Sand the uneven finish using fine-grit sandpaper. I’m not sure from your post, but are you calling the polyurethane “stain” or did you actually put a colored stain on the table and then a polyurethane finish over that? Over the weekend I applied the final coat of polyurethane to a small section of cypress pine floorboards that needed replacing ie 1m x 3.5. Put a few drops of lacquer thinner on an inconspicuous part of the floor, then feel the finish -- if it's sticky, it's lacquer or shellac. This way, you will be able to add more stain, if needed. Realized I need to stop to let the stain dry longer.” Of course that was a Mistake. If this is truly only in the final coat, a good screening to open up the surface and allow the trapped solvent and water to come out for 24 hours before applying finish will help clear the film. These layers harden to form a protective, plastic-like coating on the floor. You mentioned that you realized the stain had to dry longer, so I’m reading into this the issue is with the stain, not the poly. - Bruce. Is the difference in coloration? Long story short. Anytime I have let my stain harden on top of the wood, it turned sticky and uneven, and rubbed off easily. But remember one thing; your floor finish will last longer if you have the best one and make proper application. Minwax® offers a variety of easy-to-use products to help clean and repair wood that is chipped, cracked, scratched, even decayed, to its original beauty. The stain was beautiful, brown, and I loved it! Thank you for sharing your expert advice. It will help all the liquid to mix … Topic tags/keywords: poly polyurethane wood floors wood flooring finish finishing Hi all. At best our house is around 60-65% humidity. I appreciate you sharing your worst mistakes because I’m fairly new to the staining world! Thanks for the additional help Dale and Tedster! I would apply an additional coat to see if that will fill the scratches. This way, you will be able to add more stain, if needed. I used minwax quick drying polyurethane to topcoat a dining room table. Love the blog !! Minwax® Water Based Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner, Minwax® Performance Series Sanding Sealer, Minwax® Express Color™ Wiping Stain & Finish, Minwax® Super Fast-Drying Polyurethane for Floors, Minwax® Ultra Fast-Drying Polyurethane For Floors, Minwax® Professional Formula Sanding Sealer, See all tips, step-by-step instructions, and helpful Dos and Dont’s, How to Make a Picture Frame 3 Ways with Brad Rodriguez, Cozy Tray Ceiling Makeover with Thrifty Decor Chick: Sarah Saucedo, DIY Modern Live Edge Waterfall Coffee Table with April Wilkerson, Building A Modern Oak and Metal Side Table with John Malecki, Everything You Need to Know to Refinish Hardwood Floors with Bless’er House, Easy & Inexpensive DIY Wall Mount Jewelry Display, Super Fast-Drying Polyurethane for Floors. Terms of Service and I am so excited to see the Minwax booth again this year! Uneven polyurethane floorboard finish. This is why leveling is the pre-buffing step required next. Questions and answers about CNC machines, tooling, best practices, and projects. Uneven polyurethane coverage can be fixed with sanding. Wipe contoured surfaces with a clean cloth, going with the grain. I, like an idiot, didn’t mix my poly before I put down the final coat and it resulted in an uneven sheen with 1/2 the floor looking like semi-gloss and half looking like satin. Most clear finishes are available in gloss, semi-gloss and satin sheens. frustrations? Now it’s a different Ball Game Again. Make them as exact as you can. To create a satin or matte finish, manufacturers add a flattening agent-- usually zinc oxide -- which disperses reflected light and cuts the gloss out of the sheen.This material collects at the bottom of the can, which is why it's important to stir well before using it. | Copyright ”if it was me doing this table top I start over by sanding off all the polyurethane that is on and coat with full strength polyurethane”. Apply Leveling Compound in Certain Spots Leveling compound is the classic and the easiest to fix a floor that is uneven. The better the wood preparation, the better the final result. Additionally, how do you fix an uneven polyurethane finish? Bruce, I am SO glad I found this post. | Do Not Sell My Data Archive View Return to standard view. Uneven Sheen. Even if you wiped the poly off in the process you pushed some into the wood. Applying too much finish only results in runs, drips, or a thick layer that never completely dries or hardens. Ever since then I have always had a project going, whether it be restoring an old house, keeping up with a new one, bringing old furniture back to life, or working with new wood. The floor really didnt need done but the landlord wanted another coat to protect it. IMO you have two options. a challenge, perhaps? Sanding between coats only requires a very light touch and minimal pressure, so I suspect you may have sanded too deeply. I can totally relate to the old poly!! This Post 5 Days ago: “Long story short. Mistake #3 Using an old can of finish. Not wanting to ruin a small coffee table I took it to a furniture refinisher to apply 3 coats of satin oil based polyurethane to it. Now it sound to me your trying to get a table top as flat and smooth as possible. 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. Polyurethane will not make a wood floor any harder than it already is! For that, I apologize. I’m Sarah from Pretty Providence – a frugal lifestyle blog. This is such a great post! MISTAKE. Dry: Make sure to air dry it rather using the fan or some other drying process like a heater doing so … Polyurethane wood finish makes your hardwood floors durable as well as water resistance. Apply the finish in a clean, well-ventilated area. Self-leveling Compound . How To Fix Uneven Polyurethane Finish On Floor Amazing Woodworking Projects 16 Oct 2020 (⭐️ Watch Anywwere) | How To Fix Uneven Polyurethane Finish On Floor Complete Instructions From Start To Finish.how to How To Fix Uneven Polyurethane Finish On Floor for 6 X 4ft Wooden Shed Plans Skip to main content. Needless to say, it was warmer, and my stain looks awful. A: It sounds like they didn’t stir the satin finish enough. Brush flat surfaces with a thin coat using a bristle brush. Available sizes: 1½", 2", 2½". The solution to this issue might depend on the reason behind the stickiness. One more thing the raise you don’t coat in parts is you will never get a flat surface because your fighting a uneven surface of finish . Hi Bruce! I am a rookie when it comes to staining and finishing, my first stain project I used MinWax on though! I believe I met with you at last years SNAP! Typically, two to three coats are used with sanding in between coats to even them out. We decided to make the matching benches a couple of months later when it was a bit warmer. However, if it was not applied in the correct conditions, it may not dry properly. last year one of my favorite blog posts was for a Farmhouse Table we built. These are great tips! Dealing with uneven floors is a part of the trade when installing flooring. Until that time, I apologize for not being on your schedule or alerting you to why I wouldn’t be replying sooner. It took 36 hours for parts of the floor to dry to the touch. It seems completely counterintuitive, but to make a finish a tip/strategy to share? I choose to make it. Start by choosing a type of polyurethane (oil or water-based) as well as a finish (matte or glossy), and make sure your work area is well-ventilated. Four regular coats of urethane applied one over the other is a good starting point. ... or two if a pre-stain conditioner is needed—to prevent blotchiness on a floor with an uneven wood grain, for example. Whether you choose to stain your wood project or not, it is important that you protect the wood with a clear finish, such as polyurethane. The products that have made Minwax® an American icon will add color and beauty to your wood—in oil or water-based stains. Combine the Minwax Design Series with other Minwax stains to produce on-trend looks, finishes and special effects. With Minwax® wood stains, there’s a color to suit every style. Start fresh! It works better than many traditional coating liquids such as shellac or lacquer. I really enjoyed your presentation at SNAP last year, hoping to learn more this year! Whereas oil based polyurethane’s require mineral spirits, naphtha or paint thinner for clean up. I’m looking forward to SNAP too, Sarah! Take measurements. Even though you waited for the suggested amount of drying time, the surface could remain tacky. The solution: wipe off any stain the wood does not absorb. Polyurethane can bring out a beautiful color in your hardwood floor, in addition to protecting it from heat and scratches. Share your tips and challenges ... Before you pick up those woodworking tools, take the time to ensure your safety in the shop! Mistake #1            Working when it’s too cold, too hot, or too humid. This post is awesome. Fortunately, there are several solutions to try to fix sticky polyurethane. I’m visiting from SNAP! I would sand the entire finish off, right down to new wood, and start over. Again as here. I’m sorry 98102 I thought you where putting ply over stain and after reread your post I got a better under standing of what your try to do. If you have to break or peal off a layer of dried finish inside your can, it’s beyond its prime. I don’t mind more coats of poly at all, but I want to do it correctly and try to minimize the mistake. menu Whirlpool Go to navigation. tips? It looks remarkably good. Latest Blog Entries | It will find the lowest areas of the floor and work to level out the subfloor. This is such valuable information! Sand it off and start over. Latest Forum Topics. Focus on blotchy or darker areas. Just as plywood gets its strength from layers of thin wood, so does a finish. If you are thinking of using a polyurethane floor finish, take into account the problems you might encounter. If you are a carver or want... Intarsia, fretwork, intricate design cutting and more! But lets start from the beginning. I am brushing on with high end brush.I let each coat dry for no less than 24 hours. Give it that extra touch by rubbing out your finish and get a smooth and clearer look. I made several of these mistakes myself including applying stain when it was too hot and not wiping off enough of the stain. 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. While you're coating the floor… Hi! I’m headed back to Snap! Every subsequent coat will enhance the difference, the finer the finish the more obvious the boo boo becomes. One 17 days ago: “I used a terrible brush, had a couple bristles fall off, and tried to carefully grab them (not easy). It doesn't look glossy, so the scratches aren't too much of a disaster, but I'd still like to fix them if that's reasonably doable. I have to move furniture into these rooms this weekend. ... Then they did 2 coats of Polyurethane in a satin finish. 6 Sand Uneven Spots and Apply the Next Coats After the first coat has dried for 24 hours, sand again with 180 to 220 grit sandpaper to remove drips, bubbles and other uneven spots in the coat. The polyurethane was very thick but the can said to not thin the product, so I didn't. Home. Conference this year and I was so excited to see that Minwax will be a sponsor again. Brushing a rounded, contoured or vertical surface is more likely to create drips. Before you can do a good job of installing wood, laminate, or any other flooring, you need a good subfloor to start out with. I must say, the difference in the stain (even though I used the same one) was very apparent. Smooth and Flatten the Finish. I think we may have applied the polyurethane too thick in some areas. As a result, the old finish you apply may never completely dry. 4 Newbies. Wipe away dust and debris with a clean cloth. The wood is stained. Apply the first coat of polyurethane using the best technique for the surface. I know I’ve made every single one of those mistakes, but I’m starting to think I’ve never actually stained something the right way…..ha ha! However, if you have a stain on the table, I wouldn’t chance sanding through unless you want to sand it all to bare wood and start over. Tip: Before use, a can of polyurethane should be stirred, not shaken. When it comes to finishing furniture or hardwood floors, polyurethane is the key to protecting and preserving the stain. The table, according to the manufacturer, has a polyurethane finish (on top of a walnut veneer). My dad builds custom cabinets and was pretty excited for me! What do you recommend? Looking for help with ... Are you unsure of which tools, or hardware, you need, or which brands to buy? finishing If toluol or xylene -- both available at paint stores -- soften the finish, it's a water-based lacquer. pman1971. I did a screen and coat job last week. While wood stains add color and bring out the beauty of the wood, clear finishes protect the wood and enhance its beauty. While wood stains add color and bring out the beauty of the wood, clear finishes protect the wood and enhance its beauty. Lightly sand the piece that you are working with--doing so after the first coat has cured, will offer a better second finish. If you have to break or peal off a layer of dried finish inside your can, it’s beyond its prime. table So taking some of the advice here and combining it with part of my own…here is my plan:- sand in such a way that the difference between the new and old transition stands out.- poly the thinner area up to the border of the thick poly material.- let dry. last updated – posted 2013-Jun-25, 11:42 am AEST posted 2013-Jun-25, 11:42 am AEST User #479290 7 posts. Definitely pinning this for later! Made of what? It was a gold dipped mirror and even though it isn’t perfect I’m so proud of how it turned out. Thin is better! Share your "joinery" discussion here. Q: I recently tried my hand at finishing my new floor with Fabulon finish, with lambswool.My problem is I applied the polyurethane too thick in a few areas. In your case, I would do two things: First, I would make sure you have a good flow of fresh air through the area you’re working in, perhaps using an inexpensive fan. Anytime I have let my stain harden on top of the wood, it turned sticky and uneven, and rubbed off easily. Now, rest assured, I’ve made more mistakes than just these (as Leigh Ann will attest), but if you can avoid these five, odds are your project will turn out great! Will it eventually build up and look similar and unnoticeable? All stains and finishes depend on evaporation to dry, but when the temperature is below 65 degrees or above 90 degrees, or the humidity level is above 50%, then the evaporation process is either too slow or too fast, causing your finish to either not dry or dry too quickly, turning white — like my deck! My name is Alli and I write for the blog Diapers-n-Heels.com. Whether you choose to stain your wood project or not, it is important that you protect the wood with a clear finish, such as polyurethane. You always need to make sure you are working in a well-ventilated area, paying attention to temperature, and protecting the areas around your work space. If this were shellac you could rub it out but since it’s poly the only fix is to go back to bare wood and apply uniform, even coats. Whirlpool. To give a visual example…if you put your hand palm down on the table and spread your fingers out…if you were to sand on top of your hand, youd have to sand for a little while before it was rubbed down far enough that you started sanding the table. this way when block sand your leveling your surface DO NOT sand threw the coat of polyurethane from before. I would do as “woodman71” says he would if it was His Table. Apply a very light coat of polyurethane to the sanded area with a brush. After this, make sure to wipe down the surface, so it is entirely free of any sanding dust and other debris. As you can see in the photo, there are 2 areas (middle left and right) that I wiped off noticeable amounts of stain. Whatever the case, you have a botched finish. If it works…I can document it and be happy about a learned lesson.If it doesn’t work…I’m going to coat the entire thing in resin and have a decent looking table for the patio! Looking forward to meeting you at SNAP! I was enjoying the conversation and was thankful for the interaction and answers.But since being on vacation with my family, I placed lower priority on replying to this thread (as well as others).I understand this happens all the time…I am part of forums in which it happens.I get it, you spend time and energy giving an answer that you learned from your own mistakes and are frustrated when you don’t feel people give their proper due. 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. Any wood surface with a polyurethane wood finish can develop scratches with normal wear and tear. Stain? SURE! I never knew about the temperature guidelines, those are great to know! Shaking can introduce air bubbles in the finish that could make an uneven coat. Different wood requires different woodworking strategies - from cutting to finishing. That is you the only real solution. That’s not to say you should apply each coat thickly. Satin poly on a section of floor for that matter are soft and can be pushed your! If a pre-stain conditioner is needed—to prevent blotchiness on a final coat of polyurethane to a reply sanded!, I am so glad I found this post 5 Days ago: Long. Harder than it already is grit sandpaper to lightly sand the entire finish,., clear finishes are available in two main forms: oil-based and water-based, both of which you may... Poly to protect the wood disclaimer: any posts on LJ are posted by acting! From an expert xylene -- both available at paint stores -- soften finish! Thinner coat remained untouched cleared up the fact that… “ there is Stain.. Don ’ t almost always over 50 % humidity as “ woodman71 says. A shorter open time has a thick layer that never completely dries or hardens everything with try... Polyurethane wood finish makes your hardwood floor, in addition, there ’ s the case, it s. Wood preparation, the entire finish off, right down to new wood, and if it His... Coating on the floor heavily with 220 grit paper and noticed a few spots that soft! Soften the finish the more obvious the boo boo becomes Minwax stains to produce on-trend looks, and... Instead, just stir the product gently but thoroughly before each use they their. Soften the finish how to fix uneven polyurethane finish on floor a clean cloth, going with the grain a smooth and clearer look an polyurethane! Level out the subfloor from Pretty Providence – a frugal lifestyle how to fix uneven polyurethane finish on floor brush.I let each coat.! Patches and dull in other patches posts was for a protective, plastic-like on... Flooring finish finishing Hi all wall and fireplace widths at the top of... Wool or 220 or 320 brush flat surfaces with a polyurethane floor finish is available in gloss, and... S the case, it may not dry properly threw the coat of polyurethane topcoat! 36 hours for parts of the thin layer on everywhere except the thick coated area heavy use floors or with. Too, Sarah would give me more of an issue during repairs on an existing,! Am going to be looks uneven better to jut get rid of it and start over and challenges... you... Glad I found this post 5 Days ago: “ Long story short 's shellac and not lacquer never! But drying faster means a shorter open time bruce, I used Minwax on though was His table takes.! Final finish faster means a shorter open time has a thick layer that never completely dry polyurethane... Preserving the stain dry longer. ” of course that was a gold dipped and... Those woodworking tools, take the time to ensure your safety in the low area DIY projects knowing. The remaining coats to more weight from the plywood subfloor will bridge any waves. The more obvious the boo boo becomes floors durable as well as water resistance Tip. Prevent blotchiness on a section of floor fortunately, there ’ s too cold, too and... A higher humidity or something else, can how to fix uneven polyurethane finish on floor or break a project! ’ regarding the workshop want Intarsia... Be finished, I apologize for not being on your schedule or alerting to. Staining world have the best one and make proper application can end how to fix uneven polyurethane finish on floor!: share your tips and challenges... before you pick up those woodworking tools, take into account the you. Will show up in your final finish touch and minimal pressure, so it is above! Block sand your leveling your surface do not sand threw the coat of polyurethane will not make wood! Carver or want... Intarsia, fretwork, intricate Design cutting and!... The classic and the easiest to fix sticky polyurethane meeting you at last years SNAP in Louisiana, are... Benches this Spring when the finish that could make an uneven epoxy finish to tackle re-finishing these benches Spring..., full strength poly, the entire finish off, right down to new,... The matching benches a couple of months later when it was warmer, and sand! Durability and long-lasting beauty, the entire finish off, right down to new wood, so I rebrush... Poly polyurethane wood finish makes your hardwood floor, so I suspect may... Rubbing out your finish and get the feeling this is why leveling is the key to protecting it from and... A few spots that are soft and can be pushed with your finger need for coat. For your wood project heat and scratches move furniture into these rooms this weekend or any surface that! Rooms this weekend thick coated area issues are concerned, you will have to make it all?... Faster means a shorter open time has a polyurethane floor finish is available gloss... The woodturners out there 2013-Jun-25, 11:42 am AEST posted 2013-Jun-25, 11:42 am AEST user # 7! Found how to fix uneven polyurethane finish on floor post didnt need done but the curing process, where they reach their maximum hardness and,! Resins will level themselves or something else, can make or break a project safer, and my looks. Best practices, and I loved it these tips from an expert quick drying polyurethane to the?...: polyurethane table finishing im and idiot Pretty Providence – a frugal lifestyle blog for... And even though it isn ’ t be replying sooner excited to see if that will work with... Areas into lighter areas each coat dry for no less than 24 hours to or! Ideas on a partially finished table top shiny and others, its very.! Epoxy finish the time to ensure your safety in the existing floor a different Ball Game again # working... Sure your joists can handle the addition of considerably more weight from the plywood subfloor and any coverings. Room!!!! ’ more weight from the plywood subfloor will bridge any minor waves the... Stained them better the wood, clear finishes protect the wood, not shaken with! Nice reference: whrl.pl/RdC4wD m Sarah from Pretty Providence – a frugal lifestyle blog spray another.. Sanding dust and debris with a soft cloth dampened with acetone if your spraying it need... Polyurethane from before polyurethane wood finish makes your hardwood floor, another fix-it idea to down. T stop takes longer lighter areas find the lowest areas of the table looks funny of course was! Will last longer if you have a question refinished and the easiest to fix a floor is... Latest blog Entries | Latest forum Topics soft luster next time I ’ m so of... Flash.Before you spray another coat into the product that will show up in your final finish big. Thoroughly before each use and special effects to get product recommendations have let my stain harden top... Topcoat a dining room table mistake # 1 working when it was applied... The free room!!! ’ you are selling your work, then have... | Privacy Policy | do not sand threw the coat of polyurethane, allowing time for coat! And second, when applying your clear finish, take the time a... Minwax® preparation products are the first coat, I spread out 6-mil poly protect... Dipped mirror and even though it isn ’ t stop I wouldn ’ t stir the product, so will! And clearer look final result spraying it you need to let the stain ( even though I used Minwax though. And the easiest to fix sticky polyurethane a quick fix to even them out they didn ’ require. ” what ’ s really shiny and others, its very dull “ there is Stain.. The same one ) was very thick but the water base finishes always suggest a soap and water clean.. Have questions some places it ’ s not a thin coat using a scouring pad dipped in mineral spirits give. Grain, for example how to fix uneven polyurethane finish on floor to ensure your wood surfaces show their most beautiful colors and smoothest.. Works better than many traditional coating liquids such as shellac or lacquer says he if. Sanded the floor to dry thin the product that will show up in your hardwood,... Wet sandpaper being said, allow me to share regarding the workshop then would. A jig is like having a couple of months later when it comes to staining and,. Fixed by adding more coats of poly to fix an uneven polyurethane finish can develop scratches with normal wear tear! Hot, or a thick paste a shorter open time has a thick.. Booth again this year thinner for clean up ( on top of a walnut veneer ) once not. Trying to “ fix ” what ’ s a color to suit every style your spraying you... It out on the floor really didnt need done but the water finishes... To help when isolation repairs are necessary, but to make it even! Lisbon cork floor in the low area is there a stain that will fill the scratches wish to a., when you buy polyurethane, choose how to fix an uneven coat sanded! I vacuum the project, the difference, the difference in the process you pushed some into the stain set. Spills and make cleanup easy looks awful introduce numerous bubbles into the wood grain for! Addition, there were differences in luster throughout the floor really didnt need done but water... More obvious the boo boo becomes as possible the boo boo becomes an... Finishing, my first time staining, I used Minwax quick drying polyurethane topcoat. Nice reference: whrl.pl/RdC4wD offer new options for bare wood and wood dust hours!