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Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @Philip49. It's terrific to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about selecting varnishes.
I'd encourage you to test a few different products using a brush and determine what your preference is. You can then use your selection in the spray gun for similar but finer results. The choice of varnish is heavily dependent on your preferences and the look you're going for. If you are after a suggestion, I don't think you can go wrong with Cabot's 1L Oil Based Cabothane Clear Polyurethane Timber Varnish. It's a hard-wearing and durable coating that's resistant to scratching and it will enhance the timber grain of your timber pieces. I'd say that's a good starting point.
Let me mention a couple of our woodworking enthusiasts, @woodenwookie, and @r23on to see if they have any thoughts.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Mitchell
Hi @PeterEllis49,
There's a bit to unpack there. Can I ask if there is any reason not to continue using the water-based Cabots product? I use it extensively and found that it applies well, provides a durable finish, doesn't smell and cleans up well.
In most situations, especially when I know someone wants an easy cleanup, I recommend water-based products. In this case, my recommendation for oil-based was likely due to @Philip49 mentioning it before water-based, so I simply chose that as the suggestion. Durability-wise, there's not much of a difference. Oil-based can tend to yellow more than water-based, and if I have to choose between water or oil, I'll go with the water-based 99% of the time. However, I recently went for an oil-based (not Cabot's) for a coffee table as I was instructed that a high-gloss was needed. Typically, you can get a higher sheen from oil-based. Though I found it much more difficult to apply, it smelt strongly, and I just threw my cheapish brushes out as I didn't want to have to clean them.
So, back to my original question, unless there is a reason to switch to the oil, I'd stick with the water-based versions.
The Feast Watson 1L Satin Wipe On Poly is specifically designed to be a wipe-on product. I do see the product page suggests it can be brushed or rolled on, but I've checked the product data sheet, and it's not mentioned there. I'll have our team update the webpage to reflect that it is a rag application only. You could try to brush it on, but the consistency of the finish would be unknown. Their Feast Watson Gloss Clear Varnish would be the brushable version. Perhaps @r23on might be able to let us know of their experience with the product and whether they've had success brushing it on.
I'm seeing six hours after the initial coat before the second on both the Bunnings page and Feast Watsons. I'm not seeing this review, so I'm starting to think we might be looking at different products here. If there was less than the stated quantity in a can, I'd recommend returning it for another one, as they should all have one litre in them. A team member can check this for you before purchase.
All our finishes are all of good quality, with some brands providing a slightly higher quality, durability and ease of application. In saying that, the difference between a $36 can and a $39 can would likely be indistinguishable. It also comes down to personal preference and your application style. Some people like a thicker product that they can apply one coat then spread around and be done. Others like a thinner product that they can build up in layers. I personally don't like thicker products and would much prefer to do several coats and sand them in between to achieve an exceptional finish with no defects. Someone that only wants to do one coat would interpret a thin product as like 'water'. It is really about finding a product that works for you and sticking with it. For me, it's Cabot's Cabothane water-based.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Mitchell
That's the amazing thing about the Workshop community, @PeterEllis49, and the exposure to our members' different experiences. @r23on is a very experienced woodworker, and I have no doubt that he's provided an excellent summary of his knowledge and use of the products.
I wouldn't suggest going against the recommendations of Cabot's, but on a side note, on a warm day, I'll have three coats of the water-based on within two hours, which have been sanded in between. From my experience, their water-based product is touch-dry within 15-20min if it's in the sun, and I'll be giving it a quick sand with 480-grit to knock off any rough spots shortly after that.
I just wanted to clarify my comment about oil-based products tending to yellow more. That's not really correct with current technology. Older oil-based products certainly had this issue. Now, they don't really yellow so much; they just have more of a golden hue to them. Even out of the can, an oil-based product can look more like a honey colour, whereas water-based tend to be more clear.
Mitchell
