Serious question, is there a push for safer finishes in your shops too?

I notice a lot of talk about reducing fumes and toxins from finishes. It feels like the industry might be shifting towards healthier options. Have you found any products that work well without the strong smell?

3 comments

3 Comments

phoenix_martin401d ago

Are the new water-based finishes really as safe as they claim? I heard on a podcast that some still have hidden chemicals (even if the smell is gone). It made me wonder if we're just trading one problem for another, you know? But seeing folks switch over like you guys did seems promising. I might give that General Finishes stuff a try if it holds up well. Honestly, not dealing with headaches sounds worth the switch alone.

emmaking1d ago

Ugh, don't get me started. I'm pretty sure I lost a few brain cells to oil-based varnish fumes in my early twenties. My old shop smelled like a chemical plant. I've been trying a bunch of the new stuff, and like @nguyen.kevin said, the water-based polys are a game changer. The smell is gone so fast you can almost work in the same room. It's not perfect for everything, but for most of my indoor pieces, it's what I reach for now. Feels good not to gas myself out.

nguyen.kevin1d ago

We switched to a water-based polyurethane from General Finishes last year. It dries crazy fast and the smell is way less intense, barely noticeable after a few hours. My old oil-based stuff would give me a headache for days. It's held up really well on a few tables I've made, no yellowing either.