A Good Water-Based Polyurethane

A Good Water-Based Polyurethane

Dear Mr. MacArthur,

I thought your article in EBN (Vol. 2, No. 3) on “Water-based Poly­urethanes” was useful and timely. We now routinely recommend a water-based finish for health reasons, especially if it is applied in cold weather when adequate ventilation is difficult. Did you try a product called “Hydrolite” (now replaced by a similar product called “Easy Street”) from Basic Coatings? It is a catalyzed urethane/acrylic coating, available in gloss and satin finishes. We’ve used the satin finish on oak and pine floors, and have been happy with the results.

I agree that this type of finish looks “like a layer of plastic sitting on top of the wood” when compared to an oil finish. But we’ve found the durability to be quite good. Using the pad-type applicator recommended by the manufacturer, I’ve had no problems with it smoothing out properly. Its main drawback is the high cost, although in commercial use the labor saved with quicker application and drying time could offset it. For homeowners, the price is a big hurdle.

If you had different results with “Hydrolite/Easy Street,” I’d appreciate your comments. Thanks.

Sincerely,

Alan Wasco

Housing Resource Center

Cleveland, Ohio