The two major types of polyurethane are oil-based and water-based, each of which has different advantages. I just finished a cherry table top using poly for the first time. Applying polyurethane in even coats is a crucial, though not always simple task. You could use lacquer or conversion varnish if you are into solvent based finishes. Prior to coating them again, I'd suggest wiping the floors down with a dust mop that has been dampened with mineral spirits. Wipe on a very heavy first coat on the bare wood. This will make sure that the area doesn't get too much finish. Sand your wood with at least 220-grit sandpaper. If some remain, re-sand the furniture. How to Fix It: An abrade and recoat is almost always necessary to repair … Wrap the sponge in a clean … Finally, wipe the excess amount away with a rag right away. With poly not much you can do that I know of. Let it sit a few minutes and watch for dry spots forming where it soaks in. I would chemically strip the finish off, and use a wipe on version of an oil base varnish, or other top coats, that can be sprayed such as waterbased polyurethane. (I normally use too little.) Turned out great, no streaks. Since this is a water-based product, apply the conditioner to both sides to avoid having to start a thread titled "911: how to fix a … 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, … Brush the sanded area off with a soft cloth to remove all traces of dirt and grit from the sanding. Last tip; I don't know if you were planning on staining the underside or not (I can't tell if the top is off the table in the pics, sorry). Come join the discussion about shop safety, wood, carpentry, lumber, finishing, tools, machinery, woodworking related topics, styles, scales, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more! Brush marks often show up on pieces of furniture treated with polyurethane finish, usually despite the best efforts of the craftsman. Goof 3: It's splotchy. I noticed when it dried there were a lot of streaks in the finish even after sanding down with 4'0 steel wool and wiping down with mineral spirits. In your case you should be putting on 4 or 5 coats before doing anything more than a light scuff sanding with very fine paper or steel wool. By creating an account you agree to the Hunker. Wax a steel wool might work but what I have done is thin the material with appropriate flow control agent and apply a light final coat. Thanks again HerrBag! A light coating of finish after sanding disguises the area. Sanded with 320 & then 400 grit sandpaper on a block. It may take several light coats to create the desired effect, but that's better than applying too much. Practice on scrap wood to … Are the streaks going to be stuck there / should I just paint it black instead? Additionally, once the protective finish has been broken by a scratch, the wood underneath can be irreparably damaged by moisture or deepening of the scratch in the wood. A forum community dedicated to professional woodworkers and enthusiasts. Then after that apply 2-3 coats between sanding sessions. This will clean the floors really well and it will also help to see if all of the old streaks were buffed out of the floor. When it’s clean, mark out the section with masking tape. Is it a water based poly or solvent based? As a protective measure I've started down the path of putting some coats of a Satin finish polyurethane on them. http://www.woodworkingtalk.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=1269, VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter, Suite 901, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. Sand down the brush marks lightly with the fine-grit sandpaper. Is it a water based poly or solvent based? White spots on polyurethane are generally caused by two things: Not stirring thoroughly enough before applying it, or a buildup of moisture. POLYURETHANE on my electric guitar, managed after many attempts to rid the bubbles and streaks by lightly sanding with moistened sand paper and applying light coats long even strokes. Question. Wiped it down with soft cloth dampened with varsol & did another coat of poly. It doesn't look glossy, so the scratches aren't too much of a disaster, but I'd still like to fix … There is no quick fix for this, what I recommend is that you have the refinishers come back and screen and coat the floor. Allow the polyurethane finish to dry. To fix damaged clear coat, you'll need to clean the area, sand the old coat away, and spray on the new coat and polish. Uneven polyurethane coverage can be fixed with sanding. Water-based polyurethane is clear, low-odor and has a quick drying time.It is recommended for surfaces that see little exposure to heat or the elements, such as desks, bookcases and end tables. Luckily this is an easy problem to fix. Theres a trick I have learned for any poly product that works wonders with your finish. Ive read a variety of methods to correct.... Wax with steel wool, fine grit sand then apply new finish. When the brush marks don't resolve themselves, try a few corrective techniques. Whether it be water based, oil based, oil modified water based, etc. – Gloria May 27 '13 at 16:08 You just need the slightest … It is immaculate but hard to keep clean looking. Wish me luck. How to Fix an Uneven Stain on Refinished Wood Floors. As far as solving your problem goes, if the finish has stopped bleeding oil and feels like it has dried hard, you might be able to even out the gloss by wiping the cabinets down with a rag dampened with mineral spirits (assuming it was oil-based polyurethane) followed by a dry cloth. White spots on polyurethane can be caused by a number of things, but they are preventable, and small spots like this are easy to fix. That should be the equivalent of 1 coat of standard poly. 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. If it is not sanding dust it could be blushing if it was humid when you applied the finish. This means only touch wet paint that you’ve just painted. Inspect the dried area for brush marks. Touching paint that has sat for even a few minutes can cause streaks. I … Apply the finish gently to the sanded area, with as few brush strokes as possible. Additional background (probably unnecessary): I have a true black stained piece of plywood that I had spray-coated with polyurethane as the first layer (technically it's three, once-over sprays with a … He thought they might be stop marks. If you are staining an object large enough that you won’t have time to get the excess wiped off without leaving streaks, seek a second person to help. Check your applicator carefully, and remember what I said before about always using a new applicator for your final coat. Polyurethane typically leaves brush marks from a paintbrush whenever it is first applied, but if it is the right consistency and if the proper procedures are applied, the ridges resolve themselves and the polyurethane settles to a smooth finish. How to Fix It: Add more wax and buff it better to remove more wax. However, there is a way to remedy these flaws without undoing a day's work. The table, according to the manufacturer, has a polyurethane finish (on top of a walnut veneer). ! Buy the epoxy and do it right. Cheap sanding paper is more expensive, since they don't last anywhere as long as the premium ones. I applied 3 coats, sanding between coats. Any wood surface with a polyurethane wood finish can develop scratches with normal wear and tear. Brush Marks on Polyurethane Topcoat. Put the furniture in a well-ventilated work area. Some tree species contain pockets of sap, which cause the wood to absorb stain unevenly. Then, sand the area with a fine-grit scratch pad to get rid of the old coat. The section is splotchy Brush on polyurethane with a paintbrush in the direction of the wood grain. Typically, two to three coats are used with sanding in between coats to even them out. If there are ridges you probably want to sand everything flush. Cause: You may have used too much wax. Please help! Well<, I had to do something because my poly finishes sucked. JavaScript is disabled. Apply 3-4 coats before your first sanding, that should seal in your stain. Polyurethane typically leaves brush marks from a paintbrush whenever it is first applied, but if it is the right consistency and if the proper procedures are applied, the ridges resolve themselves and the polyurethane settles to a smooth finish. Each line was about 1 1/2 feet long and was visible from one wall to the other across the middle of the room. The can doesn't say whether it's water- or solvent based, but I'm guessing solvent because of all the nasty warnings about ventilation and VOCs, and the marketing language talks about its "special oils allow the finish to expand and contract....". Wipe off the excess with a rag immediately. Clean the wood very thoroughly to remove sanding dust before each new coat of polyurethane, using a vacuum (if available) and a tack cloth. All right then, chemmy! These particles can get caught under the finish and ruin it. It picks up what you’ve already painted and drags it a bit. Hope it's something easier. Start by washing the area with soapy water. Wait for the polyurethane to dry completely and cure as hard as possible. 20 comments on “ My Five Worst Mistakes ” bob 02/06/2014 at 4:13 pm. It may take several … Sand the Surface. It doesn't look glossy, so the scratches aren't too much of a disaster, but I'd still like to fix them if … Avoid Hard Spots on Your Applicator: Streaks can easily be caused by hard spots/stiff bristles on your applicator. The streaks are still there. For open-grain woods (like oak, ash, or walnut), you can apply a wood grain filler before the polyurethane, to create an ultra-smooth finished surface. Shiny spots in polyurethane floors can be caused by the finish not flowing out properly and pooling in areas, or inconsistent screening between coats of finish. Rather than lecture you on how to prevent the problem first, I’m sure you’re here because you already have the problem. When it comes to finishing furniture or hardwood floors, polyurethane is the key to protecting and preserving the stain. Note: Paper with a … Thanks eagleeye and cabinetman. Polyurethane isn't going to hold up well. It came out pretty nice, except that there are white streaks. Then after that apply 2-3 coats between sanding sessions. Last summer I was asked to troubleshoot a job for a relatively new contractor. He explained the problem as dull lines running cross-grain in the finish. Hardwood floors in a home create charm, style and resale value with very little maintenance. After you buff, the surface should feel buttery smooth. Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Make sure to apply even pressure to the area. Scrub out the streaks, then reapply the stain liberally. The problem with wipe on poly is that is goes on very thin and requires way more coats than a brush on. Applying polyurethane in even coats is a crucial, though not always simple task. This will make sure that the area doesn't get too much finish.Apply the finish gently to the sanded area, with as few brush strokes as possible. Apply the polyurethane finish lightly to the brush, making sure to wipe off any extra. Hope this helps. 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, … I used minwax quick drying polyurethane to topcoat a dining room table. These particles can get caught under the finish and ruin it.Apply the polyurethane finish lightly to the brush, making sure to wipe off any extra. What I think happened is that I either didn't get all the sanding dust of before the second coat, or I screwed up one of the early coats when applying the poly. Sand your project with progressively finer grits of sandpaper. Katie Leigh is a freelance writer and editor based in Chicago. So what I used is Minwax indoor/outdoor Helmsman spar urethane, in clear satin. In any event, the white streaks are not on the surface, so I can't just sand them off. When the brush marks don't resolve themselves, try a few corrective techniques. Typically, two to three coats are used with sanding in between coats to even them out. If the coating looks too thick, use the rag to lightly swipe at the area until it is even. Apply the finish gently to the sanded area, with as few brush strokes as possible. I have a feeling the streaks are from the steel wool. And all polyurethane will yellow. You commonly see these on floors or tabletops with heavy use. I would really hate to strip to bare wood… is there a way of either covering the streaks, making them disappear or removing just the arm-r-seal without removing the gel stain? For water-based stains, use a lacquer thinner. Strip as much of the staining as possible. ... Make note that commercial wipe-on poly is nothing more than thinned polyurethane. Wipe On Poly Leaving Streaks- How Can I Fix It? To fix this you'll need to buff the floors really well and then recoat them. I started with a standard type that I brushed on with a foam brush. There also were shiny and dull streaks spread randomly throughout the floor. It might rewet the prior coat and release the moisture -- Doubt it. That should be the equivalent of 1 coat of standard poly. If the stain you have used is oil-based, scrub the section while it’s still wet to remove the streaks, then reapply the pain. Brush. How to Fix It: Wipe it with a bit of mineral spirits and buff well. These are the best ones selected among thousands of others on the Internet. Depending on the level of gloss you want, go to an auto supply store and get a bunch of different grits from 300 and up. One of you can apply the stain, and the other wipe off the excess to get an even color. Streaks in polycrylic finish Ive used polycrylic many times but this time the finish is very streaky. Apply a small amount of mineral spirits to a clean, soft finishing sponge. always looks smudgy with any touch even after drying for a week. Get an assortment pack and stick with 3m. How to Apply Polycrylic without Streaks, Brush Strokes or Bubbles How to Avoid Brush Strokes and Streaks. Apply 3-4 coats before your first sanding, that should seal in your stain. Sanded the second time once dried for several days, wiped with varsol cloth again & recoated. Might try light sanding and a thinned out fiinish coat again. Apply more varnish on ... Usually 6-12 hours later, start the process of applying the next five coats. When you sand through it you will end up with what looks like a contour map. When it comes to finishing furniture or hardwood floors, polyurethane is the key to protecting and preserving the stain. Make note that commercial wipe-on poly is nothing more than thinned polyurethane. The most detailed guides for How To Fix Polyurethane Streaks are provided in this page. 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