Interior finish questions - problems encountered.

[Esteban]

Thanks for the continuing tips. I glued a second layer of 1/8" birch over the first one, after sanding it, to get a fresh start. It looks much better. I'll be sure to thin the first coat of new varnish after letting the stain dry well.

Today I learned another possible reason the varnish didn't adhere well. I used a water based varnish over oil based stain that probably didn't dry long enough.

I thought the Varathane stain was water based. Today when I took stained wood samples and a can of stain to a paint store Mike (the store manager) looked at the can, which said to clean up with paint thinner, and told me the stain is oil based. Oooops. I most likely didn't let the stain dry out long enough - wrongly thinking it was water based.

[Debistogs]

You should use oil with oil. When you mix oil with water or latex (water based)....doesn't mix well!
Just some thoughts from a person that paints for a living!

Debi

[Debistogs]

Oil based stain needs to dry 8 hours at the least....24 is better.

Debi

[kennyrayandersen]

The water on oil would explain it if the oil hadn't dried completely. Drying time is affected by temperature and humidity. Had the oil based dried completely it shouldn't have been a problem. On my cabinets they dried a full 48 hours before they were shot with lacquer (which ain't water-based anyway). The oil-based stains do look rich though...

[Dee Bee]

I like the Zinsser Bullseye brand shellac. I would be interested in hearing comments for anyone with a comparison experience to the Hellsman product.

I used this prooduct for the inside too. Dries completely in less than an hour. No tackiness. No fumes.

Dee Bee