The Best Wood Furniture Sealers for a Long-Lasting Finish
No matter the environment, be it an indoor residential building, an industrial factory or warehouse, an outdoor deck, or even a boat launch and dock, wooden substrates should be sealed against the elements, and that includes furniture as well. Wood furniture sealers sink into the open spaces of the wood, between the grains, and cure into a smooth, protective barrier that keeps out moisture and other contaminants. Some improve adhesion for later coatings, while others improve surface maintenance and help prevent staining. Picking the right type of wood sealer for the right environment saves time, money, and stress in the long run. Today, we’re providing an overview of the basic categories of wood furniture sealers and the applications to which they are best suited.
The Various Categories of Wood Sealers
Almost all sealers for wooden furniture and similar surfaces are either water-based or oil-based, and are the focus of this article. Other sealers also have excellent uses and properties, but aren’t nearly as popular.
- Epoxies for wood substrates are best suited to applications that require high-moisture and chemical resistance, such as basements, bathrooms, industrial environments, and structural applications.
- Wax-based sealers are popular among expert woodworkers and hobbyists who want a more aesthetic touch, but only offer basic moisture resistance at best.
- Polyurethane sealers, which can be water- or oil-based, are highly resistant to foot traffic and similar environmental stressors, making them excellent for wooden floors and decks.
Water-Based Wood Furniture Sealers
Water-based sealers are best known for their combination of versatility, environmental protection, and low toxicity. They are used widely in commercial, professional, and consumer applications because of this balance of performance and low health and environmental impact. This category of wood furniture sealers not only preserves the wood’s natural appearance, but also dries quickly and effectively, making it a popular choice for outdoor decks, furniture, and similar applications. These products are usually easy to apply and maintain, resisting basic household and commercial cleaners, as well as common stains from a variety of different contaminants.
Today, many water-based wood sealers have evolved into acrylic emulsion sealers. Acrylics not only provide all of the benefits of their precursors–they also often resist UV rays, damage due to debris, and high-moisture environments.
Oil-Based Wood Furniture Sealers
Oil-based sealers, while not as environmentally friendly due to the higher VOC concentration, tend to offer even better protection and long-term sealing. Oil-based sealers tend to penetrate deeper into the substrate, and though they take longer to dry, provide a richer aesthetic finish, increased protection against damp environments, and natural UV resistance. These types of wood sealers are typically applied to indoor furniture, where aesthetics are crucial, or outdoor furniture in high-moisture environments, or locations that see a lot of rain throughout the year.
More recently developed, bio-based oil sealants offer a balance of high performance and resistance, with less environmental impact. These types of oil-based sealers may even strengthen and nourish the wood substrate to improve longevity, depending on how they are made, making them excellent for indoor furniture and trimming, applications that value long-lasting aesthetic appeal.
Ottopol WRX-40: Gellner Industrial’s Acrylic Polymer for Long-Lasting Protection
Gellner Industrial’s Ottopol WRX-40 is a unique self cross-linking polymer that can be easily formulated into a clear sealant for indoor and outdoor wooden surfaces. The resulting top-coat is highly resistant to abrasion, staining, and moisture, and is extremely strong due to its crosslinking nature. Ottopol SF-45 has been tested and used in both clear coatings that maintain that natural grainy appearance, as well as clear top-coatings for painted furniture.
Interested in learning more?
Gellner Industrial LLC is a premiere manufacturer and developer of a variety of water-based acrylic polymers used in all different types of coatings, inks, and adhesives. For more information, or to request a free sample of Ottopol WRX-40 or any of our products, feel free to contact our team to get started!
