The idea here is a gentle flow of air in and then out. NEVER SHAKE. Sign up for our newsletter! Please call us at: 1-800-HOME-DEPOT (1-800-466-3337), Please enter in your email address in the following format: you@domain.com. ", Step 5: Stir the can thoroughly to evenly redistribute any color pigments that may have settled to the bottom. Once the second coat is dry, shave off any bumps (per Step 5) and wet sand the surface (per Step 6). How to Apply Minwax PolyShades Step 1. Clear Dust From the Surface and the Space All Rights Reserved. After the first coat has dried for 24 hours, sand again with 180 to 220 grit sandpaper to remove drips, bubbles and other uneven spots in the coat. This also helps clear the fumes of oil-based polyurethane. Applying polyurethane is simple but time-consuming, because each coat must dry completely before you can apply the next. Apply a THIN coat of Minwax ® Fast-Drying Polyurethane using a high-quality natural or foam brush. We use an oil-based polyurethane finish in this story, though you can also use water-based urethane finishes with great results. I do this after the large areas are dry so I don’t smudge adjacent areas. The initial coat should be dry within a couple of hours, and you can then apply a second coat. Repeat as needed, applying 1 to 2 coats when using a brush and 2 to 3 coats when using spray. Sand your project with progressively finer grits of sandpaper. Remove Old Finish and Sand Thoroughly How to Stain Wood Evenly Without Getting Blotches and Dark Spots, We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer), 9 Ways to Keep Your Dog Active Inside During the Winter, How to Stain Unfinished Wood with Used Coffee Grounds, How to Match Wood Stain: Head to the Paint Store, Do Not Sell My Personal Information – CA Residents. But the color and depth you get are no match for oil-based urethanes. Overview. Wipe off any excess stain. All in all, the basics of thinning polyurethane are fairly simple. ", Step 2: Add a pea-sized amount of … Water based finishes can be a little tricky to apply. Products shown as available are normally stocked but inventory levels cannot be guaranteed, For screen reader problems with this website, please call 1-800-430-3376 or text 38698 (standard carrier rates apply to texts), Clear Dust From the Surface and the Space, Sand Uneven Spots and Apply the Next Coats, Step 1: Wash the surface. Open up the can and transfer a small amount into a plastic cup or old yogurt container. So it’s best to use clear gloss until the last couple of layers, then switch to … ", Step 4: In some cases, applying a coat of paste wax is the best way to hide scratches and worn spots on your floor, and it may extend the life of your somewhat worn polyurethane finish. Have a lot of polyurethane to apply? After you open the can, use a stir stick to mix the polyurethane’s components evenly, which may have settled and separated over time. Our latest shed is also a pavilion—and you can build it, too! Apply the Polyurethane. For added durability, a third coat can be applied. Oil-based polyurethane products are available as well, but not as commonly sold on shelves. Apply a small amount of mineral spirits to a clean, soft finishing sponge. Shaking can introduce air bubbles in the finish that could make an uneven coat. 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. Catch any drips, especially along the bottom edges. Catch any drips with your brush and smooth them into the surface. Stir the can thoroughly. Thin your oil-based polyurethane with two parts polyurethane and one part mineral spirits. Brushing a rounded, contoured or vertical surface is more likely to create drips. The basic application technique for water-based poly is similar to that for oil-based. When I stain wood, I lightly sand between coats because staining wood raised the grain. Sanding smooths it out and allows you to get a buttery soft finish. By far the best way to apply polyurethane to a table is to spray it, but if you're sensitive to VOCs and committed to brushing, it's best to use a foam brush to minimize streaking. Load your brush by dipping it about 1 in. Local store prices may vary from those displayed. Prepare raw wood by sanding it smooth, or previously stained wood by sanding it lightly to improve coverage. Polyurethane is oil-based, so clean up requires chemicals, it takes longer to dry and it smells awful. Stir Minwax ® Water Based Polyurethane before and during use to eliminate settling on the bottom of the can. It just helps it flow better. Yes and no. We recommend our users to update the browser. Learning how to apply polyurethane to stained wood can enhance the appearance of the stain while protecting the surface from scratches and other imperfections. They dry fast which means you have to apply them fast. Use of this site is subject to certain Terms Of Use. Apply the first coat of polyurethane using the best technique for the surface. If desired, apply Minwax ® Wood Finish ™ or Minwax ® Gel Stain to bare wood following all label directions. If you’re going to apply water-based polyurethane, dampen the cloth with water. Polyurethane wood finish offers durability and water resistance, which makes it a popular alternative to more traditional coatings such as shellac or lacquer. Sometimes i like to put a drop or two of water in the small cup i use to dab my application cloth in. Watch this video for the fastest way to get it done: Have an exhaust fan facing out through a window to remove vapors and crack a window at the other end of the room to let fresh air in. Polyurethane wood finish is used to coat surfaces, protecting them from scratches and helping to resist water damage. Then, sand with 180-grit until you've removed all the marks left by the 120-grit and the surface appears level. Put a small amount of finish on the cloth and rub it over the wood. Tip: Before use, a can of polyurethane should be stirred, not shaken. Keep a wet edge by overlapping each pass until the surface is completely coated. Use Wipe-On Poly for Small or Tight Areas After the roll-on coats are dry, I use Minwax wipe on poly (use the same sheen you chose for the roll-on poly) for the face frames, legs, doors or any other narrow, small or intricate areas. If dust motes or other particles settle on wet polyurethane, they can create a rough surface, defeating the goal of a smooth topcoat. Got a small project that you want to finish quickly and easily? A single layer of wipe on poly is very thin, compared to poly you brush on. Wear protective equipment and only dilute as much as you need to in order to get the consistency you want. After rubbing, let the surface dry and buff the finish with a clean, dry cloth. Wipe contoured surfaces with a clean cloth, going with the grain. Use an aerosol clear protective finish, like Minwax® Fast-Drying Polyurethane. Within 24 hours of applying the seal coat, brush on a coat of finish right from the can. Follow directions for application and dry times. Hold the can 8-12 inches from the surface. Apply a very thin coat of polyurethane with a fine brush, foam pad, or cloth. Expect shaking to create bubbles in the liquid, which may … It DOES yellow over time. Work with the grain, and avoid applying too much polyurethane to avoid raising the grain. As seen above, applying more than one coat of varnish is important for getting the best polished and shining surface. Tip: To keep outdoor dust and particles away from the surface, applying polyurethane should take place in a well-ventilated room indoors, with an open window or fan to circulate fresh air. Brush flat surfaces with a thin coat using a. Dampen a clean, cotton cloth with water and apply automotive rubbing compound to the surface in a circular motion. So now you’re ready to apply the finish, and if you’re like I was, you’ll get the … We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices. Learn how to prep the wood surface and successfully apply a flawless finish with these detailed steps. How to apply polyurethane to a desk or a table. A protective clear coat to protect from spills, scratches and dings! So I like to apply 7 to 10 coats. Dip the sandpaper in water and use circular strokes to remove the blemishes and any dust bumps. Overall, three coats are more than enough for varnishing exterior wood with Minwax Helmsman spar urethane varnish. Brushing a rounded, contoured or vertical surface is more likely to create drips. Once the surface is fully dry to the touch (at least 12 hours), cut any drips away with a razor blade. Wipe contoured surfaces with a clean cloth, going with the grain. The two major types of polyurethane are oil-based and  water-based, each of which has different advantages. Polyurethane Sheens Floor wax is softer than furniture wax, and it's identified as floor wax on the label. Keep Applying, 1 coat of wipe on poly is about 1/3 of brush on poly so get ready for a long process. ", Step 3: Apply the First Coat Stir in such a manner as to rotate the product from the bottom to the top of the can. Clean any tools, brushes, or other equipment you were using while thinning polyurethane or applying it to your project. Stir to rotate the product from the bottom to the top of the can. Wrap the sponge in a clean … After sanding the entire surface thoroughly, wipe off the dust and all loose sandpaper grit with a clean cloth. Stir the polyurethane. Step 1: Sweep the floor and then damp-mop it with water and white vinegar (10:1 ratio) or go over it with a tack cloth. Apply a THIN coat of Minwax® Fast-Drying Polyurethane using a high-quality natural or foam brush. Wait 8 hours before applying Water Based Polyurethane over stain. Learning how to apply polyurethane can give wood furniture and flooring a glossy, smooth finish while improving its durability. Then remove all the sanding dust and apply a second coat. Finish your woodworking project or furniture refinishing job with an oil-based polyurethane varnish to bring out the wood’s natural beauty and grain. If using oil-based, dampen with mineral spirits. As a last dusting step, wipe the surface down with a tack cloth. Stir Minwax ® Fast-Drying Polyurethane before and during use to eliminate settling on the bottom of the can. Be sure to catch any runs. If a waxed floor speaks to you of rich luster, be sure to use a paste wax intended for floors, not furniture. Apply Minwax® Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner to ensure an even stain color (see Wood Preparation for other tips). Keep in mind that you should never sand after the last coat of … Most clear finishes are applied with a brush, working in the direction of the grain of the wood. Once the wood is blemish-free, remove the dust. 20 comments on “ My Five Worst Mistakes ” bob 02/06/2014 at 4:13 pm. Waxing for a Satin Finish Rub the wax in the same direction as the grain. 5Apply the First Coat. Brush flat surfaces with a thin coat using a bristle brush . If you choose a water-based product, the process for achieving a smooth finish is basically the same. Stir Minwax® Fast-Drying Polyurethane before and during use to eliminate settling on the bottom of the can. Now this many coats of satin finish can make the finish look very mirky. NEVER SHAKE. Complete DIY projects like a pro! Minwax Paste Finishing Wax over polyurethane works great as it adds luster to it and a fine new look. After the third coat the finish will glide on very smoothly. Sand your project with progressively finer grits of sandpaper. Apply the first coat of polyurethane using the best technique for the surface. Note: Paper with a … If you are a newbie to this type of method, Minwax Paste has the ability to revive what was once worn without the tedious effort of removing the polyurethane layer. Brush the sealer on with a natural-bristle brush using long, even strokes. You’ll get the best results from your topcoat if you remove any old paint, varnish or other finishes before polyurethane application. After it dries, sand lightly. Overlap your strokes to get a uniform coating. Step 3. Wait at least 48 hours, then polish the finish using an automotive rubbing compound. Wipe the surface with a damp, lint-free cloth or sponge. Tip: If sandpaper is inadequate to remove dried drips or other imperfections, shave them off with a razor. Take the item you're finishing into a warmer area to apply the polyurethane, which you can do with … Grease stains, dirt, dried mud, and any sort of other filth needs to be washed off … If you’re sensitive to fumes or can’t get good ventilation, it’s a good idea to wear a respirator with an organic cartridge. After the first coat has dried for 24 hours, remove small blemishes by wet-sanding with 400-grit sandpaper mounted to a sanding block. See the best ways to use either method, below. ". Oil-Based vs. Water-Based Polyurethane into the mixture and brush the wood with long, even strokes from end to end. I used minwax quick drying polyurethane to topcoat a dining room table. 24-48 hours after you apply the first coat, apply the second and final coat using the same procedure as the first. ", Step 6: Minwax® Water Based Oil-Modified Polyurethane GOOD FOR: Doors, cabinets, furniture, and floors. Some products are designed to brush on, while others are designed to wipe on. I used 2 coats. A fan placed near the workpiece is bad news and will only blow dust right on your project. You … Sand the Surface. Do you have to sand between coats of polycrylic? Step 2. Test any stain you are considering. Just be sure you use a tack cloth to clean off dust that’s appropriate for water-based finishes, like a cheesecloth moistened with denatured alcohol. After the first coat, I used 220 grit sandpaper to lightly sand the surface as recommended. Combines the durability and ambering of an oil with the fast drying time, low VOC content, and easy cleanup of a water-based product. Step 2: Use the 5″ to 3″ brush to apply polyurethane to wood flooring edges, and use the roller or pad to apply … Different formulations of polyurethane create different levels of luster or sheen, so choose based on your preference. Prepare the polyurethane by reducing it about 10 percent with mineral spirits, unless you're using water-based polyurethane, which doesn't need thinning. Applying Polyurethane to Hardwood Floors: Step by Step. Apply an even coat of stain to your workpiece, making long brushstrokes and overlapping the edges for full coverage. © 2000-2020 Home Depot Product Authority, LLC. Need Help? Start with 120-grit sandpaper on refinished pieces and 80-grit on new wood. Always stir, rather than shake. Spread the varnish over the entire surface with long, even strokes. Sand Uneven Spots and Apply the Next Coats After sanding, dust and vacuum the surface and room as thoroughly as possible. Spray less accessible areas with aerosol polyurethane. Minwax Paste Finishing Wax Function. When the surface feels smooth, wipe it with a moist cloth and then dry it with a clean, dust-free cloth. Most projects will be ready for normal use in 24 hours. Wood finish applied smooth with Polyurethane (step by step) Give the can a shake before getting started. A protective clear coat to protect from spills, scratches and helping to resist damage... 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Product, the basics of thinning polyurethane or applying it to your project with progressively finer grits of sandpaper of. The initial coat should be dry within a couple of hours, then polish finish! Glide on very smoothly and you can also use water-based urethane finishes great... A protective clear coat to protect from spills, scratches and helping to resist water damage spread the over. Helps clear the fumes of oil-based polyurethane finish in this story, though you then!