Top Coats
Choose what you like the best for your top-coat. Oil based products like tung oil look natural and nice but don’t offer the same degree of protection as their more toxic alternatives. Polyurethane creates a hard, durable finish, available in many sheens. Water-based polyurethanes are easy to use and environmentally friendlier. Lacquer is a durable, age-old quality finish, but requires more expertise and effort to apply. It is also the most toxic—REALLY.
Water-based Polyurethane
Water-based polyurethanes are popular, easy to use and environmentally friendly. Clean with soap and water. Very nice. Not as toxic but may raise would grain, especially if you don’t condition the wood with a moist rag first several times before application. To do this, simply moisten the wood, just a little, and let dry. Then sand lightly. Repeat this two times before applying the water-based polyurethane. Don’t worry about the white, milky color as you begin to apply. It’ll dry clear. Water-based polyurethane won’t leave an amber color like oil bases will. Keep this in mind. The amber is more traditional. Depends on what you want. However, the water based will dry much faster.
Polyurethane
Polyurethane is durable and resistant to water and alcohol and can be gotten in many hues. Don’t forget to stir, lightly, so as to not make too many bubbles. Use a brush or sponge-brush and sand lightly between coats to remove “nobules” and bug parts. Don’t apply too thick or you’ll get puddles and drips and the like. No big deal if this happens. Just means more finish sanding.
Lacquer
Lacquer makes for a beautiful finish. It dries very quickly and can be sprayed or brushed. It cannot be used over paint or other topcoats since it will soften and lift the finish. For the best finish, spray rather than brush. But if you like, use a natural bristle, quality brush and work quickly with thinner on hand. The final coat can be rubbed out with 0000 steel wool and paste wax, or polished with polishing compound (automotive compound) for a soft luster.
Serious damage can be done as a result of not wearing a fume mask and
having proper ventilation.