Baltic Birch Drawer Box Finishing

[bkharman]

Hey everyone,

Thanks to the internet and all of its glory, I am utterly confused!  I have about 15 boxes that I made and need to assemble but want to do some of the finishing beforehand.

What do you recommend for my situation?

• I want the finish to be satin-ish (not glossy)
• I can't spray and prefer not to even brush if i can get away with it
• These are kitchen drawers so I dont want lingering odor and off gassing
• I will do the work myself and am not in a rush

All of that being said, I have looked at Minwax' water based wipe on, General Finishes wipe on, Watco wipe on, making my own wipe on by diluting off the shelf stuff and don't know what would be best in my situation.  Just need some long lasting protection for these before I install them.

Thanks in advance all!

Cheers.  Bryan.

 

[tjbnwi]

Zar Ultra Max Water Modified wipe on.

Tom

 

[bkharman]

Zar Ultra Max Water Modified wipe on.

Tom

Thanks [member=4105]tjbnwi[/member] ... is this the stuff? http://www.amazon.com/United-Gilson..._1?ie=UTF8&qid=1453306034&sr=8-1&keywords=Zar+Ultra+Max+wipe+on

Cheers (as always)

Bryan

 

[tjbnwi]

Yes.

Tom

 

[bkharman]

Yes.

Tom

Thanks Tom,

Picked up a bottle yesterday and did some tests on the back of the drawers. Went well with two coats. It went on very easily and cleanup is great!

Should I be sanding to 180 or higher?  I couldn't find anything out there other than "sand with fine sandpaper".

Again, this on Baltic birch drawers.

Thanks for the advice!  Bryan.

 

[Cheese]

Bryan,
I'm very interested in the results that you've gotten with the ZAR. Can you provide a photo or two?

How well does it level out on the Baltic birch surface and does it provide a contiguous surface film without any voids?

FWIW...on regular clear water based poly that I have brushed or rolled on cabinets/drawers, I've scuffed the surface with 320 between coats so as not to remove too much material and provide a smooth final surface. 

 

[tjbnwi]

Yes.

Tom

Thanks Tom,

Picked up a bottle yesterday and did some tests on the back of the drawers. Went well with two coats. It went on very easily and cleanup is great!

Should I be sanding to 180 or higher?  I couldn't find anything out there other than "sand with fine sandpaper".

Again, this on Baltic birch drawers.

Thanks for the advice!  Bryan.

I prep sand with 180, the BB should not need much prep sand. Just knock the fuzz down.

Between coats 240 or 320 sand.

Tom

 

[bkharman]

Bryan,
I'm very interested in the results that you've gotten with the ZAR. Can you provide a photo or two?

How well does it level out on the Baltic birch surface and does it provide a contiguous surface film without any voids?

FWIW...on regular clear water based poly that I have brushed or rolled on cabinets/drawers, I've scuffed the surface with 320 between coats so as not to remove too much material and provide a smooth final surface.

[member=44099]Cheese[/member] , here you go... a photo showing an unfinished panel and a finished one (finished on right, lighting sucked)...

also a photo showing the face and sides (finished left this time)...

[member=4105]tjbnwi[/member] thanks for the tip on the ZAR.  Great stuff to work with and clean up is a breeze.  The stuff goes on very easily, dries and ready for re-coat in 2 hours and sands nice.  the pics above are three coats, is very "satin" and looks good enough for my project.

cheers.  Bryan.

 

[bkharman]

Finished most of the drawers. I think they look good and the people paying me think they look good too!  All new doors and drawers and Blum soft close hinges and slides. Feels like a brand new kitchen to them.

Here is a shot of some that I just finished up.

Cheers. Bryan.