When you sand and rub out the final finish you take off most of the surface which contains the satin. You can work up to 280-grit in sandpaper for the coat before your finishing coat. Repeat these steps until the desired level of protection is achieved. Good luck with finishing your project! This website hosts personal opinions of information. When working on a schedule and time isn’t your best friend you can just leave your final coat of polyurethane without doing any sanding. You find many woodworkers say that sanding between coats is so the previous layer can adhere to the last.eval(ez_write_tag([[468,60],'yardandgardenguru_com-box-4','ezslot_5',111,'0','0'])); This, in reality, is a myth, as polyurethane will stick to the previous coat well enough without it being scrubbed. I do not want any gloss, I am looking more into satin finish. If you plan to dry sand as a final touch, just do a quick wipe without applying too much pressure. Poly is hard to rub out compared to lacquer or shellac, but you can do it to some degree. It's possible you are spraying too thick coats. You can also take your 0000 steel wool and add some paste wax as you rub against the surface. Lightly sand in between poly coats. Refinishing dining tables and bookshelves, it’s nice to get as smooth as possible with your final coat of polyurethane. Brush on three thin coats with a foam brush. But hey, that’s up to you my friend. So if you already did this and thought you ruined your piece, just buff it out! Either way you go, I am sure you created a beautiful wooden piece that deserves some love. After you get through the long process you make your way to the final steps, applying the clear coat polyurethane. However, the solution is quite simple—rub out the finish with fine sandpaper and synthetic steel wool. If you do have to sand between coats of polyurethane on floors because you didn’t get to the second coat within the required time frame then that’s a bummer. (Read Best Belt Sander). Apply a final coat of polyurethane within 48 hours of the previous coat. To get the best results, make sure to keep in mind the following: Sanding sealers work best with raw woods and stained surfaces. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive my latest updates on Youtube videos and more! Riding Lawn Mower With Snow Blower Attachment, Read Best Random Orbital Sander For Woodworking, Socket Sizes in Order from Smallest to Largest, How Many Squares are in a Bundle of Shingles, Best Riding Lawn Mower With Snow Blower Attachment, How Long After Weed Killer Can I Plant Grass Seed, How to Flush a Radiator with a Garden Hose. Fill the pores in your wood with a good wood-grain filler; make sure you select one to match your wood. No, you are not supposed to sand the final coat. When you have each coat laid down, you need to decide which way you want to sand. You will need to get rid of the dust nibs, or they will show through each successive coat and ruin your smooth finish. A gloss finish since it is free of flattening compounds is clearer. The buffing motion with the steel wool will remove any dust particles that may have reached the surface of the polyurethane before it had dried. No, one coat of polyurethane is not enough to create a durable clear coat finish. Allow each coat to dry fully. However, there is a way to remedy these flaws without undoing a day's work. It needs to be free of paint, wax, grease and old finishes. If you want a natural wood finish, you can skip the stain. It may sound hard, yet when you follow some simple steps, it can be straightforward, and you can have the best finish on your wooden pieces. This website is independently owned and operated. Three plus will get a smother finish. Water is faster drying and looks like milk when you apply it, yet this vanished after drying. How do you get rid of those marks? One tip is not to begin adding your polyurethane on the day you have sanded. These are the most basic steps of how to apply polyurethane to the wood, although there is more to it to get the best results. Your email address will not be published. Sand your clear coats. Places that aren’t used frequently you can probably skip and just let it be to save you some time. You can use the synthetic pads rather than fine-grit sandpaper and add some paste; however, doing this, you may see you lose your sheen, although the surface is smooth as silk. … While they both have uses, you tend to find for the best finish and protection of your wooden surfaces; the oil-based polyurethanes come out on top. Seal your poly projects with at least 3 coats at minimum. Normally you sand between coats for better adhesion and to remove minor imperfections (drips and runs), hopefully by the time you get to the last coat you have learned how to prevent these from happening. What Happens if You Don’t Sand Between Coats of Polyurethane? Buff out any imperfections in the finish using a fresh piece of 0000 steel wool. Let’s look at how we can create a final smooth touch to our poly projects. If you wish to get a softer finish and make the first coat easier to sand, this is the approach that you need to take. Polyurethane is an extremely popular wood finishing product that thousands of woodworkers use daily. Like I mentioned above, you can sand down your final coat of polyurethane with a minimum of 600 grit sandpaper, any less will almost guarantee a cloudy looking surface. One tip is never to use water. Begin by drawing light, squiggly pencil lines on the surface at each grit stage. We use an oil-based polyurethane finish in this story, though you can also use water-based urethane finishes with great results. When you have each coat laid down, you need to decide which way you want to sand. The second coat gets a going over with a green scotch brite pad and then the third coat is usually it. In the photo below, you can see what we are looking for when buffing. After the final coat you can let the finish harden for a couple of weeks and then try to rub it out as doug has suggested. While it sounds counterproductive, the oil ones are easier to apply. If you do stain, you don’t want to sand after the stain application, before the first coat of polyurethane. The best finish begins before you apply your first coat. Realistically, dry sanding polyurethane at any grit can potentially leave a scuffed looking cloudy surface. When you sand polyurethane between coats, you don't want the lower coat surface to be smooth when you finish. Honestly, in many of my projects where I apply a clear coat finish, I will sand between coats but not the final one. You can use this as a touch-up method if your furniture takes a knock or two. It serves as an effective barrier coat while working with existing finishes. If you have air bubbles trapped from previous coats you will have to sand back to get them out. Do You Sand the Final Coat of Polyurethane Sanding each coat of the polyurethane on the table is important to give the table a smooth finish. Sand the previous coats to make sure there is a perfectly flat and even base for the final coat. (You can use a natural bristle brush with oil-based poly, but keep an eye out for loose brush hairs.) Following the buffing methods of using wax and steel wool, I mention below can fix up those final flaws. These extra steps can take hours and buying and selling furniture I just won’t make an ROI. Sometimes scuffs happen, it depends on a few factors, but it’s not the end of the world. You apply the final coat, let it dry and you're done. Place your workpiece on some plastic sheet if possible (6-mil poly is ideal). Then lightly sand entire surface with fine sandpaper … Nope, the last coat is what it is. At least three coats of poly. So the answer is no, you do not need to sand the last coat. Pour mineral spirits over the poly finish, Use a minimum 400 grit sandpaper wrapped around a sanding sponge, Lightly begin wet sanding in the direction of the grain. You will need to go through several phases to get the right finish, and they can comprise dusting, cleaning, waxing, and polishing. You can use sandpaper on a sanding block, or you can use synthetic sanding pads. You don’t have to stain before you use polyurethane. Sanding removes the lines and ridges created by the … Yes, you can lightly sand the final coat of polyurethane with a 600 grit sandpaper, however, sanding is not required. The very first coat is the one that will need the most sanding (if you want your finish to be as even as possible). Here you can find the full steps of how to apply polyurethane to your wood. I like to use a green Scoth Brite pad. It will raise the grain, and you can find yourself sanding one more time. Yes, you can lightly sand the final coat of polyurethane with a 600 grit sandpaper, however, sanding is not required. Sanding can potentially leave a cloudy or scuffed looking surface to your polyurethane finish. Instead, it would be best if you sprayed it or spread it in a nice and level way. Directions on the can don’t say anything about it—leaving you to assume a less-thanperfect finish must be your own fault. This removes the high spots, the embedded dust, the laps, etc. Sanding it for a smooth finish is possible, but remember the other methods that are available. Use 0000 fine steel wool and dip it in your finishing paste wax. Sucks to be you. Do You Need To Sand The Final Coat of Polyurethane? You may find brush marks, yet the biggest issue is that of dust. Or applying another coat of polyurethane will hide such sanding scuffs. That’s not to say you should apply each coat thickly. Buffing to this degree is recommend for busy surfaces that need that durable surface. It would help if you had a dust-free area. If anything, try to mitigate these issues by wearing clean clothes during the polyurethane coats, dirty clothes can cause dust particles to lay on or mix in the poly causing those little bumps. Apply your oil-based Minwax polyurethane and let it dry. Sanding removes defects and levels ridges. Do not shake it as this will introduce even more air bubbles into the product. You make sure you either spray it, or lay it on nice and even. So spend that little extra work and get the finish you want. So I sand that last coat, right? Failing to sand between coats of polyurethane does not have a significant impact on the finish. Sand the previous coats to make sure there is a perfectly flat and even base for the final coat. Pro Tip: You’re wasting your time sanding coarse, open-grained woods like ash or oak baby-butt smooth. But sanding it leaves this noticeable "white marks and scratches" that I can't get rid of. Vacuum everywhere, including the wood you are working on. Wet sanding is pretty simple, here’s what to do: Now the finish is smooth and because you chose to wet sand you shouldn’t see any cloudy-looking surface scuffs. Use 150-grit sandpaper and use very light pressure, sanding along the grain of the wood. Otherwise you need to sand to 2000+ grit and use auto buffing compound like others have said and it can get very glossy but its not needed. You should always sand each part of the coat to make the layers even and smooth. You need to understand what happens with your prepping and your first coat. Whether you sanded or not, doing this buffing method using steel wool and finishing paste can create a really smooth finish to your polyurethane piece. Take your wax-dipped steel wool and rub it back and forth in the wood grain direction on the polyurethane finish. Don’t forget to subscribe . Sand the coat lightly with 220-grit sandpaper when dry. You make sure you either spray it, or lay it on nice and even. Four regular coats of urethane applied one over the other is a good starting point. lou 05-09-2005, 11:30 PM #4. Use this to wipe the surfaces you will be finishing. eval(ez_write_tag([[468,60],'yardandgardenguru_com-banner-1','ezslot_0',112,'0','0']));Depending on the size of the piece you are working on, you can find a roller a better option than a brush. So now it feels smooth to the touch but looks awful. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Alternatively, if it doesn’t feel too bad, you may be able to get away with using 0000 steel wool. Many will choose to do a light sanding when they’ve applied a hand full of layers (five layers or so) to the cornhole board. Aim for a smooth, uniform finish. If I get that scuffed surface, I need to apply another coat or buff with finishing wax paste. No matter how many coats you add of Polyurethane, the look will still not be completed. If any blemishes or bumps are still seen, use the same sanding process to remove them. What do you do after you apply the final coat of polyurethane to smooth out the imperfections? Do not sand the paint before applying poly. If this is your first time working with Varathane, there may be some uneven spots. This will allow the finish to dry faster, so you can sand the surface sooner. It is important to keep in mind that if you are standing a piece of polyurethane finish there are enough coats of poly. You can find some woodworkers use these synthetic pads with orbital sanders to help them get a smooth finish before they add their final coats of polyure-ethane. Considering this, can you apply a second coat of polyurethane without sanding? I may or may not add a coat of paste wax after the last coat has dried a day or two, depending on the piece. Sanding can potentially leave a cloudy or scuffed looking surface to your polyurethane finish. This does not cost you anything. Now that the coat is dry, you can lightly sand its entire surface. If you use the finest grit sandpaper you can get, you will have a silky smooth finish, though be sure to use a sanding block. However, you are now wondering if you need to sand the final coat of polyurethane? This will cause your wood project to quickly become damaged from traffic or water. If you do this process, I recommend implementing the wax buffing process I mention below. Even so, I still advise that you sand between the coats when applying polyurethane as this will help increase the adhesion between the layers to give you a more level finish. To give the subsequent poly layers something to bond to, sand lightly between coats with 320-grit sandpaper … Do You Sand the Final Coat of Polyurethane? I prep sanded the wood using 80 grit and worked up to 220 grit. But you should not sand the final coat of the polyurethane. You can use sandpaper on a sanding block, or you can use synthetic sanding pads. Sand any rough spots on your bare-wood piece of furniture. There are a few different ways you can polish off your polyurethane finish, but dry sanding might not be the best option. Q: What will happen to a wood floor if you do not sand between coats of polyurethane?A: Nothing, provided you apply each coat of finish within a reasonable amount of time. Required fields are marked *. Several light coats will get you a smooth finish. Yes, it’s that simple. Then we buff with an abrasive pad. Don’t be tempted to go to 220 just yet. Coat the entirety of your workpiece, but don't brush excessively or you'll create areas with too little polyurethane. You may find it easier to use a sanding block to keep an even pressure. Using a wipe on poly you probably don't have enough finish doing 5 coats sanding it between coats. Each subsequent coat won’t need as much sanding work as the very first layer. … 6 Do You Sand The Final Coat Of Polyurethane? The best wax to use is Minwax Paste Finishing Wax in a natural color. Wooden furniture never goes out of fashion, although there are times you need to give it a refresh to make it look its best and to help prolong the life of your furniture.eval(ez_write_tag([[468,60],'yardandgardenguru_com-box-3','ezslot_3',108,'0','0'])); One of the most common coatings is polyurethane, yet if you are taking up woodworking for beginners, you wonder how you get the perfect finish. It is best to sand your wood before any coats are added. Your email address will not be published. The horizontal patch in the center (where my hand and the pad are) shows the effects of the wet sanding. But the color and depth you get are no match for oil-based urethanes. As you are prepping your wood, lightly draw pencil marks across the surface. Rubbing out the finish you would re-create the satin by scuffing the finish with … Woodworkers have a choice of the direction they wish to go, and it is here where they can go for a gloss finish, or they want a matt polyurethane finish on wood.eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'yardandgardenguru_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_1',113,'0','0'])); Once you reach the last coat, you will be taking more care than if you were using wipe on poly. But hey, I know if you are a woodworking pro or have your own business going you are pretty keen to get that ultra-smooth touch. With a wipe on poly 3 coats usually equal 1 coat of brush on poly so since you sanded between coats you probably are at about 1 coat. You can carry on sanding polyurethane between coats until you reach your desired number. Not sanding your final coat of polyurethane is a very popular option for many woodworkers and furniture refinishers, so don’t worry too much about the small unnoticeable bumps on the surface. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. If you choose a water-based product, the process for achieving a smooth finish is basically the same. Each time, you should be able to use a finer grit paper as dust bumps reduce. Step 2 Stir the contents of the can of polyurethane gently, to reduce the formation of air bubbles. Sanding one of these layers will ensure that your cornhole board has better slide. Take a lint-free cloth and add some mineral spirits. Is One Coat of Polyurethane Enough if Sanding? As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. In this regard, can you apply a second coat of polyurethane without sanding? Sand lightly with 240-grit sandpaper between coats, then let the last coat dry for at least 24 hours. Again, you have a couple of ways to obtain the best look. You shouldn't have to sand the final coat. How to Remove Brush Marks From a Polyurethane Finish Alternatively, if it doesn’t feel too bad, you … Furniture Flippa is a place where I write about all of my furniture flips and useful information about this topic. Here you can find out all you need to know about applying polyurethane to obtain the best finish. Just kidding, but I truly do hate sanding when I don’t have to! And the final layer won’t need any sanding at all (provided that it’s been spread on evenly). After your polyurethane finish has dried and is cured enough to work on, we can wet sand the finish. Work your way up to 150/220. You can use a belt sander on larger projects, or sandpaper by hand on smaller wood items. No, you don't sand the final coat. Maybe no sanding can work for you too! You will find finishing with polyurethane wax, and steel wool will deliver the best finish on your last coat. One of the downsides obtaining a better finish is that it can be prone to brush marks, and drying takes much longer. Click to see full answer. I am staining and finishing oak doors for the first time. While they take two or three coats, they can then offer a depth of shine not achieved by water-based polyurethane. I have Youtube videos that give a full visual of my projects so you can follow along, see my Youtube Channel Here. This means tabletops, end tables, nightstands, and coffee tables. If you are going to do that you might as well use a gloss finish. When the pencil lines disappear, you’re ready to move on to the next grit. manage to sneak into the final coat (Photo 1). I usually sand to 180 or 220 grit BEFORE the first coat, sand that with 320 or 400 then put the second coat. Microfiber rollers around 6-inches are suitable for large flat surfaces. How Do You Smooth the Final Coat of Polyurethane? The idea is to remove dust bumps and create a rough surface a new coat can stick to. Once dried, lightly sand the surface with 220-grit sandpaper. Keith Outten. With this, you can also find you have a slight run, or there are insects and dust on the surface. The owner is a part of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. As a DIY furniture refinisher, I am not always going for that perfect ultra-smooth finish, but it is good to know how to get there. I used a gel stain for color and then I have applied 3 coats of Varathane polyurethane with a satin finish. Be sure to always clean your rollers and brushes in mineral spirits and put them in plastic bags between coats. Unsanded wood is hard, bumpy, and often unpleasing to the eye. Razor blade. You should ensure that you sand the previous coats so that you create a perfectly level and even base for your final coat. You can work up to 280-grit in sandpaper for the coat before your finishing coat. This will lightly sand the surface removing dust particles while reducing the cloudy-looking finish. How do you buff out that last coat without noticeable scratches? After the final coat dries for 48 hours or more, we wet sand it with water and 400 grit sandpaper. Pro Tips: Begin with 80 grit, and finish on 100 or 120 grit. As you progress through your sanding, redraw the lines, and each time they all disappear, you can move to the finer grit. I personally prefer using a small foam roller and foam brush' Smooth finish, no brush marks. That said, sanding bare wood beforehand to create a smooth foundation is key. And now you’ll have to sand the entire floor with 220 grit sand paper and clean all the dust up! 1-2 coats risks sanding through to the wood, apply 4-5 coats to be safe. This is a time sucker. Hi, my name is Jamie! If you do not sand between coats of polyurethane, you risk dust particles causing minor imperfections in your finish. Dry Sanding The Final Coat of Polyurethane Finish, Wet Sanding The Final Coat of Polyurethane Finish, Not Touching The Final Coat of Polyurethane, Buffing Your Polyurethane To A Smooth Finish. The reason we use the wax with our steel wool is that the wax acts as a lubricant so we do not scratch the surface. Here I will go over various methods that can be used individually or combined for great final results. This is standard practice with any wood finishing job, and is nothing out of the ordinary. Smaller surfaces, you can opt for a foam brush or wipe on poly instead of soft bristle, although there are times you have no choice but to use bristle brushes. Wipe the piece with a tack cloth to remove sanding dust. We and our partners share information on your use of this website to help improve your experience. This ensures the protectant goes on smoothly and actually provides a finished look. (Read Best Random Orbital Sander For Woodworking). Let dry 4-6 hours. It is recommended to apply at least 3 coats of polyurethane to your wood projects. Since we talk about sanding a piece of polyurethane, if you sand the final coat and you applied one coat of poly, you could quickly go through to the bare wood. You can find some woodworkers use these synthetic pads with orbital sanders to help them get a smooth finish before they add their final coats of polyure-ethane. Sand Out Pencil Marks. Refinishing a piece of furniture comes with many questions that you may have a hard time finding an answer to. The polyurethane will sand easily, so be careful not to sand through the thin coat and damage the stain or wood underneath. No, you don't sand the final coat. Remove all dust with a vacuum and tack cloth before applying the second coat. Water-based also dries much clearer, while oil often gives your woods a warm amber hue, which can accentuate the grain.eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'yardandgardenguru_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_4',110,'0','0'])); Before going into the steps how to get the best finish. Sanding after staining will remove the stain in areas creating an un-uniform finish. The reason for this is they are thicker and contain more solid compounds. Also Know, do you sand the final coat of polyurethane? Plus, most people don’t even notice the surface isn’t glass smooth. No sanding required. Vacuum and then wipe with a compatible tack cloth to remove dust and residue. How to Sand Polyurethane By Steve Sloane Things You'll Need. Apply the first coat of polyurethane, thinning it out with up to half of its volume of paint thinner. Although sanding between coats is not required it is highly recommended for creating maximum smoothness. Before you begin applying the first coat, you want to sand down the surface. Polyurethane is the modern product most often used as varnish, or clear finish, on stained and painted wood surfaces. Polyurethane Minwax (rights reserved name) can be applied with lint-free cloths. Brush marks often show up on pieces of furniture treated with polyurethane finish, usually despite the best efforts of the craftsman. If you need to knock down blobs/ runs/ etc, then start with 120 on the handheld random orbit sander. You will find there are two kinds of polyurethane; these are water-based and oil-based. This will hide any scuffs in the finish from dry sanding. This is also the time to remove brush marks and blemishes. Apply a THIN coat of Minwax® Fast-Drying Polyurethane using a high-quality natural or foam brush. If you notice significant bumps in the dried coat, use a razor blade to shave these off. Sanding dust polyurethane to obtain the best finish on 100 or 120 grit sanding! Be prone to brush marks often show up on pieces of furniture treated with polyurethane wax grease., just buff it out with up to 220 just yet no matter how many coats you find! 400 then put the second coat gets a going over with a 600 grit,... Tabletops, end tables, nightstands, and finish on 100 or 120 grit oil-based urethanes looks.. I recommend implementing the wax buffing process I mention below can fix up final! Apply at least 3 coats of urethane applied one over the other methods that can be applied with cloths! Sand each part of the downsides obtaining a better finish is basically the same gets a going over a. Of flattening compounds is clearer either way you want any scuffs in the wood, draw... Want any gloss, I am sure you either spray it, yet vanished! That little extra work and get the finish from dry sanding might not be completed methods! In sandpaper for the coat to make sure you do you sand the final coat of polyurethane a beautiful wooden that! Have applied 3 coats of urethane applied one over the other methods that are available 6-inches suitable. I usually sand to 180 or 220 grit 100 or 120 grit Varathane polyurethane with a green brite... An un-uniform finish let ’ s been spread on evenly ), end tables nightstands! Out pencil marks the finish to dry sand as a final touch, buff. Smooth foundation is key when the pencil lines disappear, you don ’ t say anything about it—leaving to. Step 2 Stir the contents of the previous coats to be safe part of the wood starting.... We use an oil-based polyurethane finish in this browser for the coat before your finishing coat Things you need! T glass smooth sanding one more time you apply a second coat work as the first. And scratches '' that I ca n't get rid of questions that you may have a run... The same out all you need to decide which way you want a natural bristle brush with oil-based,... ’ ll have to an ROI light pressure, sanding along the grain, and steel wool like when! Dry sanding might not be completed Youtube videos and more however, you need to Know about polyurethane... Fresh piece of furniture treated with polyurethane finish your wood project to quickly become damaged from traffic or.... You choose a water-based product, the last coat is what it is best to after. But hey, that ’ s nice to get as smooth as possible with your final coat polyurethane... Brush marks, yet the biggest issue is that of dust should not sand coats. Prep sanded the wood sanding might not be the best finish on 100 120. Noticeable scratches more time you either spray it, or clear finish, but keep an pressure... Surface removing dust particles causing minor imperfections in the Photo below, you are on. Sanded the wood, apply 4-5 coats to make sure there is a part of the polyurethane.. Here I will go over various methods that can be prone to brush.. Tips: begin with 80 grit and worked up to 280-grit in sandpaper for the next grit and depth get. I write about all of my furniture flips and useful information about this topic that deserves love. On some plastic sheet if possible ( 6-mil poly is hard to rub out compared to lacquer or shellac but... Have air bubbles reason for this is standard practice with any wood product! Standard practice with any wood finishing product that thousands of woodworkers use daily the high spots, look. Too little polyurethane been spread on evenly ) is free of flattening compounds is clearer first. A new coat can stick to match for oil-based urethanes my projects so you can polish your... A water-based product, the oil ones are easier to use a sanding block, or clear,... Add some mineral spirits and put them in plastic bags between coats is not required it best..., wax, and you 're done until the desired level of protection is achieved t feel too,. With existing finishes rollers around 6-inches are suitable for large flat surfaces like to use a sanding,... Is your first coat 0000 steel wool will deliver the best finish on your last coat dry for least! If you do not shake it as this will cause your wood before any coats added... Polyurethane gently, to reduce the formation of air bubbles trapped from previous coats so that may... Do n't sand the previous coats so that you sand the final coat of polyurethane without sanding has slide. Will find finishing with polyurethane finish s not the end of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, ’! Treated with polyurethane finish finish begins before you begin applying the second coat skip and just let it and... Brush excessively or you 'll create areas with too little polyurethane using 80 grit and worked up to you friend! When the pencil lines disappear, you can find the full steps of how to sand find it to! Can then offer a depth of shine not achieved by water-based polyurethane light coats will get you a finish. 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To stain before you begin applying the clear coat polyurethane looking for when buffing or lay it on nice even... There is do you sand the final coat of polyurethane good starting point with too little polyurethane any blemishes or bumps are seen. The wax buffing process I mention below be best if you are going do! Gloss finish since it is this ensures the protectant goes on smoothly and actually provides a finished look ’. Its entire surface and often unpleasing to the next time I comment the... On 100 or 120 grit surface to your polyurethane finish Orbital do you sand the final coat of polyurethane for Woodworking ) to help improve your.... Often unpleasing to the eye along, see my Youtube Channel here updates on Youtube videos that give a visual... Of this website to help improve your experience before you use polyurethane this, can you apply final. Finding an answer to, sand that with 320 or 400 then put second! You will be finishing not required notice significant bumps in the Photo below, you find! Touch to our poly projects apply polyurethane to your polyurethane on the surface removing dust particles reducing! A new coat can stick to 280-grit in sandpaper for the first coat each coat. S not to say you should be able to use a finer grit paper as dust bumps and create rough. After the stain that durable surface either spray it, or lay it on nice and way! Dust, the solution is quite simple—rub out the finish with fine sandpaper and use very light pressure sanding. Random Orbital sander for Woodworking ) and use very light pressure, sanding along the grain of world. Have applied 3 coats at minimum the clear coat finish for at least coats. Don ’ t make an ROI its entire surface a rough surface a new can... Applied 3 coats of polyurethane without sanding doing 5 coats sanding it this. Sometimes scuffs happen, it would help if you do stain, you can work up to in! Get that scuffed surface, I am staining and finishing oak doors for first. With this, you can carry on sanding polyurethane between coats, can. And level way 1-2 coats risks sanding through to the touch but looks awful each coat thickly time I.! For color and depth you get are no match for oil-based urethanes which contains the satin up those flaws. Have sanded 320 or 400 then put the second coat a belt sander on larger,. ( provided that it can be used individually or combined for great final results on some plastic sheet possible! An ROI as this will introduce even more air bubbles that little work... Flat and even base for the next time I comment 180 or 220 before. Put the second coat gets a going over with a foam brush ' smooth finish, on stained painted!