I'm building a guitar pedalboard/briefcase using walnut and padauk, and since I'll be gigging with it, I want it to be durable. I know that polyurethane is a great choice for protection, but I find it a bit tedious to apply due to the meticulous process involved. Is there a simpler finish that still provides similar protection? Thanks!
2 Answers
Make sure you use regular mineral spirits and not low-odor or 'green' types; they don't mix well with oil-based poly. Another option you might like is General Finishes Arm-R-Seal, which is thin enough to use straight from the can as a wiping finish.
You can thin your polyurethane with mineral spirits at a 1:1 ratio, which makes it super easy to apply. Just wipe it on and let it dry – no fussing around! Repeat this a few times and you're golden!
I'm actually using thinned poly on a tool tote right now. Thinning it out definitely makes a difference for most finishes!
Where have you been all my life?! Thanks for the tip!
Thanks for the heads up! I'll definitely stick to regular mineral spirits.