Furniture, Wood and Cabinetry Finishing - When you need to get it done fast...

What sort of clear finish do you use? When it's a "rush" job, I've always used brushable lacquer, or have sprayed on a catylized lacquer, but it usually takes about 3 coats to get the desired finish. I have always worried that the lacquer won't be as durable (able to resist accidental water spills, or extreme sunlight) as other finishes which take longer to cure.

On most jobs I usually use 2 coats of polyurethane sanding sealer, then 2 coats of polyurethane, which takes a minimum of 2 days to dry & cure to the touch.

I guess I'm curious to know what others' experience has been when you need to get it done fast, but still want a quality finish. Is lacquer the only solution?

Water based polyurethane dries quickly and gives you a durable finish.
I am using Flecto Diamond water based polyurethane on my kitchen cabinet project.
I can apply one coat then light sand and apply another coat about six hours later.

6 hours is about normal for my oil based sealer and polyurethane as well. Sometimes 4 hours, if the conditions are just right and I don't spray it on too heavy. I've always wanted to try the latex poly however, so that's a good point.

Any other suggestions on what others have found to work?

I'm just kinda tired of rushing to cut, router, sand... then stain... wait the minimum amount of drying time (usually 8 hours) and then spray the sealer at 11:30PM so that it can dry overnight. Maybe lacquer is the only fast-drying solution, since its usually dry to the touch in 15 minutes and can be 2nd coated after only an hour or so. Problem is, my sprayer doesn't like lacquer thinner too well. :thumbdn:

It is not supposed to be used with poly but you can add japan drier to sanding sealer and varnish. You have to be careful - if you add to much it will affect the sheen.

Never heard of it! I've heard of japanning (the old black finish on Stanley planes and such) but didn't know of a varnish additive. I've used varnish a few times, but since polyurethane is supposed to be a superior product, that's pretty much all I use. (except for these fast projects that I need to speed up). I guess I'll just stick with brushable lacquer.

Japan drier is a drying additive for oil base paints - sold at most paint stores.

look into using "chem-varn", also known as catilized varnish.
my first experience with the product was at a very large, high end
cabinet shoppe. it is supposed to be tuff stuff, better than cat laquer.
the dry time was inside of an hour to scuff and re-shoot.
it's not cheap.

Thanks, I'll look into that. Maybe it's "catylised" with the japan drier that marksr referred to! I'm not happy with my catylized lacquer, because its too soft and scuffs easily.