Minwax Polycrylic Matte 1/2-Pt

I was nervous to try this product out but was pleasantly surprised! It went on easily and dries quickly. I was surprised that there is hardly an odor with this product too. I chalk painted my entertainment center and after a few paint chipping, decided I needed a protective coating over it if I didn't want to repaint every 2 years. A blogger recommended this product and I couldn't have agreed with her more. I chose the satin gloss to give it a pretty shine and it made the color pop more. I'm incredibly happy with the end results.

The dry time for this product is amazing. Provides a beautiful clear coat. Photo is a Birch butcher block with Minwax Colonial Maple stain and Minwax satin finish Polycrylic.

I had a carpenter make a rolling "wine bar" that was paint grade, but being amazing, he used a top quality basswood plywood with maple trim. Once I saw it I decided I didn't want to cover it up, just protect the wood. He recommended a water based product, as did Home Depot (way easier to use, to clean up, and the fumes are much less). I bought this in Clear Satin. I used the technique and patience of a deranged raccoon. I had watched a YouTube video of a women discussing how careful you need to be, to only stir slowly and not shake the can, to only go one way and in the direction of the grain, be wary of brush strokes and bubbles, etc. Nope. Tom Sawyer would have laughed at my application process. It's thick and sticky on wood so I spread in cross-hatch, then went back and smoothed it out with the grain. I sorta sanded lightly between 1st and 2nd coats. I did use a microfiber rag to dust before each application. I think it turned out beautifully. If you are afraid to try, go with Satin as it does dry clear (but goes on milky).

I am currently installing cherry picture frame paneling in our former dining room, which we've converted into a billiards room (who REALLY ever uses their dining room anymore anyway?).

I just finished 12 4x8 1/4" cherry plywood panels with 2 coats of Polycrylic over a coat of Minwax water-based sanding sealer, and the results are simply incredible. The Polycrylic has been a joy to apply, brushed out very nicely to a completely even finish, and left NO brush marks at all. It dried very quickly, and I was able to apply the next coat in a couple of hours. A quick sand with 220 is all that's needed before the next coat.

In the past, I've always used 2 coats of dewaxed shellac, then two coats of nitrocellulose brushing lacquer - but I am now a believer in the Minwax water-based products. Shellac and lacquer are much more difficult to apply, and they produce no better results than Polycrylic. In fact, I think I actually like the look of the Polycrylic on cherry better than lacquer - and it produces NO FUMES AT ALL (lacquer fumes will literally knock you out). It doesn't even need to be rubbed out like I have always done with the lacquer.

For my future cherry projects - or any projects - Minwax Polycrylic will be my go-to finish! I'm very impressed and quite pleased with the results.

Pictures are of the finished panels glued on the walls. The “picture frame” trim will be next. It will be 5/4” solid cherry. Can't wait to see how it finishes with the Polycrylic!

I researched a lot of the woodworking store brands. They were very labor intensive, many steps, and almost operating room conditions needed. I have always used Minwax products only projects in the past but thought I'd give the expensive products a try since reading about them in the trade mags. Made up samples, (4), and asked my wife to pick the finish she wanted on her walnut table and benches. . . Guess what, she picked the Minwax finish over all the others! I even mis-tabled them to add to the drama ! ! ! She still picked the Minwax finish. . . and I'd have to agree with her. Easy to apply, used a painting pad and couldn't ask for a better result.

I like this product so much because it doesn't "amber" the wood like polyurethane does. Have used it on three dining tables I've built and my customers could be happier.

I used this on some night tables and one of them, has a sticky finish. If water sits on it, the finish becomes sticky. I didn't add any stain, just natural finish on mahogany. The other night table is fine. I don't know if I did not allow the table to dry properly, since it was 2 years ago. But I had to go back and sand down that night table and I am waiting now to reapply this Polycrylic. I love the finished results its just this has happened twice using this product. Any advise would be helpful.

I'm in the middle of a project and using the spray Polycrylic on a kitchen set that I painted. I can't find any information about cure time. Can anyone tell me how long I should wait after I'm completely done before using the set? Last thing I want to do is ruin all my hard work by sitting in the chairs too soon! As for my review- so far the spray is ok. I have nothing to compare it to because this is my first project, but as others have mentioned, it tends to drip and sputter quite a lot. I'm hoping I smoothed it out ok and the final finish will look even.

I have so far placed 3 coats of Polycrylic clear gloss finish over pine drawer fronts. There is absolutely no build up of product and the fronts look as if nothing has been applied. The pine was scraped, then I applied Minwax Wood Finish Golden Pecan 245 stain, then scuff sanded with 220 and cleaned with a cloth. No problem so far, everything looks good. After stirring, I have applied the material with a 2 inch foam brush each coat and there is no build up of finish to be seen, even when looking at the wood with a light shining obliquely across the surface. The product goes on and is immediately absorbed without a problem, leaving no trace of application and dries quickly. I have no recourse at this time but to go to another brand of finish to complete this project.

I have used many minwax products in the past with no issues, but this product is subpar. Doesn't flow out well, leaves brush marks no matter how litte you brush it out. Never again.