Water-Based Polyurethane may be your choice when you want to maintain the original, unfinished look of the wood but want to provide it with some protection. It drys very quickly because it's thinner, but most water-based polys only contain 30%-35% solids which means more coats need to be applied. Water-Based Poly is a harder finish because it's made with Acrylic, but it scratches easier because it's made with Acrylic. Some claim that Water-Based Poly also tends to turn dull, flake or bubble up over time, and tends to turn milky with age. Water-Based Poly is often twice as expensive.