57 - A Shop-Built Pin Router, страница 28
iydroco^ [Catalyzed U< rlSl Clear1 FINISH ROOM Water-Based Finishes Looking for a finish that has a lot going for it? A water-based finish might be just what you need. a ~'>A >>ao).( c> HYBRID V''AR yARNl^ Water and wood. That's one combination that seems to go together about as well as a bull in a china shop. But what might surprise you is that when it comes to finishing, water is the way to go. Water-based finishes have been around for quite some time. And they haven't always been well accepted. But as the technology evolves, manufacturers continue to provide improved finishes like the ones shown in the photo above. So they're worth taking a new look at. Are water-based, finishes that much different than the traditional finishes I'm used to? Basically, a water-based finish isn't that much different than a traditional finish. They use the same type of resins to make up the dried finish. So if the finish has urethane in it, you can rest assured that it will be tough and scratch resistant. And if it has Traditional Finish i The amber coloring of a traditional finish "warms" up the color of this oak board. acrylic, the finish will be clear, flexible, and add little color to the wood. A combination of both resins, a "hybrid," will have the characteristics of both. What is different is that the solvents used in a traditional finish to carry the resins are replaced with water. This makes the finish more environmentally friendly — for you and everything around you. Removing the solvent and replacing it with water has a few other benefits. For one, water-based finishes are nonflammable, which makes them perfect for use indoors — like a basement shop. And the odor you're used to is much less harsh (if you notice one at all). Now this doesn't mean you shouldn't take some precautions. As with any type of finish, I still wear eye protection (goggles) along with rubber gloves to avoid any contact < Water-Based Finish. Although a water-based finish looks like skim milk, it dries crystal clear adding very little "color" to the wood. ' iMJftandDotttfc' '""'ZuC**"-'' "'"HI IJstt..}, Vfllw ma with my skin. And when it comes to spraying a water-based finish, I treat it just like a traditional finish and wear a respirator. But if I'm only brushing the finish on, I just make sure the area is well-ventilated. $$Those are good reasons to switch. What other benefits can I expect? A couple traits of water-based finishes that I appreciate the more I use them are how fast they dry and howi easy they are to cleanup. Because they dry quickly, it's possible to apply up to three coats in a single day. So I don't have to worry too much about a lot of dust settling in the finish. And then when the job is done, cleanup is just a matter of washing brushes with soap and water. Sounds great. But what about the "look" of a water-based finish? One thing that water-based finishes have a "problem" with is the color they leave on a project. Or should I say lack of color. If you take a look at the photo at left, it's easy to see the amber color of a traditional finish. The water-based finish on the right looks more like a glass of skim milk. Once both finishes dry, the traditional finish imparts that same amber color to the wood. But the water-based finish dries perfectly clear without adding any color. This can be one of the| biggest drawbacks of using a finish. But as you'll see shortly, there are ways to handle it. 28 ShopNotes No. 57 |
