PolyWhey® Natural Furniture Finish

The development of PolyWhey helps reduce dependence on petroleum-based products and turns a by-product into a new natural product. 

Turning a Waste into a Product
Whey, a by-product of cheese making, has a high BOD (biochemical oxygen demand) that can increase the burden on waste treatment facilities and can pollute rivers, lakes, and even the ocean.  Over the last decade, this by-product has been used to create valuable products such as high-protein “energy bars” infant formula, and as a film coating for food-safe packaging. By reformulating whey into a durable, natural wood finish, a potential waste product is taken out of the waste stream and put to a useful purpose.

Turning Away from PetroleumThe production of oil-based wood finishes and other coatings, such as paint, have relied solely on petroleum – a non-renewable resource.  PolyWhey is derived from a renewable resource  and in a small way helps to reduce dependence on oil, contributing to a more sustainable world.

Application Instructions

Surface Preparation
If applying to previously finished wood, sand in order to
remove old coating before applying new finish. If sanding
entire surface is not desired, only sand areas of distress that
can cause flaking in order to blend edges. Apply the product
directly to the surface or the sealer coatings.
Lead Warning! Scraping, sanding or removal of a lead
coating may release lead dust. Lead is toxic. Before you
start, find out how to protect yourself and your family by
contacting the National Lead Information Hotline at 1-800-
424-LEAD or log onto www.epa.gov/lead.

Application
1. Test the finish on a sample piece of wood. Soft or porous
woods such as pine, alder, birch, fir, cedar, or redwood may
absorb a finish unevenly. Also, some woods contain tannins
and other extractives that will bleed through to the surface
and affect appearance.
2. Stir prior to use. Apply thin, even coats with a brush and/or
spray-gun (conventional or low-pressure system), taking care
to prevent the finish from puddling. Overlap brush/spray gun
strokes and always maintain a wet edge.
3. Apply with a brush and/or spray-gun (conventional or lowpressure
system) without thinning. Excessive thinning may
result in reduced product performance.
4. Sand lightly between each coat with very fine sandpaper
(220 grit) and remove dust with water-dampened cloth.
Never use steel wool or a tack cloth.
5. Recoat in 2 hours under normal conditions. High humidity
or low temperature may lengthen the dry time.
6. Apply 3 coats for optimum performance.
7. For best results, apply in temperatures between 65°F--80°
F with a 40%-60% relative humidity. Do not apply in direct
sunlight.