Use whatever thinner the product recommends and brush on thin coats. Thin coats make thin brush marks and require only a light sanding before reapplying. Always allow more drying time after each subsequent coat. Good Luck!

What should you do between coats of finish?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: And at least partially cure before re-coating. I like to wait at least 24. Hours sometimes a few days before applying that final coat. The final coat is usually the thinnest.

Should you sand between finish coats?

Yes, you can sand in between coats of polyurethane but not the final coat. Allow at least 24 hours for the first coat to dry and cure before sanding. With a fine-grit sandpaper, gently sand along the direction of the wood grain. Remove the dust with a static duster before finishing with a tack cloth.

Should you sand polyurethane between coats?

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.

How do you apply multiple coats of polyurethane?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: So a lot of times I do my finishing at the end of the day after I'm done with my power tools and things have kind of settled down I clean up a little bit I come out and I do my I do my finishing.

What grit sandpaper should I use between coats of paint?

180 to 220 Grit Sandpaper

180 to 220 Grit Sandpaper: Finer grit sandpaper is great for removing the scratches left by coarser grits on unfinished wood and for lightly sanding between coats of paint. 320 to 400 Grit Sandpaper: Very fine grit sandpaper is used for light sanding between coats of finish and to sand metal and other hard surfaces.

How do you smooth the final coat of polyurethane?

How Do You Sand and Smooth the Final Coat of Polyurethane?

  1. Dry sanding the final coat, which is what most people are familiar with. It involves only the use of sandpaper.
  2. Wet sanding, which uses a combination of wet/dry sandpaper and mineral spirits or water.


Can you wait too long between coats of polyurethane?

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 soon can you apply second coat of polyurethane?

You should typically wait about 2 hours between coats of water-based polyurethanes and about 8 hours between coats of oil-based polyurethane before applying additional coats.

How do you apply polyurethane without brush marks?

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 get an even coat of polyurethane?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Make sure that before you clean it with steel wool that the finish is nice and dry and you want to use a really fine steel wool like zero-zero-zero. Apply on the finish. If you can apply it flat.

Can you use a rag to put on polyurethane?

Yes, you can apply polyurethane with a rag. Applying polyurethane with a rag is a good way to avoid paint bubbles, brush marks, and also helps you to paint hard-to-reach surfaces. There are many different ways to apply polyurethane, but the most common methods include spraying it or wiping it on with a rag.

Should I use a foam brush for polyurethane?

Yes, it is OK to use a foam brush to apply polyurethane. However, it isn’t the best choice for larger projects because the foam doesn’t spread the polyurethane as well as a synthetic or natural brush. Use a foam brush to apply polyurethane to smaller projects, like finishing a birdhouse.

Which is better Polycrylic or polyurethane?

The formula has an acrylic base; polyurethane is added for better adhesion and durability. Polycrylic is not as durable as polyurethane and is meant to be used only on interior surfaces such as cabinets, furniture, and trim.

What do you do with a brush between polyurethane coats?

Let it soak between coats.



When you’re done with the brush, rinse it a couple of times in used mineral spirits, then pure mineral spirits, removing the bulk of the solvent on newspaper each time.