Thin happens in two ways. Drop cloths should be used to protect surroundings … If you have a very light hot cup mark in a table, first test to see if it is a lacquer finish that can be totally repaired with "furnisher refinisher" -- but if it is a plastic finish, take "00" steel wool wetted with Wipe-On-Poly and very gently use the steel wool to remove just a fraction of the discoloured finish. The end result is the same polyurethane finish you get with a brush, but much thinner. Vacuum off the dust, then apply the finish as usual. If you’re using an oil-based finish and you want to make a surface smooth as glass, apply the last coat with “00” steel wool. Why would you want to work with so many coats, because it never drips or sags as it goes on so thin. Learn more about refinishing older furniture here. Minwax PolyShades is a combination stain and polyurethane finish for wood. Simply allow it to air dry, and you should be good to go to paint over top of it when finished! Apply at least two coats to achieve an even sheen. Applying the sealant should be an easy job. Click here for some amazing steel wool tips and tricks. I have fallen in love with this stuff. Do you have to sand between coats of PolyShades? Don't use a 25 cent brush that you throw away after you apply the sealant. Just wipe it off. Look more into our favorite wipe-on polyurethane here. Need an intricate project? Wipe off any excess stain. Get a paint pad at any home center for about $5. Apply a second thin coat, then lightly sand with 220-grit sandpaper. When you are working with sculptured surfaces, or spindles, this can really make a difference. Don't slop the finish on by brushing back and forth. Applying Polyurethane To Wood Floors With A Roller Clean the floor with mineral spirits on a rag to remove any dust […] How Long Does It Take For Polyurethane To Dry On Cabinets Applying polyurethane to cabinets.. After each coat, just store it in a sealed plastic tub or plastic bag. Then get yourself a clean cotton rag (old t-shirt material works great), and fold it into a nice square applicator pad. Polyurethane is widely revered as one of the most durable yet easy-to-apply protective wood finishes. Because the coating is thin and dries fast, “nubs” caused by airborne dust are much less likely. You can literally dab it into cracks and then wipe the excess right off. If your project has lots of hard-to-access surfaces, try a different approach. Sanding too hard might cut through the finish and leave bare wood. You would have to put a lot of coats on to make it strong enough to walk on or use on a serious wear surface, but for non-wear surfaces it is great. A paint pad holds more finish than a rag and wipes it on faster. You'll need to double the coats because the poly is thinned but you'll be … A margarine or cottage cheese tub is just right for wipe-on. Then after that, I just apply each additional coat once per day until it’s built up enough to my liking. Remove the dust with a tack rag (a sticky cloth you can buy at paint stores) or a vacuum and apply a second coat full strength. Polyurethane is so durable and water-resistant, it has largely replaced shellac and varnish as a wood finish. I like it to be palm-sized. We welcome your feedback. First thing is to ensure you use a quality brush. Here’s how to gauge which approach is best for your project. Wash it first with dish soap and water, then lightly sand the old finish with 220-grit sandpaper. As you are applying oil-based polyurethane, moisten the cloth with mineral spirits. We recommend our users to update the browser. Once the rags are stiff, they’re no longer a fire hazard. Regardless of the type you use, if your project will see a lot of wear and tear, few finishes are as appropriate as polyurethane for the protective topcoats. Then use this as the applicator, it works awesomely. + EASY. Depending on the project, I use either wipe-on or brush-on polyurethane on most of my work. Rub hard. You don’t have to work hard to rub it in or rinse it off. + DUST TOLERANT. Be sure that the rag you use is clean, dust-free and lint-free. Fold the paper in thirds so it doesn’t wrinkle, then hold it flat with two or three fingers. I bet you can imagine how many manufacturers send me products hoping that I will put them on TV. However, wet rags are safe if you dispose of them properly. Buying Guide When Choosing a Brush for Applying Polyurethane; Final Verdict; Tips & Tricks: Master in Applying Polyurethane For Your Project. Hold the can 8-12 inches from the surface. Look more into our favorite wipe-on polyurethane here. Step 8 Allow the urethane to dry for 24 hours and apply a second coat if desired. That said, the speed of wipe-on application often makes up for those extra coats. Pro tip: Avoid wiping the brush on the rim of the can as this may introduce air bubbles. Then remove all the sanding dust and apply a second coat. Using a rag also eliminates the bubbles you get when you apply Polyshades with a brush. Applying polyurethane with a brush is pretty straightforward. Dip your rag into the finish, squeeze out the excess and wipe on. Disclosure: This post is brought to you by The Family Handyman editors, who aim to highlight products and services you might find interesting. Cut a T-shirt into 6-in. Dip a lint-free rag into the mixture and swipe it over the surface of the wood. Applying Polyurethane for a Durable, Beautiful Finish. Apply the finish to a limited area, then wipe it off after a few minutes using dry rags. It will remove too much finish. When the urethane application becomes uneven, dip the pad back into the paint tray. Contact us, here. You can put on many coats and get the same durability as a brush on. Now, you are ready to apply polyurethane coating on the floors or apply stain on it. Don’t use an electric sander between coats. — EXPENSIVE. Let dry 4-6 hours. 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