Surfix and Topcoats

[bottley]

I'm a novice when it comes to finishing....
Is there a need to put a poly topcoat on surfix?
If so under what conditions?

 

[leakyroof]

If you want more UV protection or just general protection than what the Surfix can offer,you can put an oil based Film Finish over the oil once it dries enough. I use Epifanes Varnishes if I'm doing this and have had great results, but you are probably okay with oil based finishes in general over the Surfix. Will this be outside?  If so, I'd recommend Exterior Rated products only.
A water based finish might also work, but the Surfix would really need to be dry and not react with the topcoat.

 

[bottley]

Thanks
This is a Side Board so the us isn't important.
I think I'll leave just as it is.

 

[yetihunter]

It's been a minute since I looked at each MSDS, but I'm pretty confident that all three surfix finishes are a wax/resin/oil blend.  The only thing I'd put over wax is more wax.

 

[leakyroof]

It's been a minute since I looked at each MSDS, but I'm pretty confident that all three surfix finishes are a wax/resin/oil blend.  The only thing I'd put over wax is more wax.

  I've top coated Surfix Oils with Varnish with zero problems, maybe the wax amount is too small to cause issues?

 

[Poindexter]

I've top coated Surfix Oils with Varnish with zero problems, maybe the wax amount is too small to cause issues?

How long did you wait before applying another finish over Surfix?

 

[leakyroof]

I've top coated Surfix Oils with Varnish with zero problems, maybe the wax amount is too small to cause issues?

How long did you wait before applying another finish over Surfix?

Usually only 1 to 2 days

 

[yetihunter]

It's been a minute since I looked at each MSDS, but I'm pretty confident that all three surfix finishes are a wax/resin/oil blend.  The only thing I'd put over wax is more wax.

  I've top coated Surfix Oils with Varnish with zero problems, maybe the wax amount is too small to cause issues?

Your positive real world results trump my postulated theory.   
I may just give it a try on my Walnut furniture I "surfixed" last fall.
I made a mess in my living room when it was time to burnish with the vlies.  [big grin]

I think the wax amount varies with the three surfix finishes.  On paper, the solvent in the varnish could be
liquifying the wax.  That's my best answer.  To be honest, I don't care about the brass tax.  If it works, it works. 

 

[Poindexter]

I've top coated Surfix Oils with Varnish with zero problems, maybe the wax amount is too small to cause issues?

How long did you wait before applying another finish over Surfix?

Usually only 1 to 2 days

This is exciting news. I just finished Surfixing a beautiful ambrosia Maple desk. The beetle holes didn't hold the epoxy well, so some spray Laquer might be just the final touch.

 

[yetihunter]

In theory, the outdoor oil can be topped with another finish and the
One-step and Heavy Duty are at our own risk.  One-step seems be the waxiest.
With Heavy Duty, the solvent probably passes through the microrystaline wax particles and pushes said wax up and over the varnish. 
Based on my pulled out of my rear end scientific knowledge, of course .

 

[leakyroof]

Although this project used a different oil/finish under a Varnish- [General Finishes Outdoor Oil], it's pretty similar to Surfix oil with maybe more resin in it than Surfix.  Reclaimed Table, in a sorry state to begin with....all those outer segments were loose and not attached to the main table section- Everything was piled up at a curb, waiting for the trash truck to haul it away near where I worked.  I kept driving by each day looking at the pieces, and wondering..... So, finally I took the mess home 1 day before the garage truck got it... [embarassed]

 

[leakyroof]

sanded and rebuilt----

 

[leakyroof]

Oiled----

 

[leakyroof]

And finally post Varnish and some Boat Caulking at the seams- I started with White, but the general consensus was not so good, so I pulled the white out and went with Black instead. Varnish is Epifanes Gloss.

 

[yetihunter]

[thumbs up]