Watco Vs Minwax Wipe-On Poly - Any Obvious Difference?

In today’s article, we will be exploring the obvious difference between Watco and Minwax wipe-on poly. As a woodworker, the overall output of your work is greatly influenced by the choice of wood finish you make.

Any choice you make must be able to fulfill these two goals. To beautify your wood project and effectively protect your wood project from damage.

One of the most commonly used finishes is polyurethane. It is often called poly. Watco and Minwax wipe-on poly are good examples of the oil-based polyurethane finish. They combine the high durability of polyurethane with the easy wipe you get while applying an oil finish.

In this post, we will be sharing with you everything you need to know about Watco and Minwax wipe-on poly. We will also show you some similarities between them and most importantly, the obvious difference between them.

What is Watco?

Watco wipe-on poly is an amazing polyurethane finish that protects the wood. It can be applied with the hand on several pieces of furniture for easy protection. This furniture includes intricate items like relics and ornamental wood designs, cabinets, chairs, tables, and countertops. Watco can also be applied on painted or bare wooden interior surfaces.

Watco wipe-on poly is durable and gives a clear and nice result after use. It provides the wood with strong protection against water, household chemicals, stains, and generally against wear and tear also known as abrasion.

For furniture with high details Watco wipe-on poly is a go-to. It is not recommended for floors and exterior wood surfaces

How Watco works?

Tips you must know before starting:

Use Watco wipe-on poly only in an environment with a temperature between 60-90F (16-32C). It should also have a relative humidity that is not more than 85%.
In a damp and humid environment, give it a long time to dry
Do not shake the container before use. You can stir the content with a rod.

Preparation:

The surface must be free from varnish, wax or paint, mildew, polish, grease, shellac, or other forms of previous finishes. Clean the surface you intend to apply and ensure the surface is dry. You can clean it better with a solution of 10% household and water.
If sanding is necessary, sand the surface while following the wood grain. Use 120-grit sandpaper initially. You can progress to the use of 150-grit sandpaper. Later you can use 180 grit paper and finally 220 grit paper for better results.
Clean off the surface after sanding to remove all dust and dirt. Use can use a vacuum or a tack cloth. For effectiveness, you can use a rag dampened with mineral spirits.

Applying Watco wipe-on poly:

First coat. After the surface is prepared, flood the surface with Watco wipe-on poly using a good quality lint-free cloth or a rag. Then wait for 3 to 4 hours.
Second coat. Apply Watco wipe-on poly. Wait for 3 to 4 hours
Third coat. Apply Watco wipe-on poly. Wait for 3 to 4 hours
Fourth coat. Sand the surface lightly and follow the direction of the grain. Use 220 grit sandpaper. Remove all dust from the surface with a rag dampened with mineral spirit.
Finally, apply Watco wipe-on poly and wait for the final output.

Dispose of the rags

The rags you used in applying Watco wipe-on poly may combust spontaneously if you do not dispose of them properly:

To avoid any risk, gather all the used rags in a metal container that is sealed.
Dispose of it according to your local disposal regulations.
Wipe off Watco from the tools you used with mineral spirit.

Applications of Watco

Watco wipe-on poly can be applied to interior furniture. This furniture includes cabinets, doors, kitchen worktops, chairs, tables, shelves, and other craft projects
It can be applied to intricate wood items. Watco wipe-on poly helps to protect items that have detailed carvings. You can also reach the recessed part with bare hands or tiny brushes.
Watco wipe-on poly can be applied on bare, stained, or already painted wood surfaces. The wood stain includes Watco darnish paint and other brands of wood stain.

What is Minwax Wipe-On Poly?

Minwax wipe-on poly is a clear oil-based polyurethane that is durable and perfect for protecting interior wood surfaces. It is hard-wearing and seals with classic hand-rubbed beauty.

Minwax wipe-on poly is used to protect interior wood against food stains, household chemicals, water, and abrasion

It has ultra-fast drying qualities that make people want to go for it. Its durability coupled with its warmth and beauty makes it an outstanding polyurethane.

You can use Minwax wipe-on poly for carved, embossed, or surfaces that are well profiled. It is excellent in hiding scratches that are superficial in previous wood.

You can choose the color you want and use it as a protective coat over bare wood. It adds beauty to interior surfaces such as door panels, cabinets, and other furniture. It is great for railings and trim

It is available in satin and gloss finishes.

How Minwax Wipe-On Poly Works

Preparation:

The surface must be free from dirt, particles, grease, finish, or old paints.
Sand the surface with 220-grit sandpaper to give a uniform and smooth surface.
Remove the dust particles from the sanding process.
You can decide to apply a stain on the surface such as a Minwax wood finish. Do well to check the can for directions on how to use it and how long it takes to dry.

Application of Minwax Wipe Poly:

Shake the container thoroughly before use to prevent it from settling in the bottom.
First coat. Apply a little amount of Minwax wipe on poly to a soft and clean cloth and rub the surface of the wood. Allow it to dry for about 2 to 3 hours. Sand it lightly with 220 grit sandpaper. Remove the dust after.
Second coat. Apply Minwax with a soft cloth on the wood. Allow it to dry for about 2 to 3 hours. Sand it lightly with 220 grit sandpaper. Remove the dust after.
Third coat. Apply Minwax with a soft cloth on the wood. Allow it to dry for about 24 hours before use.

Note: In the process of removal of removing, paint, shellac, or other finishes, safety must be considered. Any of these may generate emit or generate dust or fumes that have lead contents.

Exposure to lead dust or fumes can be very hazardous to health. It can cause brain damage, especially in children and pregnant women

Applications of Minwax Wipe-On Poly

Minwax wipe-on poly can be used for interior wood surfaces like cabinets countertops, doors, shelves, chairs, etc.
it can be applied to detailed carvings and intricate items. These items need a nice wipe-on that dries faster and is durable.
Minwax can be used on railings and trims.

Note: Minwax should not be used on exterior floors.

Similarities between Watco Wipe-On Poly and Minwax Wipe-On Poly.

They are both polyurethane, but different brands.
They are both wipe-on polyurethane. You can use your hand when applying them on wood surfaces.
Their applications are the same. They are applied on interior surfaces, not exterior wood surfaces.
They are also applied to intricate items like relics, and well-carved-out woods.
They both have an amber effect on wood. This quality makes them less suitable for light-colored woods.

Differences between Watco and Minwax Wipe-On Poly

You don’t have to shake the Watco wipe-oil before use. You can stir with a smooth rod. For Minwax, it is required that you shake the container thoroughly before use.
Watco wipe-on poly has a higher percentage of oil, this prevents it from drying fast. Minwax has little or no oil. This gives it ultra-fast drying characteristics that make people go for it.
Watco is thinner. This quality makes it difficult to build up a standard finish in a few coats. You might have to use 3 to 5 coats to get your desired result. Minwax is thicker. You can use a few coats of Minwax and get your desired output.
When it comes to durability, people opt for Minwax rather than Watco.
Watco wipe-on poly is used often on intricate items that have detailed and well-profiled carvings Minwax wipe-on poly is not often used for intricate items, but it can be used for railings and trims.
Although the watch takes more coat, it is easier to sand it. Minwax is not so easy to sand.
Minwax is available in gloss and satin. Watco is not
Minwax has less odor than Watco
Minwax is much easier to clean up with water than Watco

Conclusion

Watco wipe-on poly and Minwax wipe-on poly are similar in several things. You just have to know what you want before you go for any. They are both durable and nice after application.

In this article, we are sure that you must have learned about what Watco wipe-on poly and Minwax wipe-on poly is, how they work, where they can be applied, some similarities between them, and finally the differences between them.

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