Arm-R-Seal Oil-Based Topcoats are made with the highest-quality urethane resin, making them extremely durable and long-lasting. Formulated to be wiped on with a cloth or applied with a foam brush, this ambering finish penetrates to provide deep-down protection for that "natural" look.
The problem areas on your table are probably caused by surface contamination from oils, waxes or cleaning products used over the years.
Contaminants from dusting sprays that contain silicone will also impact the appearance and adherence of a finish - silicone is almost impossible to remove. Oil soaps and wax can also cause adhesion failures. This may be why the finish is performing differently on the leaves vs the table top. Adhesion failure is often more obvious in the deepest patterns of grain because the contamination is driven deep into the grain.
An unusual combination of oils, urethanes, and wax, Seal-A-Cell Clear has served craftsman for decades as the best wipe-on clear coat to get that "natural" look on beautiful woods. The oils penetrate deep into the wood to highlight the figure of the wood, and the urethane ensures durability.
The hardness properties of a wood finish are formulated around the objectives of use. A hard finish is desirable on projects that get heavy wear such as kitchen cabinets or table tops.
But in other situations, such as an outdoor topcoat, a desired property of the finish is elongation, which allows the topcoat to expand and contract through different extremes of temperature.
We know of many customers that have achieved great results from buffing Arm-R-Seal with auto polishes, providing that the finish has cured for 7 to 10 days.
As with all products that are not manufactured by General Finishes, always test for compatibility on a hidden area of your project before getting started.
GF has two products that would work well.
For non-professional finishers, we recommend using General Finishes Arm-R-Seal Topcoat.
Today we'd like to share with you this gorgeous table that was built and finished by Marion Lovett for his own home. This project was quite the challenge considering the table weighs in at about 800-900 lbs! It is 8" around and made of old oak barn wood.
Yes, they can, but be sure to stay within a manufacturer's finishing system and not mix product from different brands.
Although Arm-R-Seal rarely needs thinning because of its low viscosity, it can be thinned with up to 10% mineral spirits - more than that may thin the solids content too much.
Thinned Arm-R-Seal will be diluted but can be stored without risk of separation.