Wolf,

I'm not really into this - Watco and Briwax works for me - but I seem to remember something about water based vs. water borne. So I checked out some of my sources and of course, now really confused. There is a lot of literture available on the subject (especially Bob Flexner) which I didn't include but I hope the following will get you going in the right direction.

Regards, Joe

From Understanding Wood Finishing, Bob Flexner,
    • "What’s commonly called water-based finish, or water base, is really a solvent-based finish, usually acrylic or polyurethane, that is dispersed in water. Calling it water base distinguishes it from those finishes known as solvent-based finishes- shellac, lacquer, and varnish - which don’t use water. A true water-based finish would be impractical for use on household objects, since it would redissolve in water."

      (Yes I had to reread the above a couple of times as it makes no sense. Reading further in the book, I think when he said that "water-based ... really solvent-based, should say acts like a solvent-based. I base this on "A solvent that evaporate slower than water, usually glycol ether, is added". So it is really water, just stuff added to it.)



      From some web site (search on "water borne" + stain),
      Reduced VOCs. Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are the materials that evaporate as a finish cures. VOCs from wood finishes, especially from solvent-borne (oil-based) ones, have been found to be significant air pollutants. Now, low-VOC finishes are available. Water-borne finishes, such as latex paint or stain, are less harmful to the atmosphere. New products have been developed to reduce the polution, although they generally do not last as long as oil-based finishes.