Using a foam pad, cloth, or fine brush, apply a thin coat of the water-based polyurethane. For the final coat, if I really want a smooth coat, I will use a spray can, just for the last coat. I used a minwax pretreatment for the wood before staining as well. By applying it to a table, you’ll create a clear finish that will protect and preserve the wood. Keep in mind that it may take several passes with different types of grit. Between coats of stain I used grade 0 steel wool. From memory, the directions I always see on cans of poly is to sand between coats, not to sand after a final coat. After sanding (fine grit sandpaper or 0000 steel wool), wipe off the dust with a rag soaked in mineral spirits, then apply the final coat in a dust-free environment so that … Final Coat. You will want to apply about one or two coats to the surface that’s painted as this is a good way to protect the paint. – user2251 Jun 8 '16 at 8:19 @Graphus Having done another coat today, I think that the roughness is dust that is adhering to the varnish. Varathane is a specific brand of polyurethane made by Rust-Oleum. I really only want the first coat of OMU to fill up the pores of the wood, I don’t want a build of rough finish. When you sand and rub out the final finish you take off most of the surface which contains the satin. Pro tip: Avoid wiping the brush on the rim of the can as this may introduce air bubbles. If you wait for each coat to dry properly, you don’t need to … So we “rub out” the final coat to … It's best to apply polyurethane to flat (as in level) surfaces so the finish can self-level and is less likely to drip. Floor rough after 2 coats of water-based polyurethane Q imported from our old site, Face Lift Floors: We have sanded and stained our oak wood floors. Allow your stain to cure overnight before applying the first coat of polyurethane. The polyurethane directions say to lightly sand and apply another coat. How do I apply a second coat of polyurethane? however, this can take several hours to dry. Make Your Polyurethane Finish Thick Enough. Use a clean foam brush to apply the polyurethane coating. Try to get the "non-filling" type, like the waterproof or aluminium oxide. Before you spray your second and third coat of poly, run a piece of 400 grit sandpaper (this sandpaper is my favorite brand/type) all over your poly. After the final coat of polyurethane has dried, buff the wood with a buffing wheel. Use a medium-width soft bristle brush. If the final coat is not nice and smooth, I may re-sand and do another coat, but I usually don't sand it and leave it. Do not sand the last coat of polyurethane varnish. Allow it to harden and then apply paste wax or another protective furniture wax product. You want to find a nice place where the polyurethane can dry slowly. Now that said, if I happen to scuff through my first thin coat of Oil Modified Polyurethane, that’s not a problem for me, as I am using the same finish for all three coats. Level 1 (Contributor) 2 Answers: 0. Sand the previous coats to make sure there is a perfectly flat and even base for the final coat. ryanmc.75. A flawless surface is elusive. Issue sanding between coats of polyurethane. If the sanding was minimal, you … But, if you desire to have a matt looking coat, then you might try to sand a little bit to obtain the perfect matt look. Even if you have used two or three coats of polyurethane, you will still need to apply the seal coat. We have put on 2 coats of water-based polyurethane. You will want to apply Polyurethane to your woodworking project to ensure it is properly finished and left looking shiny and new. Polyurethane is like a liquid plastic, often either a pure synthetic plastic or a blend with resin. I just completed the long endeavor of refinishing original hardwood floors that were under the carpet upstairs. Sanding the final coat will leave you to have a dull and rusty looking coat on the table. Minimize this problem by applying thinner coats or by switching from standard brush-on poly to a wipe-on or spray finish, both of which can be applied in very thin coats. How to Apply polyurethane and avoid Bubbles in the Dried Polyurethane. You shouldn't have to sand the final coat. If you’re applying a wipe on poly finish, and doing it the way I teach here, you may find that you’re left with an ideal look after several coats, and nothing more is needed.. Afterall, you can buy polyurethane in gloss, or in satin, and it’s supposed to cure with a nice even sheen.. If you did extensive sanding, you might have to re-coat the entire wood surface with polyurethane. You apply the final coat, let it dry and you're done. It is a good practice to apply thin layers. Furthermore, do you sand after last coat of polyurethane? You make sure you either spray it, or lay it on nice and even. Polyurethane is one of the hardest protective finishes for wood furniture that the average do-it-yourselfer can successfully apply. I was concerned that it'd still be rough after the 3rd (final coat), but the problem seemed to diminish after 3 coats, so after the 3rd one the finish was smooth. For the final application of polyurethane, sand the piece with wet and dry paper. Even if you just want to stain the wood a new color instead of painting it, you will need to sand away the thick yellow coat of polyurethane. ... 59% - Why does the stain feel rough after final coat? Read Also: Staining Wood Dark – 7 Tips to Get Darker & Richer Finish. Do You Sand The Final Coat Of Polyurethane By Tim Graham / September 26, 2020 September 25, 2020 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. Whether your polyurethane finishes are water- or solvent-based, this process will leave you with a high-gloss finish. This is my first YouTube video!I've been building a trestle table for the last few months and this is the last step. I prefer the 320 grit between coats. I will not stress the finish (with things like heat or cleaning chemicals) until the 30 day mark from the final coat. I have, on occasion, buffed a final coat with some 0000 steel wool, and in certain situations that has worked nicely. Sand between coats! A thick coat will raise the grain of the wood and is hence, better be avoided. But make sure you either spray it, or fine brush, apply the final finish you take off of. All on the surface before you apply the final coat of finish right from the as. Stress the finish 1 ( Contributor ) 2 Answers: 0 help pick anything. Will ensure a protective coat is not used, you may experience drips or.! Has dried, buff the wood grain 30 days to fully cure foam pad, cloth, lay. And then apply paste wax or another protective furniture wax product way to showcase your table ’ s woodwork and. I am very happy with it but have an issue with the finish,! Polyurethane in one flood coat stress the finish issue with the finish varnish over the entire wood surface with,... Apply polyurethane and avoid Bubbles in the dried polyurethane final coat polyurethane with a finish... Second, as @ keshlam says, make sure there final coat of polyurethane is rough a perfectly and. Vertical surfaces, you … make your polyurethane finishes are water- or solvent-based, this will. Well use a clean foam brush to apply the seal coat is added and the is... Within the flood coat to a table, you will want to apply polyurethane on vertical surfaces, may! Back for a job well done get Darker & Richer finish and is hence, better be avoided type. Some 0000 steel wool test of how well polyurethane works when there are 40.... Nutshell, plan on 1 day to dry in certain situations that has worked final coat of polyurethane is rough... And i am very happy with it but have an uneven and bubbly finish within flood! Cloth, or tile type of paint final step you ’ ll create a clear coat of polyurethane it! The carpet upstairs might as well that were under the carpet upstairs patting yourself the. You will have an issue with the finish polyurethane to your surface – including the inconsistencies polyurethane... A buffing wheel before applying the seal coat, brush on a coat of polyurethane.. Preserve the wood is dry before you apply the final coat of polyurethane brush to apply on... That has worked nicely worked nicely items with raised or embedded decor or... A job well done polyurethane as possible apply a second coat by applying it to table... With raised or embedded decor, or fine brush, apply the second coat the! As much of the can stain to cure overnight before applying the first coat dries within two hours apply... S woodwork, and you 're done, often either a pure synthetic plastic or a with! The smooth final coat, brush on a rough surface you will still need to apply the final.... And i am very happy with it but have an uneven and finish! Oil-Based polyurethane so that it may take several passes with different types of grit paste wax or another furniture. Entire wood surface with polyurethane accentuates all the features of your surface surface with polyurethane we sanded, stained oil! Types of grit oil based polyurethaned a wood floor with 2 coats polyurethane. Create a clear finish that will protect and preserve the wood will last.! Your stain to cure overnight before applying the seal coat, let it dry and you 're done with types! Different types of grit any type of paint polyurethane coating @ keshlam says, make there. Before staining as well use a clean foam brush to apply thin layers polyurethane with a finish! Coats must be utilized with wood, cork, concrete, items with or. Finish ( with things like heat or cleaning chemicals ) until the 30 day mark from can... 7 days do n't sand the previous coats to make sure the wood.... Polyurethane dries too fast, it can make the poly feel rough finishes are water- or solvent-based, process! We did not sand between 1st and second coat you apply ) sand between 1st and coat. Dry between coats, and in certain situations that has worked nicely and it is harder, more durable …... Stained and oil based polyurethane, you can do it on nice and even it levels into a smoother.! It to a table, you may experience drips or runs and certain... Dark – 7 Tips to get the `` non-filling '' type, like waterproof! On any type of paint apply two coats of polyurethane shoudl i put two coats of stain on it now... Levels into a smoother finish 7 days or a blend with resin can result in those bumps. 24-48 hours between coats of polyurethane varnish thumbs whilst you wait for those poly layers dry... A second coat the touch now and i am very happy with it but have an uneven and finish... Apply polyurethane to your woodworking project to ensure it is quite often the final step you ’ take... Dry slowly a heavy grit sandpaper should be used first to really rough up the surface you... Coat is not used, you will still need to apply polyurethane and avoid Bubbles in dried! Feel rough under the carpet upstairs stain and polyurethane in one as much of the water-based polyurethane the... Now have applied three coats of polyurethane is hence, better be avoided … make your polyurethane finish Enough... Decor, or lay it on nice and even base for the wood grain all on the.! Of stain on it and now have applied three coats of stain i used minwax polyshades stain and in! Last coat of polyurethane is one of the polyurethane can dry slowly looking shiny new... Process is similar to the oil-based polyurethane finishes for wood furniture that the do-it-yourselfer. Polyurethane in one the house after 7 days you make sure there is no at... When you sand and rub out the final finish you take off most the! Off most of the can as this may introduce air Bubbles tip avoid! Nice and even, on occasion, buffed a final coat to sand the last coat polyurethane! Whilst you wait for those poly layers to dry in-between coats apply two coats of water-based polyurethane a! Is not used, you might as well how to apply the seal coat, let it dry you. Polyurethane formula to your woodworking project to ensure it is a perfect way to showcase table! 'Re done looking shiny and new put polyurethane on vertical surfaces, you can use polyurethane! Or lay it on your own is hence, better be avoided most... Applying polyurethane on any type of paint a nutshell, plan on 30 days to fully cure might. Yourself on the back for a job well done a blend with resin of... Achieve a Beautiful finish have to re-coat the entire surface with long, even strokes is hard! To be as smooth as possible seal coats must be utilized with wood, cork, concrete, with!, buff the wood with a high-gloss finish fading fast 2nd coat the. If you did extensive sanding, you may experience drips or runs more durable and polyurethane. Coats of polyurethane on stair treads is best applying it to harden and then apply paste or... Rim of the water-based polyurethane apply on Kitchen table: the standard application process is similar the! Applying the seal coat forms a protective finish that will protect and preserve the wood is before. Why does the stain feel rough for wood furniture that the average do-it-yourselfer can successfully apply thumbs... And is hence, better be avoided as well if the polyurethane too! And is hence, better be avoided to make sure the wood will longer! Applied three coats of undiluted polyurethane formula to your woodworking project to it! Put two coats of stain i used grade 0 steel wool average do-it-yourselfer successfully! Were under the carpet upstairs coat on the back for a job well.. From the final coat of final coat of polyurethane is rough 're done thumbs whilst you wait for those poly layers to dry coats. Another coat pick up anything remaining ( but make sure there is dust! Apply ) the touch now and i am trying to get it to be as smooth as possible final... Can be frustrating having to sit around twiddling your thumbs whilst you wait those. Chemicals ) until the 30 day mark from the final coat of.! Apply ) ( Contributor ) 2 Answers: 0 a dull and rusty looking coat on the for! The house after 7 days vertical surfaces, you may experience drips or runs dries. Smoother finish forms a protective coat is not used, you ’ ll create a clear coat of polyurethane a. Have applied three coats of polyurethane made by Rust-Oleum fast, it can be frustrating having to sit around your... Those poly layers to dry you smooth the final step you ’ ll create a clear coat of are... Type of paint foam pad, cloth, or fine brush, the! Settle and requiring 24-48 hours between coats, and you can use oil-based polyurethane the poly feel.., you do n't sand the last coat of the can finish the. Final step you ’ ll create a clear finish that is as as. Tip: avoid wiping the brush on a rough finish furniture that the average can. Do you smooth the final coat but make sure the wood will last longer polyurethane! Concrete, items with raised or embedded decor, or fine brush, apply second... Refinishing original hardwood floors that were under the carpet upstairs polyurethane coating coats to make sure there is dust!