Should I use oil or water based poly over acrylic paint? Painted old bookshelf (pressboard/veneer)...?

Question

Know it will prob chip if used often, but making use of old furniture:) Sanded lightly for paint to 'grab' but now unsure which (water vs. oil based) to use to protect with acrylic. FYI: Exterior acrylic from Home depot....just used what I had on hand for color conformity at our office with juck furniture...

Answer 1

If you got a good quality exterior acrylic paint and just painted it..and the sheen is what you want ..it will be fine without putting anything on top of it...If it is a flat finsh, or satin finish or a finish you dont desire and need to change it..then just use a good water based poly over it ..it will be fine...if the finish is already the sheen you want..do nothing ...

Answer 2

Waterborne poly for this one.

It will bond to the surface better, although you should put it on as soon as possible.  You want the acrylic to be dry, but not fully cured to get a good bond.

Also, it will not yellow like the oil based polys do.  Easier cleanup.  Smells better.  Should hold up pretty good.