Woodworking

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Please help me choose a clear coat, I'm overwhelmed (lemmy.world)

submitted 10 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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I made my wife a floating shelf out of poplar. The wood has a nice light color and we’d like to leave it relatively natural. I’m overwhelmed by the clear coat options and don’t have a lot of experience with natural wood look. Any recommendations? Any help is greatly appreciated!

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[–] [email protected] 11 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) (2 children)

I use clear matte Polycrylic on lighter woods, like maple. I find more glossy variants to have a plastic-y feel.

I recently started using Hassui ceramic coating on anything that needs to be food safe or water resistant. More expensive, but it leaves it feeling like natural wood and beads water

[–] [email protected] 7 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Oh ya I like that polycrylic too. I should start using that again. I like to use Johnson paste-wax after the clear coat it makes it feel and look so professional

[–] [email protected] 3 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Would you use a pretty similar process with Polycrylic?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 10 months ago

Yup! Same process exactly.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 10 months ago

Thanks. I like the polycrylic option. I love that they have a matte sheen.