It all depends on the environmental conditions (temp and humidity basically). Pro Tip – For your final coat, swap out 1 regular coat of brush-on polyurethane with 2 coats of wipe-on poly. Can I use a sander between coats, or should I do it by hand? In addition to being the final round of regular sanding, you should also use fine-grit sandpaper to sand off any scratches you notice, because it gives you the most control. That’s enough to really seal up the wood and reduce it’s moisture absorption rate. It could be anywhere from a week, to a full 30 days. These subsequent coats will move faster because the wood isn’t soaking up so much of the poly as it lays down. I personally have never seen it happen, but it does make sense. Because there’s no cleanup! Water-based poly is colorless. I hope that sounds good to you, because that’s what you’re getting into here today. What materials are used for filling the cracks and gaps in wood ? To avoid getting dust in the can, though, pour some into another container rather than dipping your brush or cloth right in the can. And the faster the finish dries, the less chance it has at picking up any additional dust particles. This means it dries much faster than regular poly. If I've applied a color stain to the wood, should I really be sanding between coats? I like having light in the backdrop of my work area, so I can easily find the glare as I look for the wet line. Coarse sandpaper is only useful for completely rough materials. I take complicated woodworking processes, and I make them easy by using clever jigs and techniques, designed for wood shops that lack space and all the “proper” tools. Click on another answer to find the right one... Not quite! If you really want that mirror finish, spray the final coat. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. And you shouldn't be pointing a fan at the floor anyhow. May 7, 2017 - DIY Tutorial: How to Apply Polyurethane. Follow directions for application instructions and dry times. You can stain or paint the wood before applying the poly. So it can be worthwhile to set up some additional lighting if your work area is poorly lit. Never place a fan in your immediate work area, since this may lead to dust being blown onto your wood as you coat it. Sanding between coats is to make the new poly coat adhere better to the previous one for protection, not merely to make a clean, even look. Wipe off any excess stain. If you need help learning how to stain wood, there’s a link for you at the end of this article. It’s best to make your touch down and lift off points at obvious seems or joints, or at the corner of the surface. When using a foam brush, you don’t really need gloves as you would when applying a wipe-on poly. thanks for the tip on gloss and satin, i my self have always been a danish finishing oil person. If you go too fast, it simply will not lay down evenly, and you can restart the row, just go slower. Everything up until that point can be the clear gloss. I’ll link to that at the end of the article. For more information see my disclosure page. If you’re not set up to spray, then you can’t get the full benefits of a Lacquer finish, so polyurethane is a great alternative, and it takes less setup and less equipment to apply. In general, polyurethane’s dynamic performance properties become significantly degraded at temperatures above 93°C (200°F). Take the item you're finishing into a warmer area to apply the polyurethane, which you can do with movable items such as outdoor furniture. A clear gloss polyurethane creates a very reflective, shiny finish. How To Apply Polyurethane To Your Wood Projects. Why shouldn't you put a fan in your immediate work area when applying polyurethane? I don't want to inadvertently remove the stain. Polyurethane fumes are dangerous, but unlike something like spray paint, a fan won't spread polyurethane around more than the regular application process does. Using two coats is typically advisable because this provides better protection and a more even finish. Pick another answer! Then go ahead and repeat the process, laying on another coat. Thanks. Dip your brush gently and take your time painting the surface. A fan kicks up more dust than other forms of ventilation, making it a poor choice when you're working with polyurethane in particular. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In general, it is favored, since it forms a waterproof seal that keeps almost wood and other protected surfaces per year. The foam brush has a nice straight edge tip, so when you get to the edge of the material, you’ll stop the brush right at the edge and lift off. 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