Finish for a poplar train table?

[Matt Meiser]

Santa is bringing my 2-1/2 year old a wooden railroad set for Christmas and he's subcontracted me to build the train table. I'm using poplar and plan to paint. I'm wondering what to use for a safe, durable finish? I'm thinking latex won't hold up well. I'd kind of like to spary it with my hlvp gun (Porter Cable) so I don't get brush marks.

[Jim Becker]

Matt, all finishes sold today are "safe" when fully cured. An oil based enamel will work nicely and will spray great when thinned properly. Or...you could buy some water bourne acrylics, such as the Fuhr International 9100 or Target Coatings USL which can be tinted just about any color you want. You might want to visit a local "real" paint store, such as Sherwin Williams to see what they can help you out with in an enamel as that would be faster than ordering the others.

[Greg Narozniak]

Well "Santa" must have gotten a lot of orders for them this year. I am doing one in White Oak. I was going to try the Incra Double Dovetails for it but I still have to finish a Corner TV cabinet and 2 bookcases before I start that and Time is a ticking!!

[Dan Mages]

I would also look at Minwax's waterbased pastel stains and a coat of poly. That should be pretty kid friendly.

Dan

[Matt Meiser]

Thanks all. I went to Sherwin Williams today and they recommended priming with an oil base primer followed by an oil-base satin paint. They said it will spray nicely after minimal thinning with mineral spirits. I'll post pictures of the result, assuming they are fit to print

[Byron Trantham]

I just finished one for a client and it's finished in polyshades, a MinWax product. Tough and safe.