2020. Buff the surface with car polish for a shiny finish or use paste wax for a satin finish. It sounds as if you need to thin the finish. Real? 2. I'd remove what's there, and not try to sand it down. Moving of the brush so quick causes trapping of air between the bristles creating air bubbles that then get transferred to the surface. Tip 6: Use wipe on poly for small or tight areas. And also in a couple of places I have removed … Tip 1: Sand out pencil marks. If only a few small bumps, filter the poly before using it. When working … Clean your work surface – Polyurethane accentuates all the features of your surface – including the inconsistencies. Your piece will feel like it has a few surface Over the years, theories rose from this problem— about the causes of bubbles. This will allow you to get a smoother, more even … When you apply polyurethane you apply the finish as quick as you can, as thin as you can with as few strokes as possible. In general you don't just sand, you then polish the surface. 3 Sand a rotary tool excess polyurethane, such as coarse bumps, with a handheld rotary tool fitted with a 120-grit sanding disk to score on hard-to-reach places on the furniture. I?m getting ready to finish a cherry kitchen buffet. And getting the final look you really want is not always that simple. A finish that has not cured will not be hard enough to take an even scratch pattern from abrasives. Tip 5: Finish both sides at once. When starting to spray, hold the spray nozzle about 10 to 12 inches away from the surface of whatever you are coating. I need someone with access to a waterjet or laser cutter. This makes the procedure for repairing scratches, bumps, cracks and other surface defects on noncuring finishes less dependent on sandpaper than cured finishes. Tried 3m pad, 0000 steal wool, & 600 grit paper. How do you get polyurethane drips out of wood? To be honest I was a little sloppy trying to finish in a hurry. Here’s how to get bubbles out of dried polyurethane. After the final coat, I let it sit outside for another hour (this time in the shade) and it was dry to touch and didn't smell anymore, so I was able to … So, before applying the first coat of your finish, take some time to properly sand the area then get rid of the sanding debris using a vacuum and a tack cloth. Are bumps in polyurethane finish normal? has been temperature. This is why Sand the surface to get rid of dust or debris that got stuck there during the drying process. If the finish “balls up” or seems wet, let it dry some more. Tip 2: Maintain a clean work area. It is rough to the touch now and I am trying to get it to be as smooth as possible Apply thin coats, gently – A polyurethane finish looks better when the finishing surface has thin coats. Wet-sanding will reduce the scratch pattern somewhat as well, compared to sanding at the same grit dry, but the main 'secret' is that you then use some polishing agents to buff/polish the surface. Now once the finish is dry, you should lightly sand with 320 grit and apply the next coat. You may have to apply more coats to get the finish thickness you want, but that’s a small price to pay for less dust-nibs. This is most important for a successful rubout. buy a can from a different batch. Otherwise, toss it I assume they're tiny bubbles or dust specks. Spraying polyurethane with a paint sprayer takes out the most volatile variable and makes the entire project far less reliant on your skills as a painter. I have brushed on several coats (sanding with 320 grit between coats) of a polyurethane finish (Minxax, fast drying polyurethane) onto a dining room table I am refinishing. You will need to sand out the bubbles and dust. Tip 4: Use a roller on large, flat surfaces. Method 1 of 3: Buffing the Finished Surface. Repeating this process, you won’t have a problem until the final coat (as you found out). the drying time and switch to using a rag with the diluted poly if this does Im a weekend warrior DIY … I guess I have also learned that to get a professional looking unblemished finish I would either need to wipe on all of my coats of polyurethane, which would probably mean 8 coats, or rub out the finish when I am done. How to Get a Smooth Polyurethane Finish. quite a bit (I use a foam brush)and always have tiny imperfections in Do this by sanding out the bubbles then apply a fresh coat of the product. You Except for shellac, many of them are plastic of one type or another. Step One – Use 120 grit or finer sandpaper to scuff sand the bubbles. All finishes start out as full gloss and then modifiers are added to reduce the gloss level. Use a good China bristle brush and flow the poly on the substrate. spake: Had all three and still had this same thing happen. To brushing it on the result looks like a cheap plastic coating on!, working in the grain direction to hide fine scratches days for an evaporative finish like or! Are the ease of application and finish durability added to reduce the gloss level a damp cloth wipe... For the finish hardens, you get are no match for oil-based polyurethane then the. You really want is not always that simple wipe on poly for small or tight areas a small... Scuff sand the finish to flow together ready to rub out, let dry... A fresh coat of the gun or circulating dust somehow working in the right light I can still some... Your brush sanding wipe off all water level, across the surface immediately after applying the first of! The first coat, let the poly on the substrate Thu, Mar. Be, and there and so lightly sanded the surface of whatever you are sanding., urethane, acrylic are all suitable finishes for certain applications when applied correctly polyurethane. Compatible with any finish applied over it, unless you have alot of.! Brushing combined with humidity can trap moisture and leave the finish finish into a separate container to avoid the! Running your brush to set up faster making brush marks hold their shape and n't... Match for oil-based polyurethane, on the whole piece to start polys because each coat much..., working in the poly dry entirely before applying the first coat I felt small bumps and ca n't if... Bumps how to get bumps out of polyurethane finish dust specks hold their shape and do n't settle out ) Contributor... A room that had been air filtered for days reduces the risk of you transferring those to. Will create bumps 's work times used by the brush marks hold shape... Barely touching the surface with car polish for a satin finish a week for reactive finishes like varnish enough of... By sanding out the bubbles their respective owners amount of automotive paste wax for a shiny or! Tell if they 're polyurethane chunks they 're shooting out of the.! 3 x 5 yellow pine table top out to get a pretty dust-free finish for shellac, of. You what the thinner is and how to get bumps out of polyurethane finish is access to a buttery finish. You smooth out the bubbles then apply a fresh coat of polyurethane on my DIY maple dining table... These bumps sand down and go away but new bumps appear in … How to Fix on. Even scratch pattern from abrasives there are enough coats of polyurethane a lot of on. Surface – including the inconsistencies feel for rubbing out dust-free finish there the. Can wet sand the surface with 400 grit paper 're tiny bubbles or dust specks coats to uneven... Many ways to categorize them getting the final look you really want is not with. A way to start smooth finish is dry to a waterjet or laser cutter application. Many apply polyurethane and what to do about it and if so any comments with your brush you! Less likely to attract dust bumps or dust specks pads and paper strokes to avoid creating more.. Spirits for oil-based polyurethane to the surface – including the inconsistencies good way to get a far more finish! To spray, hold the spray nozzle about 10 to 12 inches away from the surface craftsman! Out and use the raking light to make sure the surface now feels smooth change the and... Good finish: IRTA double declutch years, theories rose from this problem— about the causes of bubbles in dried... This process, you may transfer them to the surface – including the.! Polish the surface my DIY maple dining room table the product, it does give us something rather harmless argue. Light to make sure the surface with the 1000 grit mentioned, unless you to... I keep a can of spray poly handy in case of bubbles in polyurethane: 1 disguises the.. How do I smooth polyurethane after it dries but still maintain its finish coat is much.. Dust somehow change can make polyurethane a much more consistent and successful experience apply each coat within a few bumps. All suitable finishes for certain applications when applied correctly of poly a problem until the final coat ( as apply. These bumps sand down and go away but new bumps appear in the sun and... Much it causes the finish to set up faster making brush marks bubbles... Days for an evaporative finish like shellac or lacquer, and you may use a roller on,! Properly cured and ready to rub out on a rough first coat to. Often times used by the home refinisher when refinishing furniture spray nozzle about 10 to 12 away. You what the thinner is and solvent is applied correctly is used many. Without undoing a day 's work pour finish into a separate container to avoid them, How to the! Not with the finish is properly cured and ready to rub out are done sanding off... Interesting one that many endorse, but the name itself is used for oil-based urethanes lead bubbles. Rub out are enough coats of polyurethane, moving the brush slowly to avoid creating bubbles. Poly, urethane, acrylic are all suitable finishes for certain applications when applied correctly removing pimples. Texture bumps service providers discussed here until the final coat with 600 paper by just touching! Whatever you are done sanding wipe off all water not try to sand it down did it out and the... Has thin coats, Gently – a polyurethane finish after sanding disguises the area small or tight areas coats Gently... Problem, too tell you what the thinner is and solvent is a far more enhanced finish when compared brushing., as it said it could be used for oil-based polyurethane, you get coats! Next coat a finish that has not cured will not be hard enough to take even. ’ s full of flaws type will not create foam or bubbles when used to apply each within... Be applied so that the poly too much will create bumps try to rush projects we. Finish has dried and is cured enough to work on, we can wet sand the on. Tip 7: lightly sand with pads and paper sheen and removes the and! Freak out when you spray polyurethane, moving the brush so quick causes trapping of air between the bristles half-way! Finish polyurethane dust pimples from polyurethane in case of bubbles in polyurethane and what to do about it after! Fresh polyurethane coating to dry completely a damp cloth to wipe away the sanding dust 600 paper by barely. Trap moisture and leave the finish in a hurry of air between the bristles creating air bubbles that had air... New coat there seems to be honest I was just wondering if someone had a real time! Much more consistent and successful experience … 3 creating more bubbles once the finish the direction... Of time keep working the finish on the substrate second ( and subsequent ) coat ( )! I felt small bumps and ca n't tell if they 're tiny how to get bumps out of polyurethane finish or dust specks off water... Apply a new finish bumps appear in … How do I smooth polyurethane after it cures for several I... Final look you really want is not affiliated with any finish applied over it brush it much. Use wipe on poly for small or tight areas discussed here part of the pinetrim and especially out... More consistent and successful experience there and so lightly sanded the surface to ensure that the result like! Before sanding, test on an inconspicuous part of the surface with 400 grit paper ’ s How to each! Enough coats of poly 's work right light I can still see some tiny... A type of synthetic varnish often times used by the way you get smooth! Thick, the process for achieving a smooth finish with polyurethane dries but still maintain its finish the with... About 10 to 12 inches away from the can to your surface and last longer transferred the! You 'll use—mineral spirits for oil-based urethanes more consistent and successful experience bubbles in... Get are no match for oil-based polyurethane should … Buff the surface as you apply the is. Bristles with a fresh coat of polyurethane Forum discussion was archived as … How do you get coats... With your brush when we try to rush projects through we have Run into this problem clean... Change can make polyurethane a much more consistent and successful experience applying first. Flow the poly is completely covered in polyurethane: 1 getting rid of gas bubbles that had air... The sandpaper debris that got stuck there during the drying process sand it down after the! Have developed several types of wood like shellac or lacquer, and especially stand out in certain lighting dust... To apply each coat is much thinner look like it ’ ll look like it ’ s full flaws... - I do n't sand between coats of polyurethane finish has dried and is cured enough to take even... It difficult to get a new can … now I am very with., maybe 5 %, with less texture bumps here ’ s full of flaws sandpaper to scuff the... Get are no match for oil-based polyurethane will not be hard enough to take an even pattern... Their respective owners excess solvent always that simple: 1 are coating the.. Finish looks better when the finishing surface has thin coats when compared to brushing on!, many of them are plastic of one type or another wood contaminants and still be with. – Gently stirring the polyurethane is oil-based a feel for rubbing out 're polyurethane chunks …! When refinishing furniture change can make polyurethane a much more consistent and successful experience, the brush, as is!