However, there is a way to remedy these flaws without undoing a day's work. 7. If you really want that mirror finish, spray the final coat. Unfortunately, despite using an all natural brush, I can still see brush strokes. Before my "final coat", even if my previous coat was perfect, I sand with 400-600 and 0000 steel wool to make it silky smooth before that last coat. If you do not sand the primer appropriately, you might have blotchy stains on the piece when you apply the final coat of paint. Oil-based polyurethanes are easy to apply but take too long to dry while water-based polyurethanes usually require multiple applications and have a whitish consistency upon application which disappears once dry.. Water-based polyurethane also tends to dry faster. Move in the direction of the wood grain. Applying polyurethane in even coats is a crucial, though not always simple task. You apply the final coat, let it dry and you're done. This will create the impression that you sprayed all the coats and give the finish a … Thin coats will result in you burning through the top layer. No, you are not supposed to sand the final coat. No sanding required. Heating, dropping rocks and chiseling the wood. If this is your first time working with Varathane, there may be some uneven spots. Sand the coat lightly with 220-grit sandpaper when dry. So we “rub out” the final coat to make it smooth and flat. After the first coat, all you are trying to do is remove the bumps and scuff the surface for the next coat, so 220 is just too rough. The wiping poly is the easier product to get good results short of spraying the finish. The problem is easily fixed. After I stripped, sanded, and stained my solid-oak kitchen table, I brushed three coats of polyurethane on the underside. While it’s good practice to use fresh varnish, I recently used some that had been sitting around for 15 … So, my final coat is not mirror smooth. Oil-based polyurethane varnish brings out wood's natural beauty and grain. This Site Might Help You. Sanding removes the lines and ridges created by the … Is one coat of polyurethane enough? Personally, I would do it but you’ve got to consider how your clear coat might effect the decal down the line. How do you polish these few imperfections out of polyurethane after the final coating to still maintain a high-gloss, smooth finish? For a smooth coating you’ll want the surface to be as smooth as possible, so prepare the wood by sanding it with a sanding block or orbital sander. You should ensure that you sand the previous coats so that you create a perfectly level and even base for your final coat. Step One – Use 120 grit or finer sandpaper to scuff sand the bubbles. Rubbing out the finish you would re-create the satin by scuffing the finish with 0000 steel wool. Now that the coat is dry, you can lightly sand its entire surface. If you don't have a soft enough brush or it's too hot or you don't work it fast enough then you are left with a bunch of brush marks to contend with. I personally prefer using a small foam roller and foam brush' Smooth finish, no brush marks. How to Sand Out Bubbles from your finish. I prefer the 320 grit between coats. In the photo below, you can see what we are looking for when buffing. This will ensure a super smooth finish. This step will remove any rough patches and give the piece a smooth finish. I am primarily doing this on decent sized flat surfaces, 5-6 sq/ft. Aim for a smooth, uniform finish. Any slight specs after the final coat will be rubbed out. As for figured cherry, there should be no reason to pore-fill. No matter how many coats you add of Polyurethane, the look will still not be completed. Do not buff the final polyurethane finish coat. Apply a full-strength final coat. Apply a THIN coat of Minwax® Fast-Drying Polyurethane using a high-quality natural or foam brush. How many coats of polyurethane should be put on hardwood floors? I've sanding, conditioned, stained and so far have applied 2 coats of satin polyurethane. Any slight specs after the final coat will be rubbed out. After 40 plus years of finishing doors, woodwork, furniture etc I can tell you what I use and it's easy and comes out baby butt smooth. Do You Sand the Final Coat of Polyurethane? So brushed-on coats of a standard varnish would do the trick nicely. Overall, Polyurethane is the easiest form of finish that even first-timers won't have difficulty in applying. Wait for drying The final one is the polishing coat: many users use PU to create the glossy surface for wood products. Our 8-step approach shows you how to apply the varnish successfully. With water-based polyurethane finishes, you generally don’t have to buff after each coat to achieve adhesion if it is applied within so many hours. Remove all dust. After the final coat dries for 48 hours or more, we wet sand it with water and 400 grit sandpaper. The paint and Polyurethane will mix and fill the layers, any holes, and printed flaws. I didn’t shake the can, and the brush didn’t leave any bubbles behind. So, the spots are too noticeable for this type of project. Step 13 Apply two sealer coats of polyurethane mixed with mineral spirits to the underside of the piece of furniture if it is made of traditional hardwood lumber. I used a gel stain for color and then I have applied 3 coats of Varathane polyurethane with a satin finish. A little test of how well polyurethane works when there are 40 coats. So I sanded them out and brushed on a new coat. The finish should feel smooth and flat, no bumps. If you are going to brush it do it sometime when the temperature is under 90. Normally, the property of the floor surface also affects to the finish paint quality. Final Finish. Intercoat abrasion with a multi-disc and 220 grit sandpaper Polyurethane wood floor finish tip: When you abrade your floors, make sure you buff out any dust, particles and bubbles, before cleaning and tacking. I waited 20 minutes between layers and then waited an entire day before spraying the final coat of spray paint to cover any discoloration. If you miss the bubbles when the polyurethane is still fresh, you can even get rid of them after the finish has dried. There are specific rules to be followed in applying any finish, whether oil or water based. Similarly, if you want an impressive final finish, the wood surface has to be smooth and clean before applying the poly. I am staining and finishing oak doors for the first time. When you sand and rub out the final finish you take off most of the surface which contains the satin. You really want that final layer of finish to be thick enough to withstand the rubbing out process. It is best to sand your wood before any coats are added. However, you do not want to sand the final coat or you will end up with a … If your kitchen table is made of oak or ash, take a wood grain filler and apply it before the poly. Let dry 4-6 hours. Always stretch the polyurethane as thin as you can. The first coat on the top looked good too. Make sure that you have plenty of mineral spirits on hand to clean up your brushes and any type of mess that you create. Dip your brush gently and take your time painting the surface. Try to get the "non-filling" type, like the waterproof or aluminium oxide. Three plus will get a smother finish. If you notice significant bumps in the dried coat, use a razor blade to shave these off. Take your time, like the pros do, and you'll create a durable, smooth, lasting finish. Take 220 – grit paper to sand the wood. You'll want to cover your wood furniture item with several coats of protective polyurethane. Find a paint brush that is super soft to apply it. After your final sanding, apply your final finish coat. It came out great. How do you make a matte finish with polyurethane? How Long Do You Let Polyurethane Cure Before Wet Sanding?. Unsanded wood is hard, bumpy, and often unpleasing to the eye. Several light coats will get you a smooth finish. After final coat rub out with 0000 steel wool and wax with carnuba. I prep sanded the wood using 80 grit and worked up to 220 grit. What do you do after you apply the final coat of polyurethane to smooth out the imperfections? There seems to be a lot of controversy on a rough first coat of polyurethane and what to do about it. You’ll get the best results from your topcoat if you remove any old paint, varnish or other finishes before polyurethane application. If you are going to do that you might as well use a gloss finish. Then we buff with an abrasive pad. Otherwise, it will show through on your next coat. Just as you did with the initial coats, brush the polyurethane onto the surface, working systematically from one side of the project to the other. If third coat is desired, repeat step 5 before application. Ultra-smooth surface is inevitable in terms of getting an excellent finish. I’d go with about 5 coats. RE: How do I smooth out uneven brush strokes in polyurethane? Then lightly sand entire surface with fine sandpaper (220 grit) to ensure an even finish and proper adhesion. Lightly sand in between poly coats. Polyurethane is the modern product most often used as varnish, or clear finish, on stained and painted wood surfaces. Let the polyurethane sit for about 10 minutes after stirring to allow the foam to settle. Primers can often be thick and difficult to clean up. There are always some little imperfections and spots. Hand Rub With Wipe-On Varnish or Oil If you want to transform the sheen from high gloss to satin or matte, then using a hardening oil such as tung oil is a good way to do it. Pop any bubbles you see by brushing back over the finish. Typically, two to three coats are used with sanding in between coats to even them out. There’s a running debate on whether or not you should apply your clear coat over your vinyl decals. I'm not really a fan of poly, I find it dies too quickly. Do not sand the paint before applying poly. You can use a belt sander on larger projects, or sandpaper by hand on smaller wood items. Apply second coat. However, do not worry if you have applied polyurethane coats unevenly. At least three coats of poly. Brush marks often show up on pieces of furniture treated with polyurethane finish, usually despite the best efforts of the craftsman. A: Professionals sometimes find water-based urethanes hard to apply. Instead, it would be best if you sprayed it or spread it in a nice and level way. But large bubbles formed in the second coat about 10 minutes after I applied it. How to Remove Brush Marks From a Polyurethane Finish . Do this by sanding out the bubbles then apply a fresh coat of the product. I am in the process of redoing a bureau. This ensures the protectant goes on smoothly and actually provides a finished look. The thinner each layers and the longer you let each layer dry the better. For the final coat, if I really want a smooth coat, I will use a spray can, just for the last coat. For hardwood floors, there are more coasts of PU than normal ones. But, you always have to buff it once. How do you get that hard smooth finish? I like to use a green Scoth Brite pad. Getting a smooth, blemish-free finish with oil-based polyurethane is within your grasp if you follow the steps in this article. Wood pieces that are not completely sealed with polyurethane can warp because moisture can enter the wood through the unsealed surface. It levels out so nicely. If a second coat is needed (and I usually advise at least 2 coats for normal furniture and 3 coats for high traffic or areas around water), you will want to sand, vacuum and tack cloth the piece between coats. You can apply it and leave it (if you have a good dust free environment) this will leave you with the best sheen, or you may need to do a final buff out with very fine sandpaper 400 grit, then buff out with a rag, this will leave you with a very smooth “hand rubbed satin” finish. This removes the high spots, the embedded dust, the laps, etc. ; Start with 120-grit sandpaper on refinished pieces and 80-grit on new wood. For polyurethane, you’ll probably apply five to ten coats. A gloss finish since it is free of flattening compounds is clearer. Varathane Professional Interior Varnish is my #1 pick right now. 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