Flat floors call for application with a soft nylon brush or roller, while curved surfaces such as furniture can be coated with a rag dipped in polyurethane. Trying to brush curved surfaces will be more likely to create an uneven and dripping surface. For those hard-to-reach areas, aerosol polyurethane is a godsend! Uneven and dripping areas of your dry first coat should be sanded down before you put on a second coat.
Applying a second coat on top of these rough areas will only highlight the flaws in it. Water-based polyurethane can call for as many as 4 coats before the surface is really finished, while with oil-based polyurethane you can get away with as few as 2 coats.
The most important thing to watch for during the whole process is to be aware of imperfections and be willing to sand them down for another coat. From lacquer, shellac, and more, there are natural products that produce similar results to polyurethane. Lacquer is a product that uses clear nitrocellulose suspended in a solvent solution. Once dry, lacquer becomes a shiny and clear protective layer.
Lacquer as a finishing agent is particularly known for being crystal-clear once dry. Shellac is used to produce a brilliant sheen and is in fact why Skittles are so shiny! Shellac is harder than lacquer but less durable than polyurethane. Varnish is often used as a catch-all term for finishers, but varnish itself is made of solvents, oil, and alkyd resin. Like lacquer, the solvents evaporate after application, and the layer left behind hardens and becomes water-resistant. Varnish is a little outdated these days but is useful for areas exposed to water, like decks.
Water-based polyurethane typically dries after six hours of application. At this point, the floor must have become dry, and you can walk on it freely. It would be best if you also kept pets off the floors to avoid leaving indents. It takes roughly 30 days to cure fully. By that time, you can resume your regular activities. First off, you need to determine whether you want an oil-based or water-based polyurethane.
I advise that you opt for a water-based polyurethane to avoid amber coloring. This will boost the surface resistance and strength. Remember, you can apply polyurethane on any paint. If the surface has been long painted, you should begin by washing it properly. Washing it will take away the grease, stains, dirt, and all types of filth, which is vital to maintain a clean surface.
Use a soft sponge and a powerful detergent to clean the area. Alternatively, you can mix one-half cup of trisodium phosphate in warm water to clean the surface. Trisodium phosphate is known for its cleaning prowess and what most painters use to get painted surfaces clean. Allow the painted surface to dry adequately after washing. This usually takes between 24 and 72 hours. After drying, use grit sandpaper to scuff off the surface. Doing this will prevent any deep scratches from forming and flatten the surface.
You can choose to flatten the surface by hand or a palm sander. When you are done, wipe clean the dust with a damp cloth. After you must choose your polyurethane type, next is to choose your method of application. Avoid using a roller to apply the polyurethane because it will leave bubbles behind. For best application, you should either use a brush or spray it.
Brushing works best when working on a flat surface that requires building a strong or thick film. Spraying works best for hard to reach surfaces. You can also apply polyurethane by wiping. This method is best for contoured surfaces like crown molding. The method forms a thinner coat. Ensure that the surface you want to use this method is not wear-prone. After applying the first coat, allow it to dry for a while.
When applied to wood or another material, it dries into a clear, shiny, and durable clear coat. This protects the surface from damage from scratches, scuffs, impacts, and other damages. The material is available in oil-based and water-based variants, with varying levels of luster. You can paint over polyurethane, but there are some caveats to keep in mind when you want to do so. Firstly, it becomes crucial to sand the area, even more so than when freshly painting it.
Another consideration is primer. Paint may not stick to even well-sanded polyurethane surfaces, which is where primer comes in. Primer is similar to paint but serves the purpose of preparing the surface for painting. Nearly any paint will stick to polyurethane-treated surfaces, given the proper preparation.
Priming after sanding is ideal for giving your paint the best chances of adhering to your surface and staying there for a long time. This can occur with some strongly-colored wood stains. Oil-based enamel is typically used when you want your surface to remain durable without compromising the protective qualities of the polyurethane finish, but it produces unpleasant fumes.
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