I know Bart uses GF but anyone with knowledge of General Finish clear Enduro would be appreciated. I have used this finish and really like it especially the flat version but never on a kitchen. I’m considering using it on a cherry kitchen, natural no stain. I’m familiar with spraying and brushing it so good there. Question is how many coats and can I feel comfortable with the durability?
Thanks,
Al

Thanks for the shout out Al.

I'm right in the middle of a big cherry kitchen project for a long time client. I'm using a 50/50 light brown dye stain with H20 that I've used a bunch in the past. It's just an outstanding look. It looks like what folks think "cherry" looks like. Very subtle, just gives it nice look and the GF flat is the way too go.

My recipe is spray stain with a 50/50 mix of GF LB stain & H20, spray wipe. Two coats GF sanding sealer and two coats flat GF.......let it sit overnight, and hit with a sheet of dead 2000grit.....total money!

Deaden the sheet of 2000 by rubbing it on the edge of your bench or my favorite the driveway.

my2cts
Bart

Thanks Bart,
Have you used their CV Enduro? I have never used their sealer, I find no grain raising issues when using just the poly on cherry and walnut.

The CV uses a nasty isocyanate catalyst that I want no part of. You need head to toe protection as soon as you open the bottle. It's serious stuff.

I never worry about grain raise. It's highly overrated. Especially on cherry or walnut.

cheers
Bart

You will get better color from the cherry using endurovar. The sanding sealer is an unnecessary step and stays water white. in the process and an additional purchase. Thin the first two coats for penetration then two full strength coats

it can also help to use a light stain that will mimic the color of an oilbased finish first. Especially on a wood like cherry.

Johnathan, I've used the endurovar a few times. Nice stuff but it's slow to dry and recoat, not as hard as the poly and costs more.

Also I put a touch of orange dye in the poly to give it that solvent look.

cheers
Bart

I took a piece of cherry with one side just enduro poly, 4 coats. Other side solvent base natural stain, 4 coats. The side with stain looks nicer. Does the poly hold up around dishwasher?

What type solvent stain? I would only sign off with an alcohol based dye. Anything else just adds uncertainty, incompatibilty and liability issues. GF has a full line of dyes and their RTM stains. Why wander?

As for dishwasher panels and surrounding area's make sure you put an extra coat on the faces and I always put at least 2-3 coats on the back of a dishwasher panel because of the steam issue.

Cheers
Bart

Amber dye helps, but its still not the same. And no it doesnt get as hard. at least not for a long time...

There are better products out there than both of the above listed though. The general precat comes close, but in my experience scratches way too easily and is brittle.

Im currently using Chemcraft Aqualux uniclear, and MLC MagnaMax H2O. both of which have better clarity and are faster to dry and stack than even the GF Poly... I still use the GF poly as a clear over light paints(also GF poly)