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Does thinning a finish make it dry faster or slower?

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10K views 11 replies 6 participants last post by  redeared  
Q
#1 ·
I just whipped up some wiping poly by cutting Minwax polyurethane 50% with naphtha.

Will that make it dry faster, or slower?

It occurs to me that the naphtha will evaporate quickly, but at the same time, I've diluted the solids.

What do y'all think?
 
Discussion starter · #7 ·
It looks like I did an unintentional experiment. 8 hours after the application, the finish was still gummy. Almost like the oil had come to the surface and wasn't curing. I wiped it off with naphtha and I'm debating my next move...

suggestions are welcome.
 
Discussion starter · #10 ·
John, the atmospheric conditions don’t change too much in my shop. Thanks to a whole house humidifier (best thing ever! :) humidity stays at 50% all the time. Temperature does vary from 60-75, but I don’t fool with finishing at the lower temps.

The project is a peppermill. I usually use General Finishes Salad Bowl Finish, but I ran out.
I think I’m discovering that I don’t need to thin the Minwax Poly to wipe it. It seems to wipe just fine at full strength.
 
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