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Just had to pick between a fast dry time and a deep finish on a walnut table
A customer needed their dining table done in 48 hours for a party. I had to choose between a water-based poly for the speed or an oil-based for the classic look. I went with the water-based, thinking I could build coats fast. It dried quick, but after 3 coats it still looked kinda flat and plastic-y on the walnut grain. The client was happy with the protection, but I wasn't happy with the look at all. Has anyone found a water-based product that actually gives a decent depth without the week-long cure time?
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janag431mo ago
Forget the finish, you dodged a HUGE liability bullet. Imagine if you used a slow oil and someone's fancy purse stuck to it at that party. Dakota_miller93 is right about the client's needs, but your rep also matters. Next time maybe try a hybrid oil-modified water based poly, it's a middle ground that cures faster than straight oil but yellows less than some water based stuff. It won't be perfect but it's better than that plastic film look on nice wood.
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dakota_miller931mo ago
You made the right call for a job that tight. A flat finish that protects the table is way better than a beautiful one that's still sticky when guests show up. The client's needs come first, and they needed a functional table, not a museum piece. Sometimes the practical choice is the professional one, even if it hurts your pride a little.
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stella1111mo ago
hurts your pride a little" is a bit much. It's a table finish, not a moral failure. If the client got what they paid for and it works, the job is done. Overthinking it just makes a simple thing seem way more serious than it is.
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