On 13 Feb 2005 17:14:52 -0800, "rile" wrote:
I am in the process of laying a laminate floor. My wife suggested that
before laying the floor that we spruce up the woodwork around it. The
woodwork is currently dull and needs a bit of shine. We had a painter
do some interior work a few months ago and he also did the woodwork.
It looked the same but now is shiny and looks good. He used a
polyurethane finish. Unfortunately, I'm not sure if it was oil-based
or water-based. I'd feel funny calling him and asking about it. What
do you experts suggest and how should it be applied.....foam or bristle
brush?

You shouldn't use a foam brush with oil-based urethane.

Water and oil-based urethanes have different finishes. Oil is thicker
and tends to lay on top of the wood while water tends to aborb into
it. If the wood is open grained, like oak, you can often see the wood
grain with a water urethane, particularly in a side light.

If you're not sure what kind of finish it is, rough it up with 220
grit and use water-based.

Steve Manes
Brooklyn, NY
http://www.magpie.com/house/bbs