Polyurethane is a product that is applied to wood floors in order to seal their surface, protect them from stains and spills and make the floor resistant to damage. It is a waterproof substance that is made from polyethylene. When it dries, it creates a very hard and durable material that will protect your floor from damage.
You know that why you want to apply polyurethane. Because it’s durable, beautiful look and you have this thing in mind to re-finish some furniture pieces and wooden floor, or even your bedroom with laminate wood . Because the polyurethane is easy to apply since you just have to follow these instructions in order for your hardwood floor, laminate wood, or even your wooden furniture going to look great and more beautiful. This article provides a detailed step-by-step instruction on how to applying polyurethane finish correctly and safely
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Types Of Polyurethane
Using Polyurethane for your hardwood floors or wooden furniture is a very good idea. It provides a more durable and beautiful finish as compared to other types of finishes like varnish, oil or wax. You need to know which type Polyurethane is best for you, and here we discuss two types of Polyurethane this are:
1. Oil-Based Polyurethane
This type of polyurethane is very popular, just because it provides a natural look and easy to apply. But despite the fact that many people like this type, you always have to apply it in well-ventilated area. Oil-Based Polyurethane are a better option for you, if you need a traditional finish that is durable and wipe clean. It made of natural ingredients that are not harmful to health and environment compared to other types of polyurethane.
2. Water-Based Polyurethane
Water-based polyurethanes an Eco- friendly type of polyurethane, which is made from natural ingredients that are not harmful to you and your environment. Despite the fact that it’s Eco-friendly, water-based polyurethane is more difficult to apply because you have to stir it for at least 15 minutes in order to avoid bubbles on your finish.
Which Is Better Oil-Based or Water-Based Polyurethane?
It largely depends on your project and preference whether to use water-based or oil-based polyurethane. If you’re doing a large project that requires more than one coat of polyurethane, then water-based is better since it will save you money since you don’t have to buy thinner and spend more time stirring. But if you’re applying polyurethane on a smaller project, then oil- based is better. Oil-based polyurethane provides a more durable, water resistant and wipe clean finish.
Many people prefer water-based polyurethane because it’s Eco-friendly and made from natural ingredients that are not harmful to your health. But there are many downsides to the product with one of them the fact that it is harder to apply. If you don’t stir the product properly, it’s recipe will be ruined and you will have to start all over again.
Tips for Applying Polyurethane
For a more professional-looking finish, you need to follow these tips when applying polyurethane.
Clean Your Floor First– Before using polyurethane, you have to make sure your floor is clean and free of any debris. A few minutes of hard work on a vacuum will save you hours of scrubbing.
Sand your Floor: To create a smooth surface and ensure a durable finish, sand the wooden floor using fine-grit sandpaper.
Squeegee: Because polyurethane is very sticky and dries quickly, you need to apply it with a squeegee. This ensures that your floor doesn’t have any bubbles or drips of polyurethane. You can also use a paint roller or paintbrush but avoid the roller since it will leave marks on the floor’s surface.
Maintain Health: If you are applying polyurethane in a small area, then you can use an old brush to apply your polyurethane. If you’re using a brush, just make sure that it’s clean so that no dust particles will be mixed with your finish.
Cleaning Up: To clean up after you’re done, use a wet rag to wipe the polyurethane brush. A thinner or mineral spirits may damage the polyurethane. And after that, use a clean damp rag to wipe up any excess polyurethane that is left on your floor.
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Avoid Using A Brush: Many people try to use a brush to paint polyurethane onto their floors, but this is a very bad idea. If you do this, the polyurethane will dry on the bristles and it won’t last. Instead, you need to squirt the polyurethane onto the floor with a brush.
Clean Brushes: You can use mineral spirits or thinner to clean your polyurethane brush after removing polyurethane from your floor.
Applying Oil-Based Polyurethane
Oil based polyurethane applying is not a very difficult or hard thing to do. But you should remember that you have to work in well-ventilated area, since oil based polyurethane is very flammable. It’s also a good idea to wear gloves and mask when applying make sure that you don’t breathe the fumes. Just you follow some steps.
Frist of all, you need to remove any furniture and cover the floor with drop cloths. Make sure that they are thick enough to avoid any drips that will cause discoloration of your floor.
After that, you can start to mix the polyurethane, but make sure that you mix it in well-ventilated area. Make sure that there are no open windows or doors to avoid smoke or fire.
While mixing, you have to stir the entire mixture for at least 15 minutes. After that, you can start to apply the polyurethane by using a paint brush or roller. After applying polyurethane, let it dry for at least couple of hours and after that you can apply a second coat to get a more uniform finish.
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If you’re doing a small area, then use a brush. If you’re doing a large area, then use a paint roller. Apply the paste in a very even layer to avoid air bubbles and drips. Apply it to all parts of the floor and avoid splatters, which are very difficult to remove. To ensure that you get a smooth finish that is not sticky, you need to apply at least two coats of polyurethane.
Applying Water-Based Polyurethane
Water based polyurethane applying is much easier than oil based polyurethane with only a few steps that you need to follow. First, you have to vacuum the floor and remove any furniture from the area. After that, use a tack cloth to remove all dust from the floor and make sure the floor is clean and free of debris.
After that, you need to apply two coats of polyurethane to get a durable and uniform finish. Make sure that you don’t apply the second coat until the first one is completely dry, so that drips and bubbles will not appear on your floor.
If you’re doing a large area, then use a roller or paintbrush. If you’re doing a small area, then use a brush. After applying polyurethane, let it dry for at least couple of hours and after that you can apply a second coat to get a more uniform finish.
If you’re doing a small area, then use a brush. If you’re doing a large area, then use a paint roller. Apply the paste in a very even layer to avoid air bubbles and drips. Apply it to all parts of the floor and avoid splatters, which are very difficult to remove. To ensure that you get a smooth finish that is not sticky, you need to apply at least two coats of polyurethane.
Some Question about Applying Polyurethane
When you applying polyurethane, there are few question that you’re may ask. We also have few questions and answers about them.
Do you apply polyurethane with a brush or rag?
You can apply polyurethane with a brush or roller. But many people have a preference for brushes. Why? Because they can better control the final finish of their floor. Roller leaves marks and fibers in the polyurethane, which cannot be removed with any tool.
Do you have to sand between coats of polyurethane?
No, you don’t need to sand your finished polyurethane floor. Many people think that they should sand their floors before applying a new coat of polyurethane. But this is not necessary. The first coat will fill the pores in your floor, so it’s perfectly smooth. Many people sand their floors between every coat and it will slow down the drying time as well as damage the polyurethane.
Can I apply a second coat of polyurethane without sanding?
You can apply a second coat of polyurethane with or without sanding. If you’re planning to apply a second coat, then you need to wait until the first coat completely dries before applying the second coat. The first coat of polyurethane will try to suck up the polyurethane when it’s dries, which is not good for your floor.
Is 2 coats of polyurethane enough?
You need to apply at least two coats of polyurethane to get a durable and uniform finish. The first coat will fill the pores in your floor, so it’s perfectly smooth. After that, the second coat will have a uniform and durable finish that is not sticky.
Conclusion
That’s it. In this guide, we have discussed everything that you should know when applying polyurethane to your floors. We have also discussed the different types of polyurethane and which one is right for you. Remember to also check out the related articles. And if you want to ask a question, please leave a comment below. I will do my best to answer it as soon as possible.
