Should i sand between coats of polyurethane

Sand the dried and cured first coat of polyurethane no sooner than 24 hours after applying it. Use a very fine-grit abrasive, sanding with the grain of the wood.

Remove the sanding dust first with a static duster, followed by a tack cloth. Apply two to three additional coats of full-strength polyurethane, sanding between each coat. When applying polyurethane, brush along the grain, stretching the polyurethane into as thin a coat as possible.

Always allow polyurethane to dry 24 to 48 hours before sanding, to give the surface time to cure and harden. Do not sand the last coat of polyurethane varnish.

Allow it to harden and then apply paste wax or another protective furniture wax product. We did not sand between coats when we applied polyurethane to our floating fireplace mantel. The main reason the polyurethane directions tell you to sand between coats is to buff out any drip marks or brushstrokes before you apply a second or third coat.

But my secret to avoiding brushstrokes in my polyurethane is to use a foam brush. Also, oil-based polyurethane does a better job of leveling out brushstrokes than water-based because it dries slower so it has more time to level out. Even with only two coats of polyurethane, the finish was amazingly smooth to the touch and had no imperfections when I sanded between coats. And when the third coat was added, the wood project was smooth and durable.

So my stance is this: If you have drip marks or brushstrokes, then a light sanding will help even out the finish and create a smooth project. Here are some other frequently asked questions about applying polyurethane to help you get the perfect finish on your wood projects! Use grit sandpaper or higher to sand polyurethane. Sanding polyurethane with the finest sandpaper removes bumps, brushstrokes, or any unevenness in the polyurethane while leaving a smooth, perfect finish.

So I ran a test to see what would happen! During this experiment, I also tested whether you should sand the final coat of polyurethane or not. The answer is pretty clear:. It is recommended to avoid sanding the final coat of polyurethane.

Sanding the final coat scratches the surface and leaves behind a cloudy appearance. Only sand between coats of polyurethane to achieve a smooth finish and skip sanding the final coat. Use either rough sandpaper or steel wool to get the job done. To get started on your project, you will want to put the first layer of polyurethane and thin it with paint thinner.

The thinner allows the finish to dry faster so you can get to sanding faster. Wait until the wood is dried and cured to sand, which takes about a full day. Start with very fine grit and sand with the grain of the wood. Remove the dust before adding another layer. Depending on the level of shine and protection you want, you will add between one to three additional coats of full-strength polyurethane. If you are sure the layers are even, you can sand very lightly or skip completely.

Make sure to allow each layer to dry and to apply as thin a coat as possible to avoid leveling issues. Wait one to two full days to allow the thin layers to cure and harden. For the final coat, you do not need to sand the polyurethane.

Simply allow it to harden, and then you can apply a paste wax or protective wax to finish off the job. But the wax into the wood with a soft dry cloth and wait half an hour for it to set and buff for a beautiful shine. Reapply every 6 to 12 months.

You can also use wipe-on poly if you prefer and then use the finest grit sandpaper for a smooth finish.