Suggestions for a water based finish that is durable like Conversion Varnish

FOGNewbie

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Any suggestions on a Water based finish that is about as durable as a conversion varnish that would be available in NA? Also, since the plan would be to apply it to MDF, any suggestions on a sealer?
 
FOGNewbie said:
Any suggestions on a Water based finish that is about as durable as a conversion varnish that would be available in NA? Also, since the plan would be to apply it to MDF, any suggestions on a sealer?

Spraying or brushing/wipe on?
 
I've applied conversion varnish to roughly 2 million square ft of flooring, mostly Synteko and Glitsa.  The last few years, Ive been doing more and more water based, but have yet to find one that matches the durability.  The closest, based on what I've seen, is Bona Traffic. It's very nice to work with and beats out all other water based finishes and oil based finishes when Taber tested.  A coat or 2 of Bona DTS sealer works very nicely under the traffic.
 
Tim Raleigh said:
FOGNewbie said:
Any suggestions on a Water based finish that is about as durable as a conversion varnish that would be available in NA? Also, since the plan would be to apply it to MDF, any suggestions on a sealer?

Spraying or brushing/wipe on?

Spray-on since I have an Earlex 6900 HVLP, but am open to other ways to apply the finish.
 
Walk On Wood said:
I've applied conversion varnish to roughly 2 million square ft of flooring, mostly Synteko and Glitsa.  The last few years, Ive been doing more and more water based, but have yet to find one that matches the durability.  The closest, based on what I've seen, is Bona Traffic. It's very nice cto work with and beats out all other water based finishes and oil based finishes when Taber tested.  A coat or 2 of Bona DTS sealer works very nicely under the traffic.

Thanks. I will have to explore this more. Maybe I can contact Bona to see if it will work on MDF. Thanks!
 
FOGNewbie said:
Tim Raleigh said:
Spraying or brushing/wipe on?

Spray-on since I have an Earlex 6900 HVLP, but am open to other ways to apply the finish.

Sorry, another question, is there a reason why you want to use a Conversion Varnish over say a polyurethane or a lacquer?

Oh, were you planning on tinting the Conversion varnish or using it as a clear coat?

If you are not a pro, and are looking for a consumer product recommendation Tom's recommendation is probably your best bet. Sherwin Williams also makes a conversion varnish that you may want to consider.

Tim
 
General finishes :

Enduro conversion varnish.

Or simpler would be enduro var.

 
[
Tim Raleigh said:
FOGNewbie said:
Tim Raleigh said:
Spraying or brushing/wipe on?

Spray-on since I have an Earlex 6900 HVLP, but am open to other ways to apply the finish.

Sorry, another question, is there a reason why you want to use a Conversion Varnish over say a polyurethane or a lacquer?

Oh, were you planning on tinting the Conversion varnish or using it as a clear coat?

If you are not a pro, and are looking for a consumer product recommendation Tom's recommendation is probably your best bet. Sherwin Williams also makes a conversion varnish that you may want to consider.

Tim

I am not a pro. I was looking at something like a Conversion Varnish because of durability, but without some of the harsh chemicals that come with traditional Conversion varnishes. I was also hoping to be able to color/ tint the material and possibly buff it out. Still learning about finishing and spraying.

Thanks to all!

Tom, I will look into Kem Aqua. When I contacted Sherwin Williams( have an account) directly, they bounced me around quite a bit. Now that I know what to ask for, the conversation should move along. Especially since it appears the sealer one uses on MDF is driven by what you are finishing with.

Again, thanks to all. Much to consider.
 
FOGNewbie said:
[
Tim Raleigh said:
FOGNewbie said:
Tim Raleigh said:
Spraying or brushing/wipe on?

Spray-on since I have an Earlex 6900 HVLP, but am open to other ways to apply the finish.

Sorry, another question, is there a reason why you want to use a Conversion Varnish over say a polyurethane or a lacquer?

Oh, were you planning on tinting the Conversion varnish or using it as a clear coat?

If you are not a pro, and are looking for a consumer product recommendation Tom's recommendation is probably your best bet. Sherwin Williams also makes a conversion varnish that you may want to consider.

Tim

I am not a pro. I was looking at something like a Conversion Varnish because of durability, but without some of the harsh chemicals that come with traditional Conversion varnishes. I was also hoping to be able to color/ tint the material and possibly buff it out. Still learning about finishing and spraying.

Thanks to all!

Tom, I will look into Kem Aqua. When I contacted Sherwin Williams( have an account) directly, they bounced me around quite a bit. Now that I know what to ask for, the conversation should move along. Especially since it appears the sealer one uses on MDF is driven by what you are finishing with.

Again, thanks to all. Much to consider.

Depending on the store they may not help you. You may have to go to a commercial store. There is white KA+ that can be tinted.

Tom
 
tjbnwi said:
FOGNewbie said:
[
Tim Raleigh said:
FOGNewbie said:
Tim Raleigh said:
Spraying or brushing/wipe on?

Spray-on since I have an Earlex 6900 HVLP, but am open to other ways to apply the finish.

Sorry, another question, is there a reason why you want to use a Conversion Varnish over say a polyurethane or a lacquer?

Oh, were you planning on tinting the Conversion varnish or using it as a clear coat?

If you are not a pro, and are looking for a consumer product recommendation Tom's recommendation is probably your best bet. Sherwin Williams also makes a conversion varnish that you may want to consider.

Tim

I am not a pro. I was looking at something like a Conversion Varnish because of durability, but without some of the harsh chemicals that come with traditional Conversion varnishes. I was also hoping to be able to color/ tint the material and possibly buff it out. Still learning about finishing and spraying.

Thanks to all!

Tom, I will look into Kem Aqua. When I contacted Sherwin Williams( have an account) directly, they bounced me around quite a bit. Now that I know what to ask for, the conversation should move along. Especially since it appears the sealer one uses on MDF is driven by what you are finishing with.

Again, thanks to all. Much to consider.

Depending on the store they may not help you. You may have to go to a commercial store. There is white KA+ that can be tinted.

Tom

Thanks for the tip! I started with a regular store. Called the main corporate tech service got bounced to the local Commercial store, who said what they carry they couldn't sell to me because I didn't have a commercial spray booth(Minnesota state reg.) then the contractor store suggested wait for it....Hirschfields.

They Hirschfields gave me some samples of  IC&S distributed ILVA Conversion Varnish. IC&S/ ILVA Products linkhttp://www.ics-ilva.com/wood-finishing-products.php

I still plan on securing some Kem Aqua to give it a try.

Thanks again!
 
FOGNewbie said:
Called the main corporate tech service got bounced to the local Commercial store, who said what they carry they couldn't sell to me because I didn't have a commercial spray booth(Minnesota state reg.)

I would check to see if the commercial spray booth regulations only apply to solvent based finishes. Don't get me started on the Nanny state taking over...
The tech may have not understood your request of a waterborne coating vs. solvent based.
I would just go down to the store in your paint clothes and ask for some KA+.
Tim
 
Tim Raleigh said:
FOGNewbie said:
Called the main corporate tech service got bounced to the local Commercial store, who said what they carry they couldn't sell to me because I didn't have a commercial spray booth(Minnesota state reg.)

I would check to see if the commercial spray booth regulations only apply to solvent based finishes. Don't get me started on the Nanny state taking over...
The tech may have not understood your request of a waterborne coating vs. solvent based.
I would just go down to the store in your paint clothes and ask for some KA+.
Tim

Sorry I skipped a step, or three, in the story. I originally asked about durable finishes for two different purposes which were some durable finish(es) for cabinets and speaker boxes made out of MDF. That is where the getting passed around part came in. The retail store didn't know what primer to use over MDF.

The way I was told that Sherwin Williams was set up (when I called their tech service) was they had Commercial stores, contractor, and "Normal" retail/consumer stores(contractors can and do buy here as well). When I was connected with the Commercial store, they said the only stuff they had is stuff you need the commercial spray booth for. Then said I should call the contractors store. I called them and the contractor guy, who was surprised that the commercial store couldn't help me, suggested that I go to the retail store. That is when I told him that I had already stopped by two retail stores, and called tech service, prior to calling the commercial store, and him. He suggested I try Hirschfields, because they have some good furniture related products.

I will re approach the Contractor store and ask for Aqua Kem and the appropriate primer for MDF.

This thread has been very helpful because now I know what to ask for. What i've found is if you know what product you want/ need Sherwin, etc. are very helpful. As an amateur, I'm finding out that figuring out what is best for an application sometimes takes some work. Especially when you are coming from a point of knowing little to nothing about a subject. What I love about the FOG is one can ask questions freely and get great answers.
 
If you're looking for a non-clear primer for the MDF, use SW Wall and Wood.

Tom
 
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