Water based poly or oil based Poly

[leehljp]

Which is tougher, longer lasting and more shop environment protective: Oil based poly or water based poly?

I am looking for practical experience and usage opinions. I know that water based is where we are headed, but that doesn't make it necessarily better.

Opinions please.

[Jim Frye]

I only tried water based once and didn't like it for the way it applied, but maybe I should have tried more. Old dog, new trick syndrome. I gotta believe there has to be some articles on the subject online. Thanks, now I won't be able to rest until ai find one now.

[Jim Frye]

How about this?

https://woodworkingclarity.com/water-based-vs-oil-based-polyurethane/

[leehljp]

Excellent article. Thanks. In a shop environment with chemicals (paints and oils) I will probably use oil based poly with about 4 or 5 coats on my shop table. Thanks. That is what I was looking for. But still, I would like to see what others have to offer. I am always open to learning some different facts.

[twistsol]

I use both, Crystalac water based poly for spraying and Varathane brand for brushing. As far as durability between the two, there really isn't a difference but cleanup with the Crystalac is much easier and it is more clear I've done a lot of kitchen cabinets with the Crystalac and they have all held up really well..

For shop stuff, my wooden tops are finished with multiple coats of tung oil. It is a pain initially because it takes many days to get a good finish and is smells for weeks., but it is easy to re-coat when the tops invariably get beat up and the new coat softens what is there and bonds to it. Additional coats of poly just sit on top of the old coats.

[atgcpaul]

Do you use straight tung oil or do you cut it with some solvent?

[twistsol]

I use pure tung oil, pour it on and rub it in with a rag. When it eventually dries, I polish it with an auto buffer.

[Condoman44]

I became a fan of water based since it was available for floors late 1999 and never looked back. I could do 3-4 coats a day and be done with the floor.