What Is the Fastest Way to Apply Polycrylic to Prevent Air Bubbles?

Polycrylic is a fast drying finish you can put on bare or stained woods, paints and wallpaper. The finish is made by Minwax and suitable for furniture, cabinets, boats, doors, trim and almost any wood surface. One common problem when applying polycrylic is bubbling. You can prevent this by following a few techniques.

You must stir the polycrylic thoroughly before applying. Make sure that when you do stir the polycrylic, it does not have bubbles in the container. Those bubbles can transfer to the wood. Keep stirring the polycrylic while it is in the container until you do not see any bubbles.

Use a synthetic brush rather than a bristle brush to apply the finish. Once you have placed the first coat onto the wood, run the synthetic brush down the finish in one direction. Run the synthetic brush from one end of the wood to the other, then start over until any bubbles have been removed.

Another fast way to apply polycrylic without creating bubbles is to use cloth to apply the finish. Pour some polycrylic on a piece of soft cloth and apply the finish. Use circular motions when putting on the first coat. Once the first coat is applied, run the cloth down the face of the wood in one direction, just like you would with a synthetic brush.

One way to apply the polycrylic quickly and without bubbles is to use the spray-on type. Make sure you keep the spray can moving or you will apply too much polycrylic in one place and create bubbles. Engage the spray nozzle along the side of the wood and not over top the face of the wood. Move the spray polycrylic across the face of the wood at an even pace.