Do You Prefer Oil-Based or Water-Based Varnish?
The Blind Eternities forum
Posted on July 26, 2020, 9:27 p.m. by DemonDragonJ
My parents and I are all fond of woodworking as a hobby, but they prefer to use oil-based varnish, whereas I prefer to use water-based varnish, and their preference for oil-based varnish annoys me. As far as I am concerned, water-based varnish is completely superior to oil-based varnish, because it dries more quickly, it does not have an unpleasant scent, it leaves the wood its natural color, it is better for the environment, and, because it is water-based, it can be washed away with water, which oil-based varnish cannot.
My parents continue to use oil-based varnish because they insist that it provides superior protection to water-based varnish, but they cannot definitively prove that, so I feel that they are obstinately clinging to an outdated product.
What does everyone else say about this? Do you prefer oil-based or water-based varnish?
DemonDragonJ says... #3
TypicalTimmy, I have not noticed any significant difference in the quality of protection between oil-based varnish and water-based varnish, so I prefer the water-based varnish, for the reasons that I have stated, above. However, I certainly do appreciate your feedback, and will not attempt to convince you to change our mind about this subejct.
July 26, 2020 11:28 p.m.
DemonDragonJ says... #4
TypicalTimmy, I have been woodworking for many years, now, so I feel that I have developed a technique that works for my applications.
I am very fond of making boxes and walking sticks, but I have, on rare occasion, done more complex projects, so I have become accustomed to applying multiple coats of varnish to an object.
It was scent and color that converted me to water-based varnish; I cannot stand the scent of oil-based varnish nor the way that it alters the color of wood, so I have never regretted switching over to water-based varnish.
July 26, 2020 11:48 p.m.
EleshNornsFs says... #5
I use a series of oil-based varnishes the allow for effective penetration and natural color (like water-based) but give the same protection or oil-based. It is pretty bad for the environment if you aren't careful, but it is the medium I am comfortable with.
July 27, 2020 10:31 a.m.
When i was in high school my dad had his own woodworking shop. Most of the furniture that he stripped and restained were originally oil based turned to water based. Oil was overall better for protection; most people that chose to put this on a piece of furniture were choosing it because of being used constantly (dinner table). Those that were choosing water-based were choosing it to bring out the grain of the wood; most of these were picture frames or decorations. In my experience, they both have their place. It just depends on what your application to use what type.
DemonDragonJ says... #2
TypicalTimmy, I varnish wood mainly to protect it, but partially also because I think that varnish contributes to wood's aesthetic appeal.
July 26, 2020 11:10 p.m.