well i have gone from no replies at the first day or two to answers of this quality.
im very fortunate and would just like to buy you all a virtual pint
cheers guys
Cheers ~Terence
We here that are painters and decorators, are notoriously slow at catching on to any kind of new products. In this instance, I'm talking water based varnish.
I didn't used to use it but I could see the DIYers around mel, using it with excellent results.
Used it a few times, then did a load of interior hardwood doors with yet again, excellent results which were a surprise to me because I'd long been brought up and used oil varnish in Churches, Cathedrals, shops etc.
I was doing a big house last year and they'd had the doors stripped so he asked me what's best.. I showed him the difference on one of his doors, the difference between water and oil based. Briefly, oil based brings out more of the colour and stays that way.
Next time I go to do another room, he's finished the doors (teacher) and I was a bit surprised at the super job he'd made and the way the satin looked. I thought it was oil varnish he'd used but he said he'd used water based and it was easy...it is. Smooth as a billiard table.
Now I use it regulaarly which is why I recommended you do as..
1- You're a self confessed DIYer with no experience.
2- You don't want it staining till a later date, so it can't be stained now.
3- You just want it protected for now.
You can bet that some "so called" painters and decorators have never used it on hardwood doors................... I have.
Don't forget to take the door off and do the underneath first. It'll also be a good test patch for you to start with. .. and don't dent or mark it when taking it off and re-hanging.
Your choice Tenence.