Polyurethane on new unfinished wood cabinets?

Question

Like the natural color so don't really want to stain. Do you recommend against not staining first of all, and if we don't stain should we sand and condition first or just brush on the polyurethane? Or is there something else that would be better? what if one decides to stain darker years down the road, would some other sealer be better?

Answer 1

I've had years of experience using polyu for a variety of indoor and outdoor applications and can offer some helpfull advise.

If you've used poly before you know that its' application depends on the type of material being coated. In your case the unfinished wood requires a little more work. The first coat will be absorbed by the wood sealing it. It's best that you dilute the poly with mineral spirits for the first coat, let it dry completely then sand very lightly with a fine grit paper. Clean sanding residue off with a soft cloth and alcohol. After dry you can start your first coat, allow to dry completely then buff lightly with 00 steel wool. Clean with alcohol, let dry and apply 2nd coat. Repeat for the desired # of coats. The more coats the better it'll look but as you increase the number of coats you'll start to change the appearance of the wood.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

Sand to a perfect finish, ending up with 700 grit. Use a tack rag to remove all dust. Seal wood with either diluted polyurethane or with a good wood sealer designed for polyurethane. Once dry, lightly sand to remove any dust that got into sealer, use 700 grit sand paper and be very careful NOT to go though sealer at edges of wood..easy to do. Wipe down all dust with tack rag and apply thin coat of finish, allow to dry, again sand lightly with 700 grit, then apply another coat...repeat until finish desired. Do not use steel wool inbetween coatings! Steel wool can leave little pieces of steel embedding in finish and cause a pimple in the next coat. Good luck

Answer 4

Number one, you should use a high gloss polyurethane for desired shine, semi gloss is more of a mate finish. Second, you can sand the down to the woods natural color. After wards you need to apply the stain evenly using cheese clothe. Not all stains are created equally. the same brand in one can can be different from the first. I prefer to buy enough stain for the entire job. One of the best stains I have ever used, is tea and coffee. natural and you can drink the left overs.

Answer 5

Want you like to get instant access to over 16,000 woodworking plans?
Check it out https://tr.im/6834b
Along with stone, mud and animal parts, wood was one of the first materials worked by early humans. Microwear analysis of the Mousterian stone tools used by the Neanderthals show that many were used to work wood. The development of civilization was closely tied to the development of increasingly greater degrees of skill in working these materials.

Answer 6

2

Answer 7

Check the site: https://tr.im/yV732


Another thing which is so great about these woodworking plans is that there have been some videos included and there are some to guide you in how to build benches home furniture dog houses bird feeders sheds and much much more.

Answer 8

You should sand and then apply the poly. You should know that the wood will darken slightly even without the application of stain. It is a minimal amount, but be aware.

Answer 9

you definately need to seal the wood with something in order to preserve its integrity. If you decide to stain them later, you can simply sand off the sealer and then stain and reseal.

Answer 10

Richard Reynolds and Dave Hopkins asked the same question. You should see their answers side by side.