How to Apply Water Based Polyurethane Topcoat
by
Jenni Ingram
2 Materials
$20
2 Hours
Easy
I'm asked these topcoat questions all the time. When should I use a topcoat? Should I sand between coats? So I thought I'd share my list of 5 things you need to know about top coats.
#1 - You need a topcoat for two reasons:
- To increase the durability
- To increase the shine
#2 - The kind of brush you use is REALLY important. My favorite brush is the Purdy XL cub. I use it on paint, topcoats, and just about everything. For topcoats use the nicest brush you have. Use one that has soft and clean bristles because crappy brushes may have some dried paint that will get in your clear topcoat.
#3 - My fav topcoat is GF High Performance in the flat finish. I find it's good at self-leveling and doesn't show brush strokes. I love the sheen also. Not too shiny, not too flat. It's also extremely durable. I use it on everything.
#4 - Application is extremely important. The biggest mistake when using a topcoat is NOT applying enough. Don't skimp. Dip the brush in and let it drip on your wood, then smooth it around. That produces a nice layer. Always apply in the direction of the grain.
#5 - Sand. Using a light touch, more like buffing so you don't go through the stain, sand with a 400 grit sandpaper. Always sand in the direction of the grain. Run your hand over to check the smoothness.
- Wipe the sand dust off. Now apply another topcoat layer as before. This method will give you a nice consistent finish. Let it all dry and now you have a gorgeous piece of wood.
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Hope you picked up some useful tips. If you'd like to learn more about furniture painting or other home projects, connect with me on Facebook @rootsandwingsfurniture. You can also catch all my video tutorials here on YouTube.
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Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?
I have a marble table and the poly finish is chipping off
What kind of polyurethane can I use to recover it is a lite color with white gray and a strip of brown in it