You should never put a water based finish on top of an oil based finish.
Timber floor finishes water based.
This serves two purposes.
Go with water based poly if that s a look you want to avoid or choose an oil based finish to enhance it.
This is great for darker colors as it gives you a darker and richer look.
This variety tends to be more expensive yet less durable than oil based poly.
The first choice for wood floor specialists restoration experts craftsmen because of its distinctive character protection.
By using a clear water based finish there won t be any conflict between the stain color and finish color.
Polyurethane is actually the most durable hardwood floor finish.
But on light color or natural wood it makes the wood look more yellow and dated and it yellows more over time.
The amount of coats applied in order to give ultimate protection is on average 2 coats.
These are just a few of the qualities that make water based polyurethane one of the most popular hardwood floor finishes for the home.
Another scenario is if the hardwood floor has been stained.
Water based polyurethane has a quick drying time and won t yellow your wood floors like its oil based counterparts.
The second basic type of hardwood flooring finish is a water based finish.
Jim carroll explains why it s not only acceptable to use a water based finish over and oil finish provided you do it correctly but that it can be the best solution when you want to bring out the natural character and color of the wood.
Water based polyurethane also scores high in the.
Smell and long dry times.
You ve spent hours perfecting it now protect it with beautiful durable easy to use wood stains sealers finishes.
The oil is the key to getting a natural looking finish.
Water based finish appears milky in the can but appears more or less clear when applied to your floor.
Learn more finish strong.
If you are going for lighter and more natural color or using a gray or white washed color water based poly is a better option.
Woods with a hint of yellow in them already such as pine fir and ash become even yellower with an oil based finish.
Here are our expert tips.
Water based and oil based polyurethane each offer good protection.
The biggest difference is in appearance.
Water based polyurethane wbp floor sealers and finishes were introduced to the wood flooring industry in the 1990 s as an answer to obp s two biggest downsides.
Wood that is gray white or light looks better with a clear coat i e a water based finish.