Black Kem Aqua on red oak question?

[BMAC]

I need some advice on Kem Aqua in low lustre black from anyone who's attempted using this product.

Recently, I attended a Kem Aqua demo at a local Sherwin Williams store. They had a hands on demo and I was able to apply the primer and 3 coats of Kem Aqua (white) in low lustre with a Graco airless and I was blown away how quick this went on and levelled out beautifully! I'm sold and I'm going to start using it on some of my jobs.

I'm actually building a bar in my basement walk-out residence and I'm using red oak stained jet black (Saman stain with polyurethane finish) for my lower cabinet doors and 3/4" red oak ply, also black for my upper cabinets that I'm going to start building over the holidays. I'm going door-less for the upper cabinets and will add glass shelves, a back mirror with and LED lighting to the uppers and also to the inset bottle storage with mirror behind it.

The bottle display inset area I just completed the millwork today except for some touch ups. See attached photos.

So, here's my questions:

1. Has anyone sprayed Black Kem Aqua onto red oak and what kind of finish difference can I expect when compared to the shot of the stained black red oak with polyurethane finish?

Will the finished product look similar and if so I will source the KA and try some test pieces ($50 for 4L here) but if it isn't the right product for this application I won't even try.

2. If the black KA isn't the right product for this material then I'll continue to use the waterborne Saman black stain and what are the thoughts out there about using the KA clear finish on top instead of the poly I've been using?

Thanks for any advice anyone has using KA in this application.

 

[tjbnwi]

I've sprayed KA+ black, not over oak.

There will be a difference between the stain/topcoat and KA+ black.

Tom

 

[BMAC]

[member=4105]tjbnwi[/member] thank you for that.

They do look different, but it's still a great look from your photos. Were you happy with the result too?

I think I'll continue on with the stain and poly I've been using thus far so things are consistent but, I'm definitely going to try the Black KA on another project when I have a chance so I'll know how it applies/looks for future jobs.

 

[J0hn]

I would use Black Poly from General Finishes.  It comes in satin, semi or glosshttps://generalfinishes.com/profess...mented-top-coats/enduro-pigmented-black-white

 

[tjbnwi]

Yes, more importantly the customer was happy with the finish.

Stain/topcoat is most likely the look you're after.

Tom

 

[BMAC]

[member=19713]J0hn[/member] thanks for the pointer to the General Finishes product. I'm thinking it may be a challenge to find this particular product. It isn't listed as a one of the General Finishes products carried by Lee Valley here in Calgary (they carry a bunch of other General Finishes). I'll try another supplier listed on the manufacturers website to see if they carry it as I'd like to try it on another project that is upcoming.

Lee Valley wouldn't likely order this product in at this time due to the cold here in the great white North!

Their website says the following for some of the General Finishes available on their website "These products must be protected against freezing. Therefore, they are not available for shipment from October through April. Available at our retail stores year round"

In fact, as for the Kem Aqua at SW they've told me they are totally out of stock and they can't bring in any because of the freezing temps this time of year, ugh!

 

[BMAC]

Yes, more importantly the customer was happy with the finish.

Stain/topcoat is most likely the look you're after.

Tom

[member=4105]tjbnwi[/member]  I couldn't be sure looking at your photos, but was the material used MDF? I assume you used the KA sanding sealer. How many coats of finish did you end up putting on?

 

[tjbnwi]

Materail is MDO.

KA+ Surfacer, 3 coats, sanded between.

1 "dry" coat on the corners, 2 wet coats to cover.

Tom

 

[lambeater]

[member=19713]J0hn[/member] thanks for the pointer to the General Finishes product. I'm thinking it may be a challenge to find this particular product. It isn't listed as a one of the General Finishes products carried by Lee Valley here in Calgary (they carry a bunch of other General Finishes). I'll try another supplier listed on the manufacturers website to see if they carry it as I'd like to try it on another project that is upcoming.

Lee Valley wouldn't likely order this product in at this time due to the cold here in the great white North!

Their website says the following for some of the General Finishes available on their website "These products must be protected against freezing. Therefore, they are not available for shipment from October through April. Available at our retail stores year round"

In fact, as for the Kem Aqua at SW they've told me they are totally out of stock and they can't bring in any because of the freezing temps this time of year, ugh!

Wood Essence in Saskatoon carries all General product and have never had a problem shipping in winter, great to deal with and they have an online store. They also carry Target coatings and black waterborne Em 6000 from Target is good to  spray. Shipping is Fast (usually 2-3 days to kamloops or overnight if you pay a little extra).

Lambeater

 

[BMAC]

[member=8309]lambeater[/member] Thanks for the source lead Lambeater

 

[J0hn]

One of my local lumberyards carries all the General Finishes products.  I really like the Black Poly - very easy to work with/spray

Woodworker's Hardware carries it for the same price I pay locally, but you need to consider the cost of shippinghttp://www.wwhardware.com/catalogsearch/result?order=relevance&dir=asc&q=general+finishes+black+poly

 

[lambeater]

[member=8309]lambeater[/member] Thanks for the source lead Lambeater

Glad to help [smile]