I've applied four coats of Varathane satin sheen water-based polyurethane to my tabletop and let it cure for about a week before using it. Now, just three weeks later, I'm noticing deep scratches even though it hasn't been used much. Did I do something wrong, or is poly just naturally that scratch-prone? I know adding more coats might help, but I'm concerned the finish will still scratch easily. What's your go-to finish for tabletops?
4 Answers
It can take about a month for water-based poly to fully harden, so give it time. I've had great success with both Old Masters and General Finishes; both have solid water-based options that are durable.
You’re not alone! Water-based poly does cure enough for light use but doesn’t really hit its maximum strength until around three to four weeks. Varathane isn’t bad, but products like General Finishes are definitely a step up. For tabletops, I usually go for Arm-R-Seal or a water-based poly with a hardener that I spray on.
If you want to stick with water-based but need something tougher, check out TotalBoat Halcyon. It builds up nicely and cures hard!
I’d recommend trying General Finishes products over the big box brands. Their Arm R Seal for oil-based poly and High Performance topcoat for water-based poly have really held up well for me on tabletops and desktops. You might find them more durable!
I used General Finishes gel stain last month and was super impressed with how it turned out!