Easy Steps To Apply Polyurethane To Stained Wood
Polyurethane is popularly known as one of the long-lasting & easy-to-apply preventive wood finishes. Polyurethanes are usually available in both oil-based as well as water-based forms, and there is not too much of a difference betwixt the two in both performance as well as application. Standard polyurethane is applied using a brush, however, there are also dispose of formulas that are applied with the help of a rag, as well as a spray finishes in aerosol cans. No matter which type of polyurethane you use, if your wood a lot of wear and tear, then a few finishes of polyurethane are enough for the protective topcoats.
Applying Oil-Based Polyurethane
It is highly possible to thin oil-based polyurethanes with the help of mineral spirits or naphtha, but for the majority of the applications, this is not mandatory, go through the manufacturer's suggestions on the product label. Thinning is a process that will assist the finish drift into thin details, corners as well as cracks with less buildup.
- First of all, put on oil-based polyurethane with the help of a fine-bristled brush or a foam brush. Prevent cheap bristle brushes, as they have a tendency to leave clear brush strokes. Foam brushes are cheap as well as expendable and work well for the majority of the flat surfaces. Bristle brushes are the best options when it comes to working for molded edges as well as fine details.
- Brush on the polyurethane in order to make sure that the brush strokes are side by side to the grain of the wood. Make sure to use an adequate, but not excessively thick, coat of finish. Finish each area with the help of long, straight strokes in order to get rid of as many bubbles as possible.
- After the first coat dries completely, as per the manufacturer's instructions, smoothly sand the whole surface, again side by side to the grain, with the help of 320-grit sandpaper. The polyurethane will sand comfortably & effortlessly, therefore, remember not to sand through the thin coat and harm the stain or wood underneath. Get rid of all the dust with the help of a vacuum and tack cloth before putting on the second coat.
- Repeat the above steps as long as the desired level of safety is achieved. For safety purposes, 2 coats are anyhow required, however, floors and anything that will go through hard wear or occasional moisture needs nearly 3 coats. Each & every coat makes the finish a bit smoother. After applying the final coat, you can rub out the finish with the help of #0000 steel wool to a consistent glossy level, followed by paste wax application for a nice luster.
Applying A Water-Based Polyurethane
Water-based polyurethanes are the type of polyurethanes that will not be a suitable match when dealing with oil-based stains, therefore, if you are applying over the stain, then rough up the stained surface moderately before applying your water-based polyurethane, with the help of some synthetic steel wool. Due to the reason that oil and water don't mix, this will help stop the polyurethane from beading on the surface, including the water on a freshly waxed car.
The basic application method for water-based polyurethane is the same as that for oil-based. Put on a very fine polyurethane coat with the help of a fine brush, foam pad, or cloth. Work with the grain, and prevent putting too much polyurethane to keep away from raising the grain.
The first coat should be dry within a few hours of application, and then put on a second coat. If in case you apply in this way, there will be no need to sand betwixt coats as you do with oil-based polyurethane, go through the manufacturer's suggestions. Apply nearly 3 coats of water-based polyurethane on gently used projects and nearly 4 coats on floors and any pieces that need maximum safety.