Can somebody tell me why is it like this?
by
Monika O
+9
My husband stripped the lower bottom of the post, put 2 coat of stains on (4-6 hours apart) and next day he put on the polyurathane (oil based) on and this is what it looks like. Why is it so bumpy?
12 answers
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Is it blistered? It sort of looks like there was grit on the brush or on the step when it was coated with the poly?? How strange? Is it all over the stairs or just on this bit?
Carole
on Mar 29, 2015
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I have 2 guesses. It could be either dust particles that settled on the surface before the oil based products had a chance to cure, or possibly air bubbles in the products. I have not worked with stain or poly too much but as I recall, you are suppose to stir, not shake, cans of stain and poly. Shaking the cans can cause air bubbles in the finish that won't level out.
Shari
on Mar 29, 2015
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Most likely it's a combination of dust particles and air bubbles in the polyurethane. Bubbles have no bearing on stain because after the stain is applied is is wiped off. I notice there are finished floors at the bottom and surrounding the stairs, but are the stairs carpeted? If so, that may be your "dust" producer. Perhaps the stairs were walked up and down several times as the finish was drying, which allowed tiny dust particles to land upon the wet poly. Unfortunately, what you will probably do is to remove the damaged poly and redo it.
Swan Road Designs
on Mar 29, 2015
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we tried to refinish a coffee table, and ended with a bubbled surface all over it. We were told it is caused from silicone in spray polish. Called fish eye bubbles. It looked great until the poly went on!
Carol
on Mar 29, 2015
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There isn't carpet on the stairs since we are in the process of putting wood on there as well. Right now basically it is only cove red with paper. It did look good until we put the poly on.
Monika O
on Mar 29, 2015
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dirty brushes can do that too...recommendation...steel wool buff the poly, keep damp wiping to see your results, and change steel wool often, sometimes alternating in mesh type (00 vs. 0000) - then reapply thin coat of poly.
Shell Wilson
on Mar 30, 2015
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and if all else fails, strip and start again!
Shell Wilson
on Mar 30, 2015
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Well, we stripped it down and start all over again. The thing is we stained all our stairs and it was just fine. Thank for the help.
Monika O
on Mar 30, 2015
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Only stir varnish. Do not shake.
Nancy Grossman
on Mar 31, 2015
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@Monika O - use tack cloth (repeatedly - like 3-4 times) prior to your poly coat and use 0000 steel wool for a slight buff between first and second coat of poly. (Do you know if the wood types are different - between stairs and post framing?)
Shell Wilson
on Mar 31, 2015
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My guess would be air bubbles. People tend to pick up a can and shake it vigorously to mix it....but that is the wrong thing to do. They should be stirred until thoroughly mixed.
Leslie Long
on Mar 31, 2015
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Before I stain, I wash off the surface with mineral spirits/paint thinner to remove stripping residue, wipe with a tack cloth, and let dry. I let the first coat of stain dry well before applying second. Then I apply the poly. Shake and stir the stain, but just stir the poly. Have never had bubbles. Assume you are using oil-based stain and oil-based poly? If your stain is water-based, this can cause problems.
Marion Nesbitt
on Apr 01, 2015
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