seal-a-cell and arm-r-seal

[dvoigt]

I'm finishing up a Jatoba table for my dad and I'm getting to the finishing point. My plan is to put down 3-4 coats of seal-a-cell (from general finishes), but I was wondering if I should put a few coats of arm-r-seal on top of that? I have done it in all combination's but I just want to know what is the norm.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Derek

[thewoodwhisperer]

My friends at General Finishes might not like me saying this, but I have given up working with Seal-a-Cell. I feel its a redundant product. But if you were to follow their finishing system, a couple coats of Seal-a-Cell followed by several coats of Arm-R-Seal is exactly how they want you to do it. But for me, its all Arm-R-Seal.

You'll probably hear from a number of Seal-a-Cell users here. But from my experience and testing, it really brings nothing more to the party than Arm-R-Seal. And the Arm-R-Seal has increased durability so I'd rather just use it for every coat.

[dvoigt]

well it least you are promoting using more of 1 rather then something different all together.

It is irrelevent right now as the pint of seal-a-cell that I have is jelly like. It is about 2-3 years old, so I'm not shocked. And the quart of arm-r-seal I have is hardened over on the top, I'm more annoyed by that because that can isn't all that old and I even put it in a gallon zip lock bag too. I've had this issue before... it must be user error....

[Vic]

well it least you are promoting using more of 1 rather then something different all together.

It is irrelevent right now as the pint of seal-a-cell that I have is jelly like. It is about 2-3 years old, so I'm not shocked. And the quart of arm-r-seal I have is hardened over on the top, I'm more annoyed by that because that can isn't all that old and I even put it in a gallon zip lock bag too. I've had this issue before... it must be user error....

Air/Oxygen is your enemy. Putting a can inside of a bag is useless in terms of trying to create longevity. Get some of that Bloxygen (I think that's what it's called) Basically, it displaces the oxygen. They also sell a product for the wine industry that does the same thing. I heard of people putting marbles in, too. I'm not willing to do that. But...

[jgfore]

My friends at General Finishes might not like me saying this, but I have given up working with Seal-a-Cell. I feel its a redundant product. But if you were to follow their finishing system, a couple coats of Seal-a-Cell followed by several coats of Arm-R-Seal is exactly how they want you to do it. But for me, its all Arm-R-Seal.

You'll probably hear from a number of Seal-a-Cell users here. But from my experience and testing, it really brings nothing more to the party than Arm-R-Seal. And the Arm-R-Seal has increased durability so I'd rather just use it for every coat.

Mark,

When you use the Arm-R-Seal do you apply it with brush, sponge, towel or spray it on? I just finished a large picture frame and used the DEET Poly Spray (aerosole spray), and I was not all that impressed. It left a orange peel finish, that would not sand out. I started to use Seal-A-Cell, but I stained it, and I was not sure if you could use Seal-A-Cell on top of stain or not. DO you know?

Jeff

[thewoodwhisperer]

I usually apply by wiping with a cotton rag folded into a nice square applicator. And Seal-a-Cell is really just a varnish, so you should have no problem using it over stain as long as your stain is completely cured.

[Mister Pants]

My friends at General Finishes might not like me saying this, but I have given up working with Seal-a-Cell. I feel its a redundant product. But if you were to follow their finishing system, a couple coats of Seal-a-Cell followed by several coats of Arm-R-Seal is exactly how they want you to do it. But for me, its all Arm-R-Seal.

Sweet I'm not alone in that mindset! I used both when I first started, but for the past few years I just use Arm-r-seal,

[Mister Pants]

It is irrelevent right now as the pint of seal-a-cell that I have is jelly like. It is about 2-3 years old, so I'm not shocked. And the quart of arm-r-seal I have is hardened over on the top, I'm more annoyed by that because that can isn't all that old and I even put it in a gallon zip lock bag too. I've had this issue before... it must be user error....

That's odd. I actually found a can of half-used semi-gloss Arm-R-Seal that I'd forgotten in my cheap-o Rubbermaid storage shed in the yard for well over a year. It sat in the Texas heat, in that not exactly waterproof shed for long enough the can had some rust on it. Was going to throw it out, figured I'd open it and the stuff was unbelievably fine!

[AceHoleInOne]

Seal-A-Cell and Arm-R-Seal, lets take a look at the two and give them their due.

Comparing Arm-R-Seal to Seal-A-Cell, would be like comparing a car to a pickup truck. One’s not better than the other, it just has different features for different jobs.

Seal-A-Cell, is marketed under “oil based wood stains and sealers”

General Finishes suggest its applied as a clear stain or natural color (actually the oil will give you a hint of amber tone) offering some urethane protection to the wood, as well. A close to the wood feel you hear so much of.

Seal–A-Cell uses could be:

Mantles

Picture Frames

Beds

Turned decorative bowls candle holders

Stuff that doesn’t require a ton of protection and natural in color.

Arm-R-Seal, is marketed under “oil based top-coats” giving wood a hard protective finish. This top-coat is amber toned and extremely durable and long lasting. A coating that has good solids to shield and protect the wood.

Arm-R-Seal uses could be:

Kitchen and bath cabinets

Table tops

Chemical/water/marring resistance

So who is to say you can’t thin Arm-R-Seal and use as you would Seal-A-Cell, nooooobody. Just remember, Seal-A-Cell and Arm-R-Seal are pre-formulated and sold for a specific use.

So I guess if you want green paint, just go out a buy it. Or if your one of those, and you have some blue and yellow paint laying around, make your own green paint!

In the finishing world, coatings are manufactured for specific uses and will get pigeon holed via name such as Lacquers, Milk Paint, Shellac, Sealer’s that loosely identify that group finishes, I think, for ease of reference, its best to undress the name on the finish container while asking yourself... what do I want this container of finish to do for me.

My speculation, because the target market being the hobby woodworker, we don’t see much of a cost savings between the 2 products. I'm guessing Arm-R-Seal is more expensive to make due to the cost of the resins it contains Vs the cost of Seal-A-Cell, which I believe has the less of the expensive "goodies" inside. Checked Woodcraft on-line, each of the quarts, are selling for same price.

-Ace-

[AceHoleInOne]

I was just reading something and Jatoba wood was the topic. :o and remembered this post.........A word of caution using exotic wood (something I don't use) its often oily and can cause finishing issues. Jatboa is oily wood. So as a precaution, if its not too late, hit the wood first with an alcohol cut shellac to seal in the natural wood oil.

Then Arm-R-Seal away.... ;)

-Ace-

[dvoigt]

Actually I have used the Arm-R-Seal on Jatoba before and never had any drying issues. I just finished applying the 3rd coat to the piece yesterday (5 coats on the top surface) Looks pretty good if you ask me! Now Arm-R-Seal on Cocobolo... that is a different story