more or larger items, I'll mix some up and use my spray gun and compressor.  I like spraying it, because it dries so fast that I can apply multiple coats, hitting the piece from several angles to get in all the frets.  Clean up is very simple as well.  No lingering odors to annoy the wife (basement shop) and a nice traditional look.

[Lucky2]

I use WOP on turned items, but, I only use it on pine scroll work but not on fretwork. It takes to much work, to get a good finish built up. For fretwork, I mix my own finish. I use a 50/50 mix of poly and paint thinner for the first coat, the after two coats I apply a final coat of spray on poly. Part of the reason I thin the first two coats, is that I dip all fretwork into the finish. Doing so, gets finish into every crack and crevice. I really don't like to look at a piece of fretwork, that doesn't have any finish on the inside cuts. To me they look unfinished, this is why I started thinning the poly to get a good finish.

Len

[LarryEA]

 I use a 50/50 mix of poly and paint thinner for the first coat, the after two coats I apply a final coat of spray on poly. Part of the reason I thin the first two coats, is that I dip all fretwork into the finish. 

Hey Len, once you mix the P/PT, do you store it for any length of time? 

I like the idea of mixing 'other' finishes besides BLO.

[NC Scroller]

I make my own wipe on poly by mixing it 50/50 with mineral spirits. I have used it for fret work. I do this by dipping it and then blotting off the excess.

[ike]

I have seen some cabinet makers at my old place  of work  they thinned it down with 50% mineral spirits and used a piece of cardboard as a squeegee and wiped it off that way and it worked out fine, dried fast.

[Lucky2]

Larry, I don't usually mix a large batch, but, the batches I do mix will store for about a month or so. I see that NC Scroller (Scott) does the same thing as I do for dipping, but, I don't know if he gives his items a final coat of spray finish.

Len

[Ron Johnson]

I use it when making toys, wood boxes and etc. I love the final results. Very easy to apply. I don't use it on fretwork.

[NC Scroller]

Larry, I don't usually mix a large batch, but, the batches I do mix will store for about a month or so. I see that NC Scroller (Scott) does the same thing as I do for dipping, but, I don't know if he gives his items a final coat of spray finish.

Len

Yes and No. It really depends on the look I want and the piece. If a want a glossier look I will either spray it or apply additional light coats of the mixture using a foam brush.  I estimate I just go with a single dip 75% of the time.

 

For dipping I go to the dollar store and get large disposable baking pans.  Of course I wipe them out with straight mineral spirits afterwards and reuse the pans over and over, 

[Lucky2]

[quote name="NC Scroller" post="185007" timestamp="1457011520"

 

For dipping I go to the dollar store and get large disposable baking pans.  Of course I wipe them out with straight mineral spirits afterwards and reuse the pans over and over,I used to use the disposable cookie sheets, but, I found them to be a bit to flimsey. So, I bought the largest good quality cookie sheet I could find, it makes pouring the leftover finish back into the bottle much easier. I wipe the cookie sheet off with a cloth soaked in thinner, I've been doing it this way for years.

Len