FWIW. How do I smooth polyurethane after it dries but still maintain its finish? I would be surprised though, if the shellac wouldn't crack with that test.I too don't care for gels. You can in theory do this entirely with abrasive paper or film, but you have to go to extremely high grits and these can be quite costly. Thanks for contributing an answer to Woodworking Stack Exchange! Apply a final polish of your choice. Can you have a Clarketech artifact that you can replicate but cannot comprehend? You don't really think that I would post something here and risk the wrath of whomever, with out having done it myself do you?:)Dano. But large bubbles formed in the second coat about 10 minutes after I applied it. 00:31. 7. Quick Tip! It may take several … So I sanded them out and brushed on a new coat. What can I do? Chris Deziel is a contractor, builder and general fix-it pro who has been active in the construction trades for 40 years. Shellac has the unique ability to block troublesome wood contaminants and still be compatible with any finish applied over it. Simichrome, Flitz or T-Cut to rub out the finish to its final high gloss. @grfrazee, yes, most any brown paper from wrapping paper to paper bags will do it. Make sure the poly has cured for a minimum of 4-5 days at 70f. Basically you can't. My experience shows otherwise, could product brand cause the differences? Also, try this out on a test panel first to make sure you like the result. Test the finish if you don't know what type it is. MAINTENANCE WARNING: Possible downtime early morning Dec 2/4/9 UTC (8:30PM…, “Question closed” notifications experiment results and graduation. Is ground connection in home electrical system really necessary? Use these sample pieces to make sure the finish is properly cured and ready to rub out. How do I get oil based paint off the hardwood stair risers, in the corners? Q: I sanded, cleaned, and applied one coat of a high build poly to my floors 7 days ago. Chris Schwarz has worked out of his tool chests for decades, and finds them to be the perfect combination of protection, access, and flexibility. By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Cookie Policy, Privacy Policy, and our Terms of Service. However, there is a way to remedy these flaws without undoing a day's work. How to fill in holes and gaps after applying polyurethane, How to fix polyurethane finish peeling off furniture. Brush marks often show up on pieces of furniture treated with polyurethane finish, usually despite the best efforts of the craftsman. How do I avoid or remove the scuffing? After sanding (fine grit sandpaper or 0000 steel wool), wipe off the dust with a rag soaked in mineral spirits, then apply the final coat in a dust-free environment so that you don't get any more nibs in the finish. It is still tacky and not drying at all. Scuff-sand the bubbles with 120-grit or finer sandpaper, depending on what you're finishing. How to consider rude(?) What is this part of an aircraft (looks like a long thick pole sticking out of the back)? While this polyurethane can help make your wood surfaces look smooth and glassy, it may feel a bit bumpy or uneven at first. Thanks for your suggestions! Dust particles can also give the appearance of dried air bubbles. But, hit a baseball at each of them, and only one is likely to break.Dave. Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. A: Are these lumps 'debris' or pimples? The symptons of overworking the area generally are minute balls, a little larger than dust particles, you will also notice the brush "dragging".Air bubbles generally result from improper brush unloading and a can that has been shaken. As to the air bubble thing, I did find a previous post that suggested heating up the wood before polying. reply from potential PhD advisor? Here’s how to get your Christmas tree on a car and take it home safely. To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers. *Hi Dano,Just to clear up the polyurethane gel thing, the brand I use is Mastercraft Polyurethane Gel Wipe-On Clear Coat. Do not try to polish an uncured film. In a couple of … Loose or Creaking Boards & Tight or Popping Boards, recommendation to hire an experienced pro. Apply the First Coat of Polyurethane. Wipe off the sanding dust with a rag, and spray the surface again. After the piece has sat for about a week, take a ball peen hammer and give the piece a rap on each finish area, you will notice that the poly will spider web around the area of impact, while the varnish and shellac won't.FWIW, as I was trying to figure out what was wrong with Taunton's server I was doing some browsing in their i Fine WoodWorkingsection and found a reference to gel polyurethane, forget who the manufacturer was though as I am not a fan of gel finishes.Dano, *That has to be a brand thing, Dano. Thinning doesn't affect the quality of the finish, but it reduces the amount of solid material you deposit with each stroke, so you may have to apply an extra coat. “The only way to correct this issue is to strip the finish down to bare wood, wipe it thoroughly with denatured alcohol, and restain. Minimize this problem by applying thinner coats or by switching from standard brush-on poly to a wipe-on or spray finish, both of which can be applied in very thin coats. Then when it is dry I have all these little bumps in my finish. 8. Evening reflectivity of a finish after “finishing the finish”, Raw/Pure Tung Oil finish - seeping issues. If they are pimples and there aren't a lot of them, you could try to…, We removed old linoleum and found very nice pine flooring underneath. *Dave, no problem. Is it illegal for a police officer to buy lottery tickets? Both activities introduce bubbles into the mixture in the can, and it's likely that you'll transfer some of these to the surface you're finishing. Click for full details. What do I do now? What if the P-Value is less than 0.05, but the test statistic is also less than the critical value? The ideal situation might be considered to be where you don't need to sand any nibs or imperfections, and if you set up a dedicated finish room or zone where fluff or dust are kept to a minimum that's theoretically possible. I guess I have also learned that to get a professional looking unblemished finish I would either need to wipe on all of my coats of polyurethane, which would probably mean 8 coats, or rub out the finish when I am done.