Which finish should I use for......

Which finish should you use for different types of projects. This is just a small list of some types and brands of finish but it should steer you in the right direction.

[@stephenwhite5444]

Great video! Hey do you have any suggestions on what might be best for my project....it's a painted ice chest/cooler. It's been covered 100% in acrylic art paint as it has paintings all over the entire cooler. I need it to be durable as this cooler will actually get used. Also need it to be UV stable and not yellow. Initially I was going to epoxy it but epoxy yellows and being art I need this to stay clear, also I was afraid it might be hard to do the sides and it not run down. I was thinking maybe water based Spar Urethane, maybe Polycrylic, maybe a durable spray paint. Do you have any thoughts on that?

[@MichaelWDerr]

Is a matte oil based poly good for wood kitchen counter tops? What would you suggest?

[@denizencarpentry4115]

Yes. Just don’t use it as a cutting board. It’s safe for indirect contact. Think of a bar top for example. Ok to eat off of or have food around but you wouldn’t want the finish itself in your food. With good oil finish’s, prolonged exposure to water could cause cloudiness or rings. So just don’t let water settle on it over night.

[@MichaelWDerr]

Denizen Carpentry Awesome, thank you so much man. It’s like pulling teeth to find videos that just say, “ hey, this is what this is for...” Truly appreciated.

[@MichaelWDerr]

Denizen Carpentry One more thing if you have a quick second. I currently have a water-based poly by varathane... I heard you say something about water based and areas prone to water. Would water based poly be ok to use on countertops? Or would it need to be oil?

[@denizencarpentry4115]

Oil!!! All finishes will do at least an okay job of protecting the wood but the question for countertops is durability. How long will your finish last? How easy is it to repair? Water based products don’t have a long safety period when it comes to sitting water. And they don’t offer any easier method of refinishing either so oil products is the way to go. Arm-R-Seal is the best. Buy it at woodcraft.