A couple possibilities come to mind:

  1. The product was not mixed well.
  2. The product has exceeded its viable shelf life.
  3. The product is contaminated.
  4. The table surface contains contamination.
  5. The table is made from a very oily wood that the varnish is not bonding well too.
  6. Applying it with the wrong applicator.

Can you apply a second coat of polyurethane without sanding?

Can I recoat polyurethane without sanding? No, you cannot recoat a polyurethane finished wood without sanding it. To begin, use a 120-150 grit sandpaper or no. 2 steel wool to lightly sand the surface.

Can you put too many coats of polyurethane?





Generally, more than 3 coats of poly doesn’t do much good. It’s really not needed nor recommended. Each additional coat needs to be buffed so you are kind of buffing off half of the previous layer. So 4 coats is more like 3.5 coats.

Should I sand between coats of polyurethane?

Allow each coat to dry fully. To give the subsequent poly layers something to bond to, sand lightly between coats with 320-grit sandpaper wrapped around a hard block. 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.

Why is my polyurethane separating?

The product is contaminated. The table surface contains contamination. The table is made from a very oily wood that the varnish is not bonding well too. Applying it with the wrong applicator.

How do you fix peeling polyurethane?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: You can't fix you can't glue it back down no you can't glue it back down not only. If if you're probably peeling off the way fix. It is to re-sand the whole floor to start from scratch.

What happens if you recoat polyurethane too soon?





When you recoat after 2 hours you get a chemical bond between layers. If you let it go longer than that, you need to wait 24 hours so it’s hard enough to sand and get a mechanical bond.

How many coats of polyurethane should you put on a kitchen table?

The polyurethane coat requires at least three coats to give the table a perfect finish. But you can put more layers to make the table look glossy and shiny. Make sure that you give time to each coat to be dried up properly.

Can you poly over poly?

As long as you use the proper steps to prepare the finish, you can put Polyurethane over old Polyurethane. But before you apply the topcoat polyurethane, you might have to sand the surface lightly using a dull 120 to 150 grit abrasive or using a heavy floor buffer.

How long should I wait to apply a second coat of polyurethane?

If you use water-based polyurethane, you only have to wait between 2 to 4 hours before applying the next coat. However, when using oil-based polyurethane, you might wait for 10 to 24 hours. You can apply the next coat in as little as 4 hours if you are using fast-drying, oil-based polyurethane.

Should I sand after the last coat of polyurethane?



No, you don’t need to sand the final coat of polyurethane. The only time you should sand the final coat of polyurethane is if you haven’t gotten a smooth finish. Different problems can occur when you apply polyurethane, such as dust nibs, bubbles, and streaks.

How do I make my polyurethane finish smooth?

Sand lightly with 240-grit sandpaper between coats, then let the last coat dry for at least 24 hours. This is standard practice with any wood finishing job, and is nothing out of the ordinary. That said, sanding bare wood beforehand to create a smooth foundation is key.

Can I sand off polyurethane?

Sand the surface to remove polyurethane.



You can simply use fine steel wool. You can also use 150-grit sandpaper. The sandpaper will smooth it out and take off the last of the polyurethane. The after wash should have taken off most of the polyurethane, which is why you shouldn’t need a heavy-duty sandpaper.

How do you fix cracked polyurethane on wood?



Rub the area of the crack with #0000 steel wool, following the direction of the grain. Dip a 2-inch brush in polyurethane and apply a very light coat over the formerly cracked area. Allow it to dry overnight.

Should you Stir water based polyurethane?

Tip: Before use, a can of polyurethane should be stirred, not shaken. Shaking can introduce air bubbles in the finish that could make an uneven coat.

How do I get a smooth finish with water-based polyurethane?

First use a degreaser cleaner like Formula 409 or Fantastik to clean away any buildup of grease or cooking oil. Scuff-sand the old finish with fine synthetic wool, then seal with Zinsser SealCoat. Sand the seal coat with fine synthetic wool, then brush on two to three coats of water-based poly to complete the job.

How do you remove brush strokes from polyurethane?

When the brush marks don’t resolve themselves, try a few corrective techniques.

  1. Use a foam brush or a lambswool applicator instead of a brush. …
  2. Use a natural-bristle brush rather than a synthetic one if you are using a bristle brush. …
  3. Thin your polyurethane with paint thinner, mixing it with a paint stir stick.

How do you apply water-based polyurethane to a table top?



Applying a Water-Based Polyurethane



Apply a very thin coat of polyurethane with a fine brush, foam pad, or cloth. Work with the grain, and avoid applying too much polyurethane to avoid raising the grain. The initial coat should be dry within a couple of hours, and you can then apply a second coat.

How long does polyurethane take to cure on table?

How long does polyurethane take to dry on wood furniture? Polyurethane dry time on furniture is 2 hours when you have proper ventilation and the right weather conditions. The polyurethane cure time is much longer at 21 days for water-based poly and 30 days for oil-based polyurethane.

Should I use polyurethane on a dining table?

Polyurethane varnish is the quickest and easiest way to finish a kitchen table. Most flow well when brushed on and leave few, if any, marks. Though it’s important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully, properly finishing a kitchen table generally requires two to four coats of varnish.