A client's 'simple' dining table in Cincinnati made me quit using water-based poly for dark wood
Tbh, I was at their house last fall to drop off the finished piece, a big walnut table. I used a water-based top coat because it dries fast and low odor. Under their warm kitchen lights, the whole surface looked milky and cloudy, like a film. The client pointed right at it and asked if it was supposed to look 'washed out'. Honestly, I had to eat the cost and strip it back to bare wood in their garage. Now I only use oil-based finishes for anything darker than maple. Anyone else had a finish completely fail under specific lighting?