7
votes
Would it be appropriate to sand a floor between coats of poly with a handheld orbital sander?
I had two floors to do once and between coats I used a broom with 3 bits of fine sanding paper taped to the broom head - cheap, cheerful and effective...
Also, had to punch down the floor brads (...
- 24.1k
7
votes
Accepted
Would it be appropriate to sand a floor between coats of poly with a handheld orbital sander?
You could use a hand-held orbital- like you mentioned the biggest downside is time. But you're correct, sanding between coats of poly isn't stripping an old floor- it's just scuffing up the previous ...
- 1,101
6
votes
Accepted
Avoid bubbling when applying polyurethane
Polyurethane and other varnish type coatings are usually installed with a very good fine bristle brush. Brush only one way and use as little brush movement as possible. A back and forth motion will ...
- 12.3k
6
votes
How do I fix a sink that became slow to drain after pouring polyurethane down it?
Start with (no, wait - buying your buddy a large quantity of the GOOD version [in your buddy's opinion] of something they like a lot, then...) removing the trap, assuming the trap is not one that has ...
- 166k
5
votes
Accepted
How should I sand before the final coat of polyurethane?
Depends on the quality of the existing finish... if it's as flat as you want it to be, then I'd kiss it with 150 on a pole sander.
Link for illustration purposes only: there are many out there...
...
- 17.9k
4
votes
What grit sandpaper should I use between coats of polyurethane?
Lots of good answers here. I was a finisher in a cabinet shop for many years and this is how used to do it.
Avoid anything with silicone to get on your hands or near your wood project. It causes fish ...
4
votes
Can I use 0000 steel wool to remove streaks in my polyurethane finish?
I would use a dual action orbital sander and wet/dry paper @1200 grit a very wet sponge to dampen the area dont press down let the sander float and as the streaks are cut out the residue will turn ...
- 101k
4
votes
Accepted
What materials can be used to prevent polyurethane glue from sticking to unwanter surfaces?
The following is a carry over from a CNC video I saw many moons ago, but have lost the link.
Give the selected adhesive a sacrificial material on which to bond. Your thoughts of using plastic bags ...
- 10.1k
4
votes
Accepted
Will wood glue hold two pieces of wood with a polyurethane finish?
Bonding anything together without sanding either down to bare wood grain, or at least scuffing the finish surface prior to bonding, will be tenious at best.
Having said that, if all you are trying to ...
- 151
4
votes
How are Clopay Intellicore garage door R-values so high?
I contacted Clopay. They sent the attached general information regarding thermal testing of garage doors, however, they did not specifically address how they could achieve the 18.4 R value of my ...
- 41
4
votes
Why does my wooden table have streaks after refinishing it three times?
As Harper mentions old poly can be a problem, but poly that is not well mixed (stirred not shaken) can also be an issue. If you sand you may well have scratches but don’t strip again--you need more ...
- 101k
4
votes
My apartment still smells like polyurethane after over a month! I have a toddler with respiratory issues, please help
From what you've told us, it sounds like you are trying a number of good ideas to help mitigate the smell and lingering off-gassing but maybe not optimally.
I actually would advise against using ...
- 1,997
4
votes
Oil- or water-based polyurethane to refinish stair banister?
I've been prejudiced toward oil based polys for years, but having used water based polys on some projects that weren't all the important, I've been impressed. Water based is much less toxic, easier ...
- 20.7k
4
votes
When do you use polyurethane vs. water based construction adhesive?
I use water-based (project or panel) adhesive on foam board or any plastic which the solvent will dissolve, or where cleanup of spills is a concern. Solvent-based (heavy duty) for almost everything ...
- 115k
3
votes
How best to remove fumes after applying polyurethane in a hardwood refinishing project?
Turn up the heat while opening windows across the house. Put in fans in windows/doors blowing in the house on one or two sides. Just don't put fans blowing in all windows so air has an easier chance ...
- 1,281
3
votes
If polyurethane is not food safe, why is it used on dining tables?
This article says it is food safe only after it is fully cured.
According to finishing expert Bob Flexner, all finishes are food-safe once they have cured. Polyurethane varnish does not present any ...
- 131
3
votes
Accepted
Can wallpaper be coated with a protective finish?
Generally, yes - you can help protect the wallpaper with polyurethane. However, once the paper is on, it's not coming off without a complete overhaul (sand it all off and redo it), and you should be ...
- 6,174
3
votes
Applying polyurethane to a vertical surface?
Preventing runs is as easy as following one simple approach: Start heavy, finish light.
What that means is that you immerse your brush to maybe inch of depth, scrape off one side on the can, and ...
- 115k
3
votes
What sandpaper grit should I use between coats of varnish?
1] Wait. It may take days or weeks for the varnish to harden enough to sand without it "balling up" or being "gummy". This is the most important thing.
2] Test it gently from time to time with 120 or ...
- 79
3
votes
Accepted
Are there masks that will reduce polyurethane's VOCs?
Yes, their are things that help with polyurethane fumes, masks with volatile organic vapor cartridges, usually activated charcoal.
VOCs are not particles of "stuff" so a particulate filter (N95, P95, ...
- 1,281
3
votes
Accepted
How are Clopay Intellicore garage door R-values so high?
Note the fine print in the chart: "Calculated door R-Value is in accordance with DSAMA TDS-163". Here is DSAMA TDS-163.
From the PDF:
Refer to Figure 1. A typical insulated door has an exterior ...
- 6,319
2
votes
What could cause polyurethane to dry with excess gloss?
Using the same product produced the same result shown - high gloss finish. After letting initial coat set up for 3 hrs, stirring the can well before and during application resulted in the desired semi-...
2
votes
What are the steps to cutting polyurethane?
thin the oil based poly at least 10% with mineral spirits before you start. You WILL get bubbles if the varnish is too thick when you put it on unless you are a real PRO. If you put on a coat and you ...
- 21
2
votes
What is the proper procedure to apply multiple coats of Polyurethane?
There is no substitute for sanding between each coat if you want the best finish. I get the best result building or refinishing furniture when I thin oil based urethane 3 parts urethane- 1 part ...
- 21
2
votes
Accepted
Stain, poly, cut… What order should I use when installing window trim?
I usually stain & poly the pieces, cut to size, stain the exposed end-grain, install, putty, then one more coat of poly.
So...
Stain -> Poly -> Cut -> Stain -> Install -> Putty -> Poly
Staining &...
- 2,328
2
votes
Accepted
Strong wood coating?
Two part polyurethane is the way to go, Its food safe when hard, and the active hardener makes a really good hard surface.
I also like the finish that these products add to the surface, and you ...
- 3,354
2
votes
How can I remove scratches in polyurethane?
The best answer I can give you without seeing the piece is to slowly start sanding away the finish over the scratch marks until they fade away. Visible scratches are always much deeper than you want ...
- 125
2
votes
How do I avoid taking off the finish at the corners when sanding between coats?
A shop I worked at called this "burning the edge". I was the noob and they never stopped smiling when it happened to me. I was using toned lacquer, which was even more fragile.
Short Answer:
Sand ...
- 171
2
votes
How best to remove fumes after applying polyurethane in a hardwood refinishing project?
Timeframe
The floor should be mostly cured (enough to live on) in the first 5-7 days, but it can take up to a month for the odors to be completely gone, and for the finish to reach its maximum ...
- 824
2
votes
Accepted
How hard should water based polyurethane get?
Assuming 70°F, 7 days to cure. You stated your temp has been 40°-60° and did not state humidity. There is nothing wrong with the product, you have used it outside of parameters recommended by the ...
- 33.8k
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