How many coats of water based polyurethane is too many?
Two coats of finish are suggested for most interior projects. When sealing floors, you should apply three coats. However, do not apply more than two coats in one day. 220 grit sandpaper should be used between coats to remove any air bubbles, but avoid using steel wool.
One coat generally won't be thick enough to provide lasting protection, nor smooth enough. Many thinner coats result in a better finish that will generally dry better than fewer thicker coats. You can go more than three coats but the results may worsen if you go too many as it'll have that real plastic-y feel to it.
Generally, more than 3 coats of poly doesn't do much good. It's really not needed nor recommended. Each additional coat needs to be buffed so you are kind of buffing off half of the previous layer. So 4 coats is more like 3.5 coats.
The water in water based polyurethane tends to “react with the grain” more, so you often need to apply more coats to achieve a smooth, finish.
We recommend a minimum of 3 coats of water based polyurethane as it coats in thinner, but harder layers, than an oil based poly. Water based polyurethane dries very quickly and up to 4 coats can be applied in one day. Jobs 1,500 – 5,000 sq ft, 2-4 days for completion.
How Many Coats of Water-Based Polyurethane are Necessary for a Project? Two coats of finish are suggested for most interior projects. When sealing floors, you should apply three coats. However, do not apply more than two coats in one day.
Apply 3 to 4 coats of water based polyurethane on wood wait 2 hours in between layers. Apply 4 coats of oil based polyurethane on wood and wait 8 hours in between. Don't apply too many coat and you should be just fine.
Water-based polyurethane can take anywhere from 3 to 21 days to cure. It's touchable after 24 hours. You can put on some furniture after 2 days. And officially cured on the 20th day.
Sand Between Coats
Make sure to sand the polyurethane between coats. Sanding removes drips, bubbles and other uneven spots in each coat.
Polyurethane doesn't do that so it needs a mechanical method to stick to the previous coat. If you don't sand, the varnish will flake over time particularly if it is a high wear surface. It will also make the surface much smoother.
Can you sleep in house after water based polyurethane?
It's recommended that you stay out of your home for at least 8 hours after applying a water-based polyurethane finish, though usually, you can walk on it much sooner. For a single-component water-based finish, full cure time is usually 7-14 days.
Water-based polyurethane scratches and dents easily. Oil-based polyurethane coatings provide excellent abrasion and scratch resistance. This makes them a good choice for wood floors or for any application such as cabinets, railings, or countertops where durability is critical.
Though many people believe oil-based finishes are more durable, superior technological advancements to water-based finish have been made in the last 40 years that prove water-based finishes last longer and hold their appearance longer. High quality floor finishes of both types can last about 10 years.
Typically for a water-based finish, you'll put down two seal coats and two top coats. However, water-based finishes will cure faster than oil-based products, with only about two hours needing to pass between each coat of finish depending on conditions.
As a general rule, polyurethane can take as long as 30 days to completely and correctly cure. It would be best to give yourself a full 3- days before using your wood floors following a polyurethane treatment for the best possible outcomes.
Urethane wood flooring
The polyurethane finish dries much faster than oiled finishes, so you can expect to be walking on your new living space in only 4-6 hours after it has been applied.
Applying a Water-Based Polyurethane
Apply a very thin coat of polyurethane with a fine brush, foam pad, or cloth. Work with the grain, and avoid applying too much polyurethane to avoid raising the grain. The initial coat should be dry within a couple of hours, and you can then apply a second coat.
High Performance Water Based Polyurethane Topcoat. Winner of Fine Woodworking's "Best Overall Choice Award," High Performance Topcoat was voted as the hardest, most durable consumer polyurethane topcoat.
Water based poly, an acrylic product, is a thinner, but harder coating. Oil poly can be more susceptible to dents, while water based poly can be more susceptible to surface scratching. Because water based is a thinner product, manufacturers recommend a sealer coat and 2 coats of finish coats.
A polyurethane finish is applied to the surface of the wood, but doesn't penetrate it. This finish protects the wood from liquids and scratches. Our urethane finishes are water based, environmentally friendly and create a beautiful and lasting finish.
How many square feet does water based polyurethane cover?
Easy to use, non yellowing floor finish covers up to 500 sq. ft.
This is one of the most important factors that you should consider while purchasing polyurethane for your floor. The color of oil-based polyurethane is an amber hue which is a very rich and attractive color and darkens over time. In contrast, water-based polyurethane is clear.
How Long Does Water-Based Polyurethane Last? A quality UV-resistant water-based finish can be even more durable than oil. An experienced contractor can apply water-based finish that won't require maintenance for 10 years.
To give the subsequent poly layers something to bond to, sand lightly between coats with 320-grit sandpaper wrapped around a hard block. Note: The first coat needs the most sanding to appear smooth; don't worry if it doesn't look as flawless as you'd like at first.
Apply Your First Coat
For water-based finishes, use water. Also, make sure you're working in small sections so that the polyurethane doesn't have a chance to dry before you're done applying it. Be sure to apply a thin layer of polyurethane, too. You don't want to glob it on, as this can also cause bubbles.
A wet sander can be used after sealant, varnish, or polyurethane has been applied to smooth out bumps, scratches, or imperfections on the surface. In addition to making scratches less visible, the water gives better control over the thickness of the finish.
Thus, it's best to wait until all coats have been applied and dried before walking through the room. After that final coat, your floors should be off-limits for 24 hours. This is the only way to avoid any damage.
You must sand in order to remove all traces of previous coatings. This is to open the pores of the wood so that it can absorb the new finish. If you just applied without sanding the result would be terrible. Polyurethane will not stick.
After applying however many coats needed, I'll let it cure overnight. Once fully dry, I'll give it a very light once over with some 600 grit sandpaper,, wipe on a final coat of poly and call it done.
Water-based poly is generally cloudy when it's wet and dries clear. If it has fully dried and it cloudy again, it most likely has gotten wet from standing water and needs to be allowed to fully dry again. Leave it alone, and within 48–72 hours, it will probably dry out.
How long does polyurethane emit VOCs?
During the drying and curing process, the floor's finish releases potentially harmful chemicals into the air via evaporation, a process called off-gassing. Off-gassing is heavy during the first two days after application, and the floor's finish can continue to emit small amounts of VOCs for up to thirty days.
Not only does the water-based finish seal in the odors, but it leaves behind a protective finish that makes the inside of the drawers look as good as the outside. Its a two-for-one advantage!
Polycrylic is not as durable as polyurethane and is meant to be used only on interior surfaces such as cabinets, furniture, and trim. It shouldn't be used in exterior applications or on surfaces that are subject to lots of wear, such as floors, or that are exposed to water.
The Best Interior Water-Based Polyurethane Finish Option
ZAR® Interior Water Base Poly Crystal Clear is a clear protective coat recommended for light bare wood or light stain colors. It is environmentally safe and non-yellowing, so you can use it with confidence to protect your interior wood projects.
- BEST OVERALL: General Finishes High-Performance Water-Based Topcoat.
- RUNNER-UP: Minwax Water-Based Oil-Modified Polyurethane.
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Minwax Polycrylic Protective Clear Finish Topcoat.
- bland appearance.
- application difficulties in humid weather.
- raises the wood grain.
- no better than other finishes in terms of heat, acid, water/humidity resistence.
- hard to remove if allowed to dry.
- easy to get 'witness lines' when polishing.
- finish sensitive to low temperatures when stored.
Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaners can be safely used on all unwaxed, unoiled and polyurethane finished hardwood floors. Our residue-free and fast drying solutions effectively clean hardwood floors by gently removing dust, dirt and grime, bringing out your hardwood floor's natural beauty.
Lambswool Applicators
The method recommended for applying oil-based polyurethane to hardwood floors is with the use of a lambswool applicator on a wooden block. One word of caution with lambswool applicators: The fibers of these applicators have a tendency to get stuck in wet finish.
Is Oil-Based or Water-Based Better for My Hardwood Floors? There's no right or wrong answer about which polyurethane floor finish is a better option for your home. Oil-based used to last longer, but manufacturers are now developing high-quality water-based hardwood floor sealers that provide the same durability level.
No matter how many coats you apply, it should not become "glossy". It's all about adhesion. When you recoat after 2 hours you get a chemical bond between layers. If you let it go longer than that, you need to wait 24 hours so it's hard enough to sand and get a mechanical bond.
How long before you can walk on water based polyurethane floors?
Length of time to dry for water based polyurethane:
Hours 6-24, you can walk on the floors with socks. Avoid shoes and bare feet.
Open windows and doors. Use a fan to direct fresh air over the area. It can take up to seven days for the urethane to be 90 percent cured and 30 days to be cured completely. However, you should need the fan only for the first day, with periodic use after to remove buildup of fumes.
Generally, more than 3 coats of poly doesn't do much good. It's really not needed nor recommended. Each additional coat needs to be buffed so you are kind of buffing off half of the previous layer. So 4 coats is more like 3.5 coats.
Water based polyurethane is safe to apply without a respirator, and will not stink up the house like an oil based poly. It is safe for people and pets to occupy a house while undergoing coatings of water based poly.
Water-based polyurethane can take anywhere from 3 to 21 days to cure. It's touchable after 24 hours. You can put on some furniture after 2 days. And officially cured on the 20th day.
Apply Extra Heat. Applying heat is one of the best ways to increase polyurethane drying times. For example, some individuals will use a hair-dryer, a space heater, or a heat lamp to turn up the heat on a polyurethane coat.
Sand Between Coats
Make sure to sand the polyurethane between coats. Sanding removes drips, bubbles and other uneven spots in each coat.
It's all about adhesion. When you recoat after 2 hours you get a chemical bond between layers. If you let it go longer than that, you need to wait 24 hours so it's hard enough to sand and get a mechanical bond.
THICKNESS AND HARDNESS: Oil based poly is a thicker poly, but it is also softer. Water based poly, an acrylic product, is a thinner, but harder coating. Oil poly can be more susceptible to dents, while water based poly can be more susceptible to surface scratching.
Typically for a water-based finish, you'll put down two seal coats and two top coats. However, water-based finishes will cure faster than oil-based products, with only about two hours needing to pass between each coat of finish depending on conditions.
Does water based polyurethane darken over time?
This is one of the most important factors that you should consider while purchasing polyurethane for your floor. The color of oil-based polyurethane is an amber hue which is a very rich and attractive color and darkens over time. In contrast, water-based polyurethane is clear.
Apply a THIN coat of Minwax® Fast-Drying Polyurethane using a high-quality, natural bristle or foam brush. Let dry 4-6 hours. Then lightly sand entire surface with fine sandpaper (220-grit) to ensure an even finish and proper adhesion. Remove all dust.
Water based poly dries much faster, and several coats (up to 4) can be applied in one day. Water based poly can be walked on with socks in about 4-6 hours after last coat has been applied, while oil based poly must dry for at least 24 hours before walking on it with socks.