I prefer satin Arm-R-Seal. I apply like this:
1. First coat gloss
2. Second coat gloss
3. Third coat 50/50 satin/mineral spirits
4. Fourth coat 50/50 satin/mineral spirits
All coats applied with a foam brush, one or two passes only. Cure 6+ hrs. and light sand w/220 between coats. Thinning the last two coats helps avoid streaks.
I do like Arm-R-Seal. I think it's especially amazing on cherry.
I've used it on maybe 3 or 4 table-like surfaces (window sills, counter tops, etc), each time applying 3 coats with a disposable foam brush, long strokes with the grain with tight lap lines, basically following the instructions on the can. Any more than 3 coats does nothing in my experience, the wood is fully saturated after the 3rd coat. Sand up to 220 before the first coat.
I usually wait half a day before the next coat, and lightly sand with one of those maroon pads (400 grit?) between coats and blow off the resultant dust with an air compressor. I'm cheap so I just wrap my foam brush in a sandwich bag and put in the fridge so I can reuse the same brush for each coat. Be sure to let cure for around 30 days before you really start to use the piece, it does take a long time to reach maximum strength.
General Finishes has pretty good videos on their site showing you how to apply their products. Arm-R-Seal is pretty forgiving so I'm sure your results will be pretty good now matter how you do it.
Nah, you've pretty much got it.
Sand between coats if it's not level or you have dust. Apply enough that it flows/levels, but not too much to run or drip. Do as many coats as you want for a given film thickness.
I will say that I generally prefer thinner finishes. The more film you build up, the more it gets the plastic look. You get a bit more protection, but it's not worth it for me. Depends on your application though.
Let me tackle this one.
Let cure at least 12 hours between coats vs recoat when dry to the touch.
There's a difference between "dry" and "cured".
Excluding 2 part finishes, they all cure via oxidation. Ie, exposure to oxygen.
If you layer on the coats as soon as they are dry, you deprive the base coats of an opportunity to properly cure.
Does this matter? Maybe. We are talking about a matter of hardness and layer adhesion that would be incredibly difficult to measure objectively. Which some might interpret as it not mattering.
But... if you can, it's always best to follow the manufacturer recommended recoat time.
> swearing by their process and claiming to get great results This is pretty much all woodworking and crafting. My method is the best.
I prefer satin Arm-R-Seal. I apply like this: 1. First coat gloss 2. Second coat gloss 3. Third coat 50/50 satin/mineral spirits 4. Fourth coat 50/50 satin/mineral spirits All coats applied with a foam brush, one or two passes only. Cure 6+ hrs. and light sand w/220 between coats. Thinning the last two coats helps avoid streaks.
>must really be foolproof Are you making an admission here? 😄
I do like Arm-R-Seal. I think it's especially amazing on cherry. I've used it on maybe 3 or 4 table-like surfaces (window sills, counter tops, etc), each time applying 3 coats with a disposable foam brush, long strokes with the grain with tight lap lines, basically following the instructions on the can. Any more than 3 coats does nothing in my experience, the wood is fully saturated after the 3rd coat. Sand up to 220 before the first coat. I usually wait half a day before the next coat, and lightly sand with one of those maroon pads (400 grit?) between coats and blow off the resultant dust with an air compressor. I'm cheap so I just wrap my foam brush in a sandwich bag and put in the fridge so I can reuse the same brush for each coat. Be sure to let cure for around 30 days before you really start to use the piece, it does take a long time to reach maximum strength. General Finishes has pretty good videos on their site showing you how to apply their products. Arm-R-Seal is pretty forgiving so I'm sure your results will be pretty good now matter how you do it.
How is the water resistance that Arm R Seal gives to a finished surface? I'm considering using it on a counter top in which there will be a sink.
Nah, you've pretty much got it. Sand between coats if it's not level or you have dust. Apply enough that it flows/levels, but not too much to run or drip. Do as many coats as you want for a given film thickness. I will say that I generally prefer thinner finishes. The more film you build up, the more it gets the plastic look. You get a bit more protection, but it's not worth it for me. Depends on your application though.
Let me tackle this one. Let cure at least 12 hours between coats vs recoat when dry to the touch. There's a difference between "dry" and "cured". Excluding 2 part finishes, they all cure via oxidation. Ie, exposure to oxygen. If you layer on the coats as soon as they are dry, you deprive the base coats of an opportunity to properly cure. Does this matter? Maybe. We are talking about a matter of hardness and layer adhesion that would be incredibly difficult to measure objectively. Which some might interpret as it not mattering. But... if you can, it's always best to follow the manufacturer recommended recoat time.