A Comparison of Ambering Grain Pop Between Oil and Water Based Topcoats

From General Finishes University, A COMPARISON OF AMBERING & GRAIN POP BETWEEN WATER BASED AND OIL BASED TOPCOATS

This short video compares the difference in how grain pops and ambers between water based topcoats vs oil based topcoats over birds-eye maple. Here is the low down on how each one enhances the grain properties of maple.Here is the low down on how each one enhances the grain properties of the maple.

1. Oil based Seal-A-Cell and Arm-R-Seal rank first in oil based finishes. They amber, are thinner and penetrate a raw wood surface more.
2. Water Based Enduro-Var would be your first choice for grain pop in a water based finish. Enduro-Var is an ambering self-cross-linking polyurethane that looks more like an oil varnish than a water based finish.
3. Oil based Gel Satin Topcoat ambers but is thick and topical with less penetration, so less grain definition.
4. Water based High Performance and Flat Out Flat are panting at the back of the back. They are clear drying and offer virtually no grain pop.

Note: Enduro-Var adheres well ONLY over WATER STAINS, DYE STAINS, and RAW WOOD.