Minwax Polycrylic Semi-Gloss Water Clean Up Aerosol 11.5 oz

This product works amazingly well. However, the price is too high.

sprays a nice even coat

I bought this aerosol finishing spray to help protect a new coat of paint on my wooden chest. I wasn't sure whether to get gloss or semi-gloss, but as the original coating on my furniture wasn't very shiny to begin with, I opted with semi-gloss. I think that was a mistake on my part, as it definitely dries duller than what I would expect. But it's already been done, and I don't fancy spending more money on a gloss finish at the moment, as it's not a pressing issue.The can sprays easily, but comes out unevenly, so you'd need a brush or cloth to help wipe the excess, or it will puddle and dry out in unsightly patches. The wet product is milky white, and when it dries, it's a bit clearish, but not entirely. I suspect it will look better if you sand it down with fine grit sandpaper, but as I didn't have it on hand at the time, it's still rather more of a satin finish as opposed to a gloss finish. There seems to be a distinct film of not-quite-clear product on the wood even when it's long been dry.Even worse though, is the ghastly water rings that form when you leave anything which condenses, such as a cold glass, on top of the finish. The rings are milky white and they don't really go away afterwards. I have to scrape them off when I see them, making a mess of my newly applied finish. I don't recommend using this finish on any furniture you plan to put drinking glasses and the like onto. Not sure how it holds under heat, as in cups of hot coffee, as it's not the season for warm drinks as of yet, but it's most definitely a failure in the cold drinks aspect, from my experience.

I normally use wipe-on oil finishes but the person whose table I was refinishing wanted poly. First, the sheen of the semi-gloss product was just what I was looking for. Second, the poly does have a bit of the "sitting on top of the wood" look but again, I'm used to the appearance of oil finishes. Lastly, there's something that was completely my fault and took way too long to figure out. Time and time again application was going fine and a blob or several would be deposited on the piece. The product dries quickly so it wouldn't completely self level. I tried shaking the can more often and longer. I varied the angle of the can. Nothing worked. I noticed it always seemed to happen after spraying for a while. Finally realized my finger was creeping forward as I sprayed and eventually interfered with the wide spray pattern of the nozzle. I began pressing the nozzle from behind, more pushing forward than pressing down - problem solved.

I used this product to seal and coat my homemade cornhole boards. I was skeptical as most message boards said to use liquid polycrylic but I didn't have the time or energy to brush that on coat after coat and I was worried about bubbles and imperfections. So glad I decided to go this route, it was easy to use and the finish looks great. The. boards play great with just the right amount of gloss - not too slick but slick enough to make the game interesting.