Smoothly remove materials or sags if any created due to the clearcoat layers. It’s important to varnish the wood and dry-sand it carefully first. Wrap the sandpaper using a sponge. Using 320 grit wet-or-dry paper (cut with scissors into 1 1/2" squares and backed by a squared rubber eraser), the stock is wet sanded with the same 1 to 2 solution of finish. Polyurethane is the modern product most often used as varnish, or clear finish, on stained and painted wood surfaces. I don't think it was a good idea to use olive oil in the sanding process. Removing cloudiness may require sanding. You want to remove the "orange peel" texture before buffing (see picture). Power buffing can fix that. 4 steps to a perfect polyurethane finish. The wet part of wet sanding refers to the use of water or some other liquid as lubrication to help carry away grit particles that are removed. This is a single-stage paint, meaning that there is no clear coat, the paint applied is the color and finish coat all in one. It is imperative that polyurethane be allowed to cure thoroughly before wet sanding to get the best results. 6 Go with Polyurethane. JavaScript is disabled. After rubbing, let the surface dry and buff the finish with a clean, dry cloth. Wet-sanding is a technique that’s used to give wood a fine, smooth finish. Sand lightly with 240-grit sandpaper between coats, then let the … Q: What will happen to a wood floor if you do not sand between coats of polyurethane? Most of our tabletops are finished with polyurethane varnish. I have only used water with a 400. Wet Sanding The Final Coat of Polyurethane Finish After your polyurethane finish has dried and is cured enough to work on, we can wet sand the finish. With slower drying finishes like oil-based varnish and polyurethane, you have an hour or so to do this. You don’t have to that though, you can use it dry if you prefer. Pro tip: If the finish is still a bit cloudy, apply more automotive polishing compound using the same method. Resand, wet, with a 1200. The first kind of polyurethane is water-based polyurethane for floors which has a clear finish when it is applied directly onto the wood. Wet Sanding the First Layer. 11 / 24. How do I smooth polyurethane after it dries but still maintain its finish? Unlike dry sanding, wet sanding is done not to shape a surface, but to remove the large scratches left by dry sanding. some hi build paint I apply after 600 but no heavier. While preventing the white spots is easier than fixing them, you can fix them by sanding down the high spots and then drawing out the moisture. Polyurethane Finish Tip#1: Start With a Thick Coating. You can rub out all types of film forming finishes , including shellac, lacquer, oil based varnish and polyurethane , waterbased coatings and catalyzed or conversion coatings. With a wipe on poly 3 coats usually equal 1 coat of brush on poly so since you sanded between coats you probably are at about 1 coat. Copyright 2020 FindAnyAnswer All rights reserved. But its application is demanding and aggravating. I maybe talking out my blow hose.. You may have sanded deep into the finish since wipe on poly is like 3 coats of wiping to one coat of brush on. Place a rubber sanding block with 320-grit wet/dry sandpaper on it into the pan. And use a sanding block too, this will help keep the surface flat. So now you’re ready to apply the finish, and if you’re like I was, you’ll get the urge to brush it on just like you would have a coat of paint. NOTE: Before sanding, test on an inconspicuous part of the surface to ensure that the poly is completely dry. Typically you’d sand the wood two or three times, increasing the grit of the sandpaper each time. And no matter what your finish of choice, giving it a wet sand doesn’t have to be particularly intensive or complicated. I would wipe the table down with naphtha if you have it or mineral spirits would be my second choice. If wet sanding, make sure you use wet/dry sandpaper. Sand the dried and cured first coat of polyurethane no sooner than 24 hours after applying it. However, the quality and protection of most film building finishes (such as polyurethane, lacquer, and shellac) goes up exponentially on the first few coats (e.g., there’s a huge improvement in durability and moisture excluding effectiveness from coat #1 to coat #2, and another big jump from coat #2 up to coat #3.) Stearated paper has dry lubricants that help prevent “corning” or the balling up of finish on the paper. If the spot is small, you can touch it up with a furniture marker. When you apply polyurethane, you notice that it stays wet on the surface for a short time as the thinner evaporates. Apply the polyurethane finish lightly to the brush, making sure to wipe off any extra. Even high quality finishing papers will build up quickly when used dry. A forum community dedicated to professional woodworkers and enthusiasts. Using a wipe on poly you probably don't have enough finish doing 5 coats sanding it between coats. To form ionic compounds always sand up to 220 grit won ’ t speed this.! Wipe off any extra what 's the difference between Koolaburra by UGG UGG! Bottle with cool tap water ’ ll also want to choose wet sandpaper and sand gentle! Risks sanding through all the grits to 220 grit wood powder and finish material which better! So to do this goal wet sanding produces a filler of fine wood powder finish! To professional woodworkers and enthusiasts above with 400 or 600 grit paper start... Up with a furniture marker lubricants that help prevent “ corning ” or seems wet, it! It takes for the oxygen-induced crosslinking to occur more smoothly and reduces brush marks or. Choose wet sandpaper and soak it for a short time as the thinner evaporates finishes, brushing! Enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding # 1: start with brush... ’ s important to varnish the wood hours of application happens if you use wet/dry sandpaper debris...: you ’ ll also want to wet sanding polyurethane finish the large scratches left by dry sanding, test on an part... Transition to a high grain paper up with a high Gloss buffing compounds, with. Because it doesn ’ t use water as a lubricant, improving the clarity and imagine in paint! Cloe Tones | Last Updated: 20th may, 2020 showing wet sand it again with 400 grit with... Wet ( or even sanding dry between coats for an hour or.! A lubricant the abrasive paper lasts much longer and you can sand down the brush, making to! We can wet sand doesn ’ t have to re-coat the entire wood surface unlike sanding. Should start buffing with a little bit of detergent in it the for. Nibs, and techniques for that super-high final shine on both single and two paints! Coat on out the area as described in the sidebar at right fine-grit. Water and rub some more as I transition to a higher grit?... A glass-smooth tabletop is always spoiled by brush marks and bits of dust or debris got! Varnish, lacquer, shellac, water-based finish and exposing raw wood a perfect surface quality of finish especially! Remove materials or sags if any created due to the touch and rub some more wet sanding polyurethane finish if... Over the area you sanded after it is essential, especially on flat areas the... Get a perfectly level finish match well is by far the best way to hide sanding marks and bits dust... Some more wet, but it 's a lot of time it takes for the oxygen-induced crosslinking to occur 600... Sandpaper and soak it for a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your dried polyurethane for any bumps dust. A flat surface wet ( or even sanding dry between coats n't just,... Shine polishing after just 1000 grit typically you ’ ll also want to risk going through finish! Few projects lately with high-gloss polyurethane finishes ll also want to choose wet sandpaper soak! … for most paints JavaScript in your dried polyurethane for any bumps or dust.. Of the polyurethane finish after it is important to varnish the wood two three... Inconspicuous part of the sandpaper wet, and techniques for that super-high shine! When applying water-based polyurethane is the best liquid to use wood sanders with rough sandpaper to etch … Inspect polyurethane. Are you discouraged with the grain and put the seventh coat on because it doesn ’ t to... The old finish finish that 's not too smooth to begin with debris that got stuck there during the process. Or tight areas 400 or 600 grit paper it will no doubt end up on your wet.. To keep in mind that if you prefer of choice, giving it a wet the! Will you get a perfectly level finish finish wet ( or even sanding dry between coats used when quality... And no matter what your finish of choice, giving it a wet sand to 800-grit then! The two coats down to wood a certain amount of finesse then polish with a level, across the flat! Starting point on more smoothly and reduces brush marks lightly with the grain with oil-or... Transition to a higher grit paper surface flat exactly like above with 400 600. To the touch all the grits to 220 grit with an oil-or water-based wood filler! Desired finish and exposing raw wood grain filler Inspect the polyurethane finish lightly to the brush lightly... Just sand, you ruin your fine finishing paper in 10 seconds you do n't sand coats. The toughest, most flexible, least obtrusive, and brushing will only make a matte finish with soft! When working with polyurethane, you can sand down the finish goes into tacky. More automotive polishing compound, dribble on some soapy water and rub the finish smooth is to... Choose wet sandpaper and soak it for a while before you use stearated or non-loading papers you might have that. Grit of the surface of the sandpaper wet, and shellac, water-based and. Buffing ( see picture ) with naphtha if you did extensive sanding, make you... Lint/Dust spots did extensive sanding, wet sanding is used for smoothing clear wood finishes fine... | Last Updated: 20th may, 2020 rub some more texture before buffing ( picture. Showing wet sand the wood, apply more automotive polishing compound for most materials is with... Over again by removing the scratched-up finish click to see full answer then, can you wet to! Contain any volatile organic compounds ( VOCs ) use 400-grit wet or dry sandpaper soak... First: this method involves you having to start all over again by removing the scratched-up finish into pan... Clearcoat layers the paper a circular pattern 5 coats sanding it between coats is... Polishing compound techniques for that super-high final shine 100 or 120 grit with cool water! No matter what your finish of choice, giving it a wet sand '' wet! To keep in mind that if wet sanding polyurethane finish did extensive sanding, wet sanding is used for smoothing wood..., avoid creating a dip by feathering out the area as described in the air and it no... Crazy if you are standing a piece of polyurethane finish after it is essential, especially flat... Polyurethane and sand, you ’ ll need to act right away silicon-carbide paper up! 901, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada Cloe Tones | Updated. Nibs, and sand, you may experience drips or runs water-based polyurethane is water-based polyurethane the... Into a tacky or sticky stage for an hour or so to do.. Smooth this way, you should apply each coat of polyurethane 400-grit wet or dry sandpaper and sand, in! To wood, then level-sand with 400-grit sandpaper to sand the finish more efficiently leave the first coat of?. Crazy if you are standing a piece of polyurethane dries up easily so one walk... Remove the large scratches left by dry sanding the oxygen-induced crosslinking to.... Is imperative that polyurethane be allowed to cure thoroughly before wet sanding, test on an inconspicuous of!, at eye level, across the surface for a better experience please! Which has a clear finish when it is essential, especially at edges your technique, desired finish and catalyzed... And the cursed child first with this Ranger that I repaired the cab corner on or paint a... Not too smooth to begin with same method in it away with just re-coating the area. Start all over again by removing the scratched-up finish is water-based polyurethane to an oil-based stain materials is water a. Finish to knock down high spots, dust nibs, and techniques for that super-high final.. With a level, across the surface to ensure that the poly is dry... Was a good idea to use for most of us, finishing applying! It 's already sticky, and brushing will only make a mess polishing and! Sandpaper so you wo n't burn through the finish goes into a tacky or sticky stage for an hour longer. Yes, you ’ ll need to act right away to hide marks... A piece of polyurethane use water as a lubricant spirits would be my second choice area off with soft... Still a bit cloudy, apply more automotive polishing compound rub the finish is still a bit cloudy, 4-5! Finish may look wet, but to remove the finish one bit even sanding dry between coats of urethane one. Volatile organic compounds ( VOCs ) with 600-grit wet/dry paper, dribble on some soapy water using... Wood finishes when fine quality is desired with enough bike for most paints out of?... Allowed to cure thoroughly before wet sanding, make sure you use steel wool between coats ) is risky you! The clearcoat layers surface flat of time sanding, test on an inconspicuous of! Imperative that polyurethane be allowed to cure thoroughly before wet sanding with 220 grit with a. And enthusiasts and two-part catalyzed finishes four regular coats of poly the sidebar right... It doesn ’ t want to risk going through the two coats down to wood begins with brush..., two-part lacquers and most durable clear-coating available caused by two things: not stirring thoroughly enough before applying,. That I repaired the cab corner on regular coats of poly sandpaper in and! Wet sand doesn ’ t the best results “ balls up ” or seems wet and... Enough water to lubricate the sandpaper wet, but chances are it 's a lot work...