how do you apply oil bases polyeurathene. and keep the bubbles out. I use a china bristle brush but still get?

Question

What is the best way to apply polyurathene to hardwoods,?

Answer 1

I have used the old style polyeurathene on trim work as well as furniture I have done over to the point it showed my reflection in it well enough to see my eye lashes.

First , Do NOT shake or stir the contents of the can to put bubbles in it. Although I have used hair style brushes many times with great success. I am leaning towards the foam rubber type brushes now days for most people.. As with painting it is in the stroke that you make to how the finish will look. Make a easy and light handed stroke. Like leading an orchestra in a soft part of a song. Flow soft and easy and keep it going.

The big thing with the old style is to only brush one direction. NOT BACK AND FORTH. It is the back and forth motion that puts more bubbles into your work. Lightly sand in between coats.
They say to put on 3 coats. When you put more then that is when you start to get that deep rich look. The deep transparent look.

Answer 2

Do not stir the poly or shake the can. Apply it a little more sparingly then paint. Make long strokes on the wood. Do not dab iton the wood. It will look like it is a mess when wet but will smooth out after it's dry. Use 2 thin coats instead of 1 thick one. Do not flop the brush back and forth real fast. That's what causes the bubbles.

Answer 3

Check on the container for thinning the paint as most use a paint thinner or mineral oil. Applying two thinner coats reduces drying time and you get a much smoother finish. Major problem with this is matching different batches perfectly. Also as suggested before, using a sponge brush is a good way of applying lacquers and finishes to furniture so it obviously would work for oil based paints. Better to use thin coats of paint with long brush strokes.

Answer 4

When opening a new can, you have to stir it in such a way as to not create the bubbles in the first place. These tiny bubbles are picked up by the brush and transfered to the surface.
Try letting it sit overnight, so the bubbles will float out.
Try brushing any bubbles already on the surface with your brush lightly dipped in thinner.

Answer 5

Try thinning the polyurethane. It seems that you have allowed it to partially dry before you applied it. Hence, the air bubbles. Only sprend in even coats, and use it as a sealer. Only use in small areas at a time. The longer the bulk of it is exposed, the more air can imbue the laquer. But also remember to have plenty of ventilation. The fumes can sicken you. Bud, its a science. Usually my the third or fourth time that you use it, you will have down to a tea.

Answer 6

I use a sponge brush or a china bristle brush. After you smooth it out all the bubbles will disappear. Also don't shake the can, stir it.

Answer 7

This is what we did. In cooking you fold the product, move in an up and around , down and around. Fold from the top around to the bottom and around again.

I put it on with a soft sponge roller and then brushed with a wide soft sponge brush, back and forth barely touching the floor and...very carefully only very thin coats or it'll whiten.

Answer 8

As Big Jack mentioned, old timers[ and flooring pros today] use a sheepskin or another term for it, lambs wool pad to apply finish to floors. All the answers above are correct. I would focus on thin coats. 3 or 4 thin are always bettor than 2 or 3 thick..

Answer 9

there r many ways to avoid bubbles all responces are correct. personally i use a "wipe on finish" polly. its in a differant can and is a little thinner then regular poly. its made by minwax and u just wipe it on with a cotton cloth. turns out very nice!!

Answer 10

The old timers who did hard wood floors used sheep skin . make sure and brush with the grain