Things You'll Need:
- Safety goggles
- Oil-based polyurethane
- Stir stick
- Foam paintbrush
- Fine sandpaper
- Clean, soft, damp cloth
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Step 1
Take your wood project and the items you need to a well-ventilated, well-lit area. An open garage or a covered deck may be an ideal place as long if there is no dust, dirt or bugs. Put on your safety goggles and open the polyurethane container. Then, stir it with the stick. Don't shake the can to mix it because shaking creates air bubbles that will end up in the finish.
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Step 2
Brush the oil-based polyurethane on the project in the direction of the wood grain. Use long, smooth strokes with the foam paintbrush. Apply the polyurethane evenly. Once you've covered all the wood, allow the polyurethane to dry completely. (Read the directions on the container to find out how long that will take.)
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Step 3
Sand the wood project in the direction of the wood grain; sand it lightly so you don't go down to the original finish. Wipe off the sanding dust with a soft, damp cloth.
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Step 4
Apply an additional 2 or 3 coats of polyurethane to the finished wood project, repeating the above steps.
