i sanded table then scorched with a torch to darken the grain, buffed down and applied one coat of stain. Applied two coats of poly and got desired results. Applied with fine brush, but now the table is very rough
2007-12-22 02:39:38 · 6 answers · asked by Aaron S 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
Did you put a penetrating sealer on? And did you steel-wool between the coats of poly?
Is the surface rough as in 'ridges & valleys' from brush strokes? Or is it bumpy like the ends of the wood grain have lifted?
If it is ridges & valleys, it could be brush strokes - but if that's the case, you're brushing it out too much. It should self level rather quickly.
I'd suspect it is the 2nd and is caused by the first coat of poly caused the ends of the grain to lift. You don't need to apply a lot of pressure in between coats, but using a very fine steel wool (000), remove the gloss & bumps from the surface & apply a 3rd coat.
Typically, I steel wool between each coat & apply a minimum of three coats to get the richness I want. Your situation may be different. Hope this has helped.
Best of luck!
2007-12-22 02:59:25 · answer #1 · answered by David M 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
As it has been said above, it can be several things causing the roughness, but I would suggest at this point to use a wet/dry sandpaper (about 100 grit) with warm soapy water across the table. Use very light pressure just to remove the top coating. Make sure to wipe it off with a clean damp cloth. Dont try to get it perfectly smooth at this stage. Start with another coat of poly and use 0000 steel wool now when that dries. You may need to add two or three coats of poly to make it smooth as glass. If you have raised the wood grain from earlier, you cant do anything for that unless you want to start completely over again, but you can get a nice smooth finish. For future projects, wet sand or use 0000 steel wool between coats just to smooth as you go. This is definetely "fixable". Dont get discouraged and good luck.
2007-12-22 03:29:08 · answer #2 · answered by Nightrider 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
A good scrubbing with steel wool between coats helps two ways. It removes those tiny bubbles and give the second coat a good bonding surface.
Dust is usually a common reason for rough surfaces too. After using the steel wool it is a good practice to use a tack cloth to pick up the remaining particles of dust and apply the second coat of polyurethane a little heavier than the first coat.
2007-12-22 03:04:12 · answer #3 · answered by ☮ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ☮ 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Did you use a waterborne poly or stain? If this is the case, it will raise the grain and two coats won't be enough to cover the raised portions. As Charlie stated, NO steel wool. 320 sandpaper or some worn 220 is enough to knock down the grain or sand between coats.
2007-12-22 05:20:59 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Did you fine sand down after first coat to make sure of smooth finish coat also make sure there is no fine dust on surface before final coat.
2007-12-22 02:49:39 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Some good answers above me.
Use bronze wool before you use steel wool...no rust spots.
2007-12-22 04:52:27 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋