Waterborne finishes are much more complicated chemically than most traditional wood finishes, and getting them right in the manufacturing process has taken some time. But in the relatively short period since their introduction, the appearance and durability of waterborne finishes have improved dramatically. Many waterborne finishes on the market today rival their long-trusted oil and lacquer based counterparts in both appearance and durability. Currently, there are waterborne finishes available that are suitable for nearly every wood finishing application.
But what really matters is how well a finish stands up to daily life, and that varies widely, depending on the quality of the finish and conditions it is required to face. Generally, any waterborne finish will fair well in light household use. Most have fairly good scratch resistance, and once cured, are (for practical purposes) impervious to water. But that doesn’t hold true for exposure to solvents and heat. Certain solvents can loosen the bond between the resin droplets and damage the finish or cause it to become sticky. Heat can also loosen up and damage a waterborne finish. In tests, not all waterborne finishes stand up equally well to these extremes, and the difference from one brand to the next can be considerable.
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