To poly or not to poly - that is the question

[crokett]

I built LOML a couch table and am finally (after a year) going to put the finish on. Considering drinks, etc will be on this thing, should I go with easily renewable (tung oil, paste wax) or something like poly that will give more protection but is not as easily renewed?

[maxparot]

Poly! Tung oil doesn't hold up as well. Water stains are a B____!!!

[crokett]

Thanks Max,

As a followup, do I need to be concerned about the woodstove being in the same room as where I will be finishing? I'm told the magic word on the can is combustible vs flammable and if things are combustible I am ok. I was also told that for concentrations high enough to spontaneously combust with no open flame I'd have passed out a long time before that.

[maxparot]

I'd be very concerned with either word on the can. More so with combustable that means it can explode. Flammable means it can ignite and burn. Keep it away from the heat and you should be ok on that score. Both will put toxic substances into your air. The wood burning stove already burns the oxygen out of the air. I'd want a CO monitor in that room whenever the stove is on. While painting wear a good cartridge respirator.

[JimD]

No finish is combustibale when dry. Unless you plan to finish the table in the same room as the woodstove, the flamability of the finish makes no difference. Even if you finish it in the same room, the main thing you have to worry about is to properly dispose of the rags.

If you really want great durability and no flamability, use water based poly. I use a lot of Minwax polycrylic. I've gone through nearly 2 gallons of it so far. Very easy to apply and very durable. Absolutely clear.

Another easier to apply finish is Minwax wipe-on poly. It is oil based so it is flamable but that is not a big deal.

Jim

[monte]

I recommend the wipe on poly David. I use it in my shop with no problems. It dries so quickly it probably reduces any danger. Keep the area well ventilated though.

[Ken Massingale]

Poly, and I agree with Monte, go with wipe-on. Don't pay for the wipe on, tho. Mix your own with regular poly and spirits, 50/50. Much cheaper and it's the same stuff.
ken

[drumpriest]

Arm-R-Seal. A mix of tung oil, linseed oil, and urethane. It's a wipe on. Looks great and is tough.

[crokett]

Poly, and I agree with Monte, go with wipe-on. Don't pay for the wipe on, tho. Mix your own with regular poly and spirits, 50/50. Much cheaper and it's the same stuff.
ken

I imagine this is not latex poly I am mixing with the mineral spirits? Is this brand-specific or will it work with all brands?

Max, the info I got was that combustible has a higher flash point (ignition temp) than flammable. I realize that either can burn.

[maxparot]

I imagine this is not latex poly I am mixing with the mineral spirits? Is this brand-specific or will it work with all brands?

Max, the info I got was that combustible has a higher flash point (ignition temp) than flammable. I realize that either can burn.

Combust means explode! The temperature at which that takes place is dependant on the flashpoint of the fuel.(solvent) Some flammables can be made to combust when atommized. (alcohol for 1) and some combustables can be controlled to burn without combusting.(kerosene comes to mind) When you are given a combustable warning the mean a spark can set off an explosion. Flammable warnings usually say keep away from open flames.

[Kristofor]

Combust means explode! The temperature at which that takes place is dependant on the flashpoint of the fuel.(solvent) Some flammables can be made to combust when atommized. (alcohol for 1) and some combustables can be controlled to burn without combusting.(kerosene comes to mind) When you are given a combustable warning the mean a spark can set off an explosion. Flammable warnings usually say keep away from open flames.

Nah, Combust really does just mean to burn without respect to how fast the kinetics are.

In OSHA speak for liquids combustible means a flash point between 100 and 200 degrees Fahrenheit whereas flammable is any liquid with a flash point below 100 degrees (and hence easier to ignite).

Proper care should be taken with either.

Kristofor.