Another common cause is a wet object or a water spill left two long on the surface. Wrap the sponge in a clean white cotton cloth. She has more than 16 years of theatrical experience as an actor, director and playwright. Polycrylic™ dries to the touch in 30 minutes and can be handled after 1 hour. Amazon.com: Minwax 64444444 Polycrylic Protective Finish Water Based, Quart, Semi-Gloss-New: Home Improvement Sand in alternating directions with each abrasive to make it easier to see whether you've removed the scratches from the previous grit. However, keep in mind that you should recoat it, and you can apply the second coat of Polycrylic 2 hours after the first application, and then repeat this for the third coating as well. Before the final sanding, moisten the wood with a rag or sponge dipped in water. You will also get a sanding dust of the finish you have removed. I have a coffee table top that has given me years of grief. 3. When the top coat is applied, the oil in the stain seeps up through the finish and reacts with the acrylic causing a chemical blush. How to Polish Acrylic. I recently applied miniwax polycrylic (gloss) to a set of cornhole boards. If the cloudiness isn't widespread, and it's caused by moisture, a simple trick may help: Step 1 … The final coat for me does have a couple tiny bumps (that I could live with), but I find sanding removes the shine a bit. Polyurethane is the modern product most often used as varnish, or clear finish, on stained … Cloudy finishes appear for several reasons, including using an old product or one that's been stored in a very cold or hot environment. It’s a good idea to sand these areas separately after you’ve sanded the bulk of the surface so that you can pay close attention to how much finish you’re taking off near delicate edges. Let it dry, then load a clean sponge and cloth, and repeat. By creating an account you agree to the Hunker, Family Handyman: How to Apply Polyurethane. Sand with the grain on the final pass. Clear out the work area, and turn off any open flames or pilot lights nearby. cloudy, but consistent. The first coat looked great however successive coats turned white and cloudy in areas. I know—I use it myself! Reapply the finish per label directions, stirring the product as you work. 3. Discussion Starter • #1 • Oct 20, 2009. When sanding, start with 100-grit medium sandpaper. After final coat, allow 24 hours before normal use. You don’t know how thick the existing finish is, so take it easy. Start by sanding your piece very well. There are three causes: 1. The term for a cloudy, milky appearance in the finish is Blush. Lightly sand the piece with 220-grit sandpaper, if cloudiness persists. Paint doesn’t raise the grain of the wood, so I typically do not sand between coats of polycrylic over paint. However, if it feels rough to the touch after a coat of polycrylic, you can sand with 400 grit sandpaper to make it smooth. Lightly sand the piece with 220-grit sandpaper, if cloudiness persists. Polycrylic is water soluble, nonflammable and odor free. But with closed-grained woods like maple or birch, don’t skip any grit steps, and go all the way to 220 grit. A light coating of finish after sanding disguises the area. The most common reason is an incompatible stain. Polyurethane is an oil-based covering used for top coating stained and painted wood. Emily Pate holds a Bachelor of Arts in theater arts and government from New Mexico State University. After technique was finished, again let it dry for 2 FULL days before applying first coat of Minwax Polycrylic, and again, thin applications using foam "sponge -on-a-stick" applicator. We’ve had some discussion in our Facebook group lately about Minwax Polycrylic, one of the most popular sealants used in the acrylic pouring community. It's some sort of pine with at least one knot that has seeped in the past. Can you paint over Polycrylic without sanding? The most common reason is an incompatible stain. After the recommended time, check the finish to see if … Don't sand the surface any more or after the next coat or you will be right back at the same spot. Water-based polyurethanes lack that amber cast, but some still do cause white or light-colored surfaces to yellow after drying or become slightly cloudy over darker finishes such as milk paint. You can also improve drying conditions by increasing the temperature in the drying area. A light sanding between coats will promote adhesion of the subsequent coats. All the paint in the world cannot cover up rough wood. share. Working quickly apply an even coat to the surface (plan for 3-4 coats). Sanding sponges; Polyurethane, Polycrylic or Sealing wax protective finish; 1- Prepare for Paint. Second, we recommend applying a sanding sealer to protect the top. To fix this, the surface needs to be scuffed and sanded first. Allow the wood to dry, then sand off the raised grain with #220 sandpaper. Polycrylic is a brand name from the Minwax company, a company well known for polyurethanes. After wiping off the dust, apply Polycrylic™. Although some sanding between coats is needed for some users, it's actually a very self-serving direction on the part of the manufacturers as they're assuring you use more of the product than needed. Proper application also requires stirring the polyurethane coating immediately before placing it on the surface, which should be clean and oil-free. Note: The first coat needs the most sanding to appear smooth; don't worry if it doesn't look as flawless as you'd like at first. Sand until the polyurethane finish is removed. Instead, it’s best to use a nylon scrubby-type abrasive, such as 3M’s Scotch-Brite pads. If the spot is small, you can touch it up with a furniture marker. There are three causes: 1. 4. 86% Upvoted. The most common reason is an incompatible stain. It’s always a good idea to clean away the dust when sanding so the surface is completely smooth and scratch-free. This is one of the main reasons I love using quality lumber, it makes sanding so much easier. hide. Wondering if anyone has done this and how long it took before you could level them with sand paper? How Long Do You Let Polyurethane Cure Before Wet Sanding?. Sand down the brush marks lightly with the fine-grit sandpaper. *Why Did the Finish On My Piece Become Cloudy After Top-Coating Milk Paint with High Performance? Step 2. Instead, it’s best to use a nylon scrubby-type abrasive, such as 3M’s Scotch-Brite pads. I applied 3 coats of the stain and everything looked fine and I was happy with my efforts.