This Luxury Finish Will Change History.

[@danielrybin2006]

I love how thorough these tests were

[@FortressFineWoodworks]

Definitely! Thanks for watching!

[@Jimbo5063]

Thank you for doing such a complete review of not only application technics, but also for identifying my new wood finish. I really enjoy your videos, keep up the great work.

[@FortressFineWoodworks]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks so much for watching!

[@JackbenchWoodworking]

I like the "plastic bag" packaging. You should be able to push all the air out before closing the cap. That way you cannot introduce air when you shake the bag. Removing the air before sealing also extends storage life. I love your videos, BTW

[@FortressFineWoodworks]

That's a great point! Thank you!

[@rikmorel4870]

I used 'Varathane Diamond Finish Premium Polyurethane Wood Finish for Outdoor, Water-Based in Satin Clear' on walnut and received excellent results. Available at Home Depot, easy to apply, tough finish, no yellowing and really beautiful finish. I used a stir stick very slowly to minimize air, application with a foam brush and used very light sanding between the 3 total coats with zero air bubbles. ps - the finish is being applied on walnut ply being used as interior trim around the window well of an RV build so moisture buildup was a concern.

[@FortressFineWoodworks]

Nice! It sounds like a decent finish

[@careymacisaac9165]

Im glad you made this video . I have a black walnut countertop that i finished in Osmo satin so after a year of use it needs to be finished again . ive been looking for different options that would hold up better than the Osmo . The one product I was looking at was the General finish Arm R Seal so now i see there are more choices thanks

[@FortressFineWoodworks]

Absolutely! I'm glad you got value from it! Give it a try some time!

[@TotalBoat]

This is great. Thanks for testing it out and for all your feedback!

[@FortressFineWoodworks]

Absolutely! Thanks for making great finishes!

[@noizzihardwood]

The real challenges are finishing small wood products where top, edges, sides, bottoms, insides, etc, need to be nice. Anybody can achieve a decent result on a flat panel with no regard for the edges. I would love to see how pros would do a wood product - like a desktop synth stand or virtually anything more complex than a cutting board.

[@FortressFineWoodworks]

Here's a complex finishing project that I did. kzbin.info/www/bejne/sJbFlaiKoa12r8ksi=KqsaNsLxGwMQBj3D

[@jasonbissonnette2331]

Thanks for taking time to make this video. Very interesting and impressive results, especially the brushing and rolling/tipping samples. My issue is finding this product where I live in Canada!

[@FortressFineWoodworks]

Thanks! You can't find it in Canada? I figured it would be accessible pretty much anywhere! Have you looked on the total boat website?

[@mjnorrad]

Amazon sells it in Canada. It is pricey but so worth it for ease and beauty!

[@stlwoodworking]

Very nice. I have some clear I am going to try soon.

[@FortressFineWoodworks]

Sounds good! Thanks for watching

[@SleeperHoundDesign]

Hell yeah, a Fortress video drop on a Saturday

[@FortressFineWoodworks]

Ya. I'm giving it a try because my videos weren't doing as well on Fridays. But we will see. Thanks for watching!

[@DanielGeorge-c7t]

As for the bubbles, I assume that you strain the product before application. Secondly, sometimes you can smooth and pop bubbles with a heat gun. If you use a heat gun hold the gun back and move evenly over the finish early in the curing process. Be sure you are in a dust free environment.

[@FortressFineWoodworks]

Honestly I've tried a heat gun and it never worked. Maybe I was doing it wrong

[@whitehurstcustomwoodworking]

I have had excellent results finishing Walnut with General Finishes Enduro Var II which is an oil modified water-based polyurethane. It Ambers up more like an oil based finish, but you get the ease of application of the water-based.

[@FortressFineWoodworks]

I'll have to try it some time

[@stevemaynerich6274]

I'd be curious to know how it preforms with UV light. Will the walnut fade?

[@FortressFineWoodworks]

I ran a test recently and yes, the walnut fades from the uv. The only way to stop that is by staining the wood with a pigment stain.

[@darrenlesueur4785]

Have you tried waterlox. I sprayed it on my walnut island countertop. It was easy.

[@FortressFineWoodworks]

I have not. But I remember seeing a wood whisperer video about it

[@Splash111]

Looks good. I use Arm-R-seal and have yet to be disappointed. It's almost foolproof. have you tried it?

[@FortressFineWoodworks]

No I haven't tried it. But good to know! I will definitely consider it.

[@mattelias721]

@Splash111, I've used Arm-R-Seal quite a bit and it's a great finish. My caveat is that I've only used the oil-based poly. Also, it's about as finicky as any oil poly with the sanding and recoating, but it does go on smooth and really brings out the wood's beauty.

[@warrenbarnes6629]

Thanks for the video. I’ve been looking forward to it since you mentioned it in a previous video recently. I work mostly with walnut so I’m alway interested in the best water based finish options. I’m investing in the Graco Quick Shot Sprayer this week, so I was also interested in your spray tip choice and glad to see you listed it (308 FFLP).

[@FortressFineWoodworks]

Absolutely, the 308 will work great for most urethanes and such. If you order the tip, I'd appreciate you using my link since there's no added cost for you. Thanks for watching!

[@RealMangaAddict]

Just found your video and im loving your content. Can you please share the color of your miter station cabinets? That shade of black would be perfect for my gaming desk.

[@FortressFineWoodworks]

I'm glad you like our content. Thanks for watching multiple videos! The miter station is sprayed with sherwin williams emerald trim urethane in satin sheen and the color is tricorn black

[@RealMangaAddict]

@@FortressFineWoodworks Thank you soo much for replying. Looking forward to your new videos. The three part series with the gothic table was amazing.

[@inmyimage1081]

Nice comprehensive test 👍

[@FortressFineWoodworks]

Thanks for taking the time to watch!

[@SamWanamaker1]

Nice video! Would you recommend one sprayer over the other for clear coats like this?

[@FortressFineWoodworks]

Yes, I recommend airless sprayers for water based coatings. I linked a couple different ones in the description

[@BuddimaSaranga]

This video meant a lot to me. Thank you so much 👍👌

[@FortressFineWoodworks]

I'm glad it was worth it! Thanks!

[@Stillworks]

Well made. Great video man

[@FortressFineWoodworks]

Thanks man! It was nice to meet you in person!

[@EricHonaker]

How much surface area did you get coated with a quart, would you say? This looks like it might be a great solution for a dining table I need to refinish, since it needs to be heat and moisture resistant.

[@FortressFineWoodworks]

You'd have to go to the total boat website and see.

[@Wiggles4life]

Samples are great and all but I’d like to see the rolling and tipping done on a large piece. I feel like by the time you get around to tipping it’ll start drying? I only use hvlp so would be curious.

[@FortressFineWoodworks]

I agree, but I bought a 4 inch brush for the thumbnail, and realized, you could use a 9 inch roller and 4 inch brush and get it laid out in no time

[@upuldhanushkagajanayake2719]

Nice and hard work ❤❤❤

[@FortressFineWoodworks]

Thank you, I appreciate you noticing!

[@coolabahwoodworking]

This was awesome. Great info and fantastic video

[@FortressFineWoodworks]

Thanks man! I appreciate you watching

[@inmyimage1081]

Followup - I’m planning to make a maple butcher block countertop (will probably be at least a month) and am pretty much looking at this TB Halcyon or GF Arm-R-Seal. Right now your testing really makes the Halcyon look like it might be better but do you have experience with Arm-R-Seal? If si, given a kitchen countertop (with sink, probably under mount) do you have any feedback on one vs the other?

[@FortressFineWoodworks]

I have not tried Arm-R-Seal but it's an oil urethane so it takes like 12 hours to dry. It says up to 72 hours to dry before next coat. That's crazy. The halcyon will do great and you'll appreciate the dry time and feel. Here's 5% off the total boat website if you want to try it. www.totalboat.com/?sca_ref=5718157.55vcje6aYW and you can enter the code 20PERCENT to change it to 20% off if that code is still active.

[@inmyimage1081]

@@FortressFineWoodworks Thanks, going with something oil based definitely has some disadvantages but they seemed to be outweighed primarily by the durability and chemical resistance but your tests specifically and directly made me reconsider and TotalBoat should be really pleased with how comprehensive your testing was given how well you showcased their performance. It took a lot of time and effort and you did a great job. I think I’m going to go ahead and give it a try and will be sure to use your link so they know you made a difference for at least one viewer 👍

[@inmyimage1081]

@@FortressFineWoodworks The 20% code is still active, hopefully it will be when I order it at the end of the month 👍 BTW, left the following comment on their most recent Halcyon video, it’s 11 months old but hopefully their social media manager still monitors comments “You should be really pleased with the in depth testing and review that Fortress Fine Woodworking did on the Halcyon product. He did a great job showing how well it’s durability and chemical resistance performs on par with a quality oil based product, you should definitely be sponsoring him!”

[@inmyimage1081]

LOL Somehow I accidentally left my last response to you about the comment I left on their most recent video and they did see it because they liked it 🤣😂🤣

[@FortressFineWoodworks]

I truly truly appreciate how much effort youre putting into recognizing my efforts on this. I can't thank you enough. I'm positive the products will make you happy and I hope that code is still active by then too!

[@Dubjaxfilms]

I live in the UK, what's a Quart ? i.e, what is the metric equivalent ?

[@FortressFineWoodworks]

A quart is .94 Liters

[@Dubjaxfilms]

@@FortressFineWoodworks so, almost one Litre

[@thevelvetdot]

Couldn’t believe what the other waterbased finishes looked like next to this one 🤯

[@FortressFineWoodworks]

I know! They look so weird!

[@zephyr1408]

However let me say I miss finishing my stuff ! You are a great carpenter and artist !

[@FortressFineWoodworks]

You and me both! Thanks!

[@BlueTurtleStudios]

ROLLING AND TIPPING?!!?!: I LIKE THAT TECHNIQUE-THANKS FOR A GOOD FINISHING NTUTORIAL!

[@FortressFineWoodworks]

Any time!

[@sethhamilton5824]

None of them look great. I shoot a water based clear with a 35 sheen, similar to Renner. It pulls the chocolate colours out wonderfully without the yellowing. I shoot a single coat, it sits on the flat spots but doesn't close the pores which is look I am usually after (similar look to oil/hardwax like rubio).

[@troyqueen9503]

In my finishing room watching between coats. 👍🏝️🇨🇦

[@FortressFineWoodworks]

Heck yah! Thanks so much for taking a break and watching!

[@johnyan8417]

how long does it take to fully cure?

[@FortressFineWoodworks]

They claim 7 days but I would count on more like 30

[@mattelias721]

@@FortressFineWoodworks Nothing cures in 7 days... except lacquer and shellac, neither of which withstand anything you threw at these test samples.

[@raizt1596]

Every closeup shot shows something I dread though..... bubbles. In addition, I imagine that the wood feels like it has a layer of plastic on it. These are the reasons people like Rubio... at least for indoor finishing. Add ceramic coating and you get some of the sheen and depth that is lacking with Rubio (but at a higher cost).

[@FortressFineWoodworks]

Only the hvlp samples had bubbles. I appreciate you watching!

[@BenM81]

What sprayer do you use? Edit: never mind. You pulled that bad boy out.

[@FortressFineWoodworks]

Yes sir! The Graco X7 amzn.to/4c0EiVM with a 308 FFLP Tip and blue guard

[@davidm2645]

Hi! I am sorry your pieces decided to cup without your permission. That being said, I like to use a foam brush on my stuff. Have/do you ever use them? I hate cleaning brushes! My go-to finish is Arm-R-Seal. I generally go with 4 coats while hand sanding with 320 in between coats. Did I mention I hate cleaning brushes?

[@FortressFineWoodworks]

Haha I hate cleaning anything! Yes, foam rollers are amazing, although I used a normal roller to drive the point home that you can use whatever

[@mattelias721]

You did an amazing job with this complex comparison test (1 dependent variable, 12+? independent variables? - makes a multidimensional matrix...). The results were clear and I could follow you here - a lot of these type of videos get lost in the cross-comparisons. I'd say Total Boat might have changed the game on water poly, because I never use that for the very reason you illustrated: it doesn't make the wood look awesome. Taste varies, but that yellow amber is... no, just no. Kind of expensive for my home shop price range, too, but agree - what kind of heathen doesn't use a standard metal paint can? Question: did the water poly cause the cupping, or was that just the walnut doing it's own thing?

[@FortressFineWoodworks]

Thanks man, I'm glad it was clear. The amber gloss could work if you need to match old ambered wood. But I agree, I won't be using it for walnut. Yes, the poly created the cupping since the pieces are so thin. On a real project I would recommend finishing both sides to offer even moisture. Thanks for watching!

[@mattelias721]

@@FortressFineWoodworks Awesome reply, my dude! Agree the amber would actually be a great application for something that should be in a museum. Also, good heads-up on the cupping issue. I learned a good technique with the roll and tip from this content, which I'll probably use in an upcoming project. Hope the Saturday releases work better for you!

[@FortressFineWoodworks]

Heck yah! Thanks for being such a great viewer dude! The roll and tip method is better than I thought it was going to be.

[@thedavelam]

Total boat vs total boat huh? Why not try other brands too

[@FortressFineWoodworks]

The video idea came from the fact that I wanted to test the finish to it's limits. Adding other finishes would have made that process more complicated, and I'll leave the testing videos to the pros like Suman

[@villeneuvewoodworks]

That thumbnail was 🔥 Great info. Was nice meeting you at WBC.

[@FortressFineWoodworks]

Haha, which one? The dripping "finish" or the water one? It was nice meeting you too!

[@villeneuvewoodworks]

The water one.

[@FortressFineWoodworks]

Awesome man!

[@inadmetable]

That was awesome, thanks for the video. If you ever do something similar again, can you test the sun exposure? Every finish I've tried doesn't do well under the sun's UV, even though they're called "outdoor finish"

[@FortressFineWoodworks]

That's a great idea. Maybe I will set one in a window and so an update post later

[@zephyr1408]

I stopped finishing cabinets ? Ppl just did not want to pay me for my effort? Say I make a 2500 cabinet piece out of birch? Then that cabinet has 9 drawers and 4 doors ? So I quote 1000-1200 because I know the pro painter who does these wants min 1500-1800 ? The customer offers 800 ? Time and again this issue? So now ? I rarely paint/ finish! I kept all my equipment for me and the house though! Plus I hv pleanty of work so no worries so far?

[@FortressFineWoodworks]

You can do whatever your heart desires! Thanks for watching!

[@troyqueen9503]

Do you use pre finished birch plywood? Time saved.

[@zephyr1408]

@@troyqueen9503 I do however there is a ton of work outside ; but yes your correct only way to go! Where I am (Nor Cal) it’s just part of the game to try and bring down the painting /finish cost? I hv a long time customer whom I recently did a very nice piece for. After delivery I handed her over to my pro finish/paint guy. Last I heard directly from him that piece is still sitting covered? I would hv finished it and one small piece she stripped herself for $600. He (my finish / painter) asked $850. Now it’s a stand off and I hv moved on! No more ! I hv to make a living !

[@FortressFineWoodworks]

Yes, and prefinished maple ply

[@zephyr1408]

@@FortressFineWoodworks pls excuse the rant ! You’re a kind soul!

[@paulhopkins1905]

Another youtuber advertising total boat.... I wish I had a fraction of their KZbin budget

[@FortressFineWoodworks]

This wasn't sponsored. I wanted to test the products to see if I truly want to use them. And the answer is yes

[@paulhopkins1905]

@@FortressFineWoodworks Sure, every youtuber uses their own money to all buy the exact same 4 or 5 brands.

[@FortressFineWoodworks]

Truthfully I buy industrial products mostly, but since they aren't available to non-industrial clients/viewers , it's harder showcase them in videos. In this case, I finally found a good product that happens to be accessible by the general public so I shared my experience.

[@CrPio167]

Do you leave negative comments on all his videos? If you don't like his content, nobody is forcing you to watch.

[@paulhopkins1905]

@@CrPio167 Go on and cry somewhere else. This needs to be called out. If he honestly bought a product that 90% of youtubers are paid to shill for, then he need not take offense