Water-based grain fillers,sealers and warnish, how good are they?

[ChubE.Bubba]

I''v e got a bunch of bodies to do and I am am leaning towards using water based, products including brush on varnish.

I also have v and some cans of spray nitrocellulose lacquer.

First question:  anyone have experience with the water based stuff?  I like the idea of eliminating all the fumes, but the brushing seems like I might not get as good of a finish.

2nd, what would happen f I used the water based filler and sealer, then used the spray stuff?  Would they get along?
any thoughts?

 

[Cagey]

I'm not a chemist, but from a practical point of view, I think the biggest difference between water-based and solvent-based components is that water isn't considered "volatile", so the fillers/sealers/stains/finishes don't dry/cure quite as rapidly. Fillers usually aren't sprayed regardless of their vehicle, but water-based sealers, stains and finishes can be sprayed as easily as anything else. I've even mixed them, using water-based fillers and stains with solvent-based finishes and had good results. I built a step stool that got finished that way, and while it's taken some real abuse from shoes, slippers, etc. it still looks great.

 

[bagman67]

I've used Timbermate's water based grain filler (available at Woodcraft online and in their stores) and it dries pretty quickly - quite hard within half an hour.  So you want to thin it, and not apply too generously, because sanding it off is a mother humper.

Bagman

 

[Watershed]

KTM9 is a water based finish.
I have done a few guitars with it, and think it's great stuff.
Probably a bit more durable than nitro.

It needs to be sprayed on though.
You could use a Preval unit.

Good luck,
James

 

[-CB-]

Water based... not bad, stir it well!

I use an old credit card "sample" to scrape the filler off the wood before its dry. 

Do small areas at a time.  Too big and it dries before you can scrape it, then you have a buttload of sanding.