Has anyone used the Stewmac wipe on poly?

[Oliver1]

I'm thinking about using it for my first build. How'd you like it?

[tippie53]

you will do just as well using tru oil or minwax wipe on poly

[Oliver1]

Thanks. Is tru oil really an oil?

[tippie53]

it is a gun stock finish actually

[MaineGeezer]

I think TruOil really is an oil...with a bunch of stuff added to it, probably a dryer. It hardens by reacting with the oxygen the air, which can lead to spontaneous combustion in a balled-up wad of oil-soaked rags. It also causes the stuff to skim over -- or completely solidify -- in the bottle if there is airspace. That can be prevented, or greatly mitigated, by using this stuff: https://www.amazon.com/Bloxygen-Preserv ... r=8-3&th=1

[Oliver1]

Thanks for the help, everybody.

[Bob Gleason]

I have not used the Stew-Mac poly, but have tried many other wipe-on poly finishes in an effort to find something student friendly for people who can't spray a finish on ther projects. The term "poly" is deceptive. The finishes are easy to apply and build fast, but remain quite soft. That may not matter if your project is only intended for yourself because they are also easy to touch up.-Bob

[JLT]

TruOil does give a beautiful finish but it is rather labor intensive... you need to apply several coats of it, each one razor thin, with drying intervals in between.

I've used the wipe-on finish from Musicmakers and it worked well enough for my purposes when I was starting in lutherie. I don't know if they still have it... it doesn't seem to be anywhere on their web site.

I haven't tried the Stew-Mac stuff, though.

In February, I'll be overseeing a project where six people will be making hog-nose psalteries over a four-day interval. It would be nice to find a wipe-on finish for them. I think I'd go with John's suggestion for Minwax, unless somebody comes up with a better solution.

[tippie53]

check out this article that I did it was posted a few years ago using Minwax wipe on Poly
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=8498&hilit=wipe+on+poly

[Diane Kauffmds]

I use Minwax wipe-on poly on my necks. While I french polish or use nitro on the bodies, I use poly on the necks to resist wear and tear to the finish from playing. I only use Minwax wipe-on. I tried Watco wipe-on once when they were out of Minwax and was totally unimpressed.