Polyurethane Varnish Tips for Wood Finishes
Working with do-it-yourself projects is a creative and satisfying way of expressing oneself. Wood projects, especially, call for a few even coats of polyurethane varnish to finish them off in a way that's attractive and eye-catching. A few things need to be prepared before applying polyurethane varnish as a wood finish to ensure dust and insects don't ruin your hard work. Read on for tips to make your wood projects stand out in the crowd.
- Difficulty:
- Moderate
Instructions
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1
Wet-mop the room you intend to work in before applying varnish. This will reduce the dust kicked up by merely walking and shuffling your feet. Cold, damp rainy days are not ideal weather conditions to work in and will prolong the drying time of your polyurethane varnished wood items.
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2
Apply three coats of polyurethane varnish with a brush, roller or airless sprayer to your wood product. Polyurethane is made to dry quickly; however, ensure you apply the varnish in a dust-free atmosphere where pedestrian traffic is at a minimum and chores such as dusting and vacuuming are left until after the three coats of polyurethane varnish are completely dry. If not, you will ruin the finish and end up with a dull shine that is not pleasing to the eye.
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3
Watch for drips and runs that could ruin the finish of your wood product. Do not overload your brush if using one to apply the polyurethane varnish. Spray in even layers in a smooth side-to-side motion, coating evenly. If using a roller to apply the polyurethane varnish; load it sparingly as the lamb's wool or foam roller absorbs the varnish and the excess may end up runner from the sides of the roller and down your arm.
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4
Work at an ideal temperature of 70 degrees. At this temperature the varnish dries perfectly. At higher temperatures, the polyurethane will dry too quickly, making you work too fast for comfort; at cooler temperatures, the varnish will dry too slowly and collect dust as it dries.
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5
Dry your polyurethane varnished wood items flat if possible to prevent runs and drips due to the force of gravity. Keep an eye on wooden varnished objects that are impossible to lay flat and take any necessary action to prevent runs.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Work on a sunny day in plenty of daylight.
Always ensure adequate ventilation is circulating around the room in which you're working. Wear a respirator for safety and protection against harmful fumes; always use a fresh cartridge.
