My son got this can of min wax poly in water base and I could not resist in sticking my finger in the can and trying it out. Had a new stock laying here only stained so I gave it a go with water base poly. This stuff is not fair. A rookie can get a lovely hand rubbed finish in a few coats and it is easy. Dap finger in poly and apply to wood and rub it in. More coats the better. I had to make a repair to some wood grains and sanded back to bare wood. Did the repair and applied stain, after dry started rubbing poly into the repair and it is now impossible to find the fix. I am impressed. Don't know how it wears but I sure hope its as good wearing as applying.