I have been applying thinned poly to an oak plywood desktop. I have 6 coats or so applied and it seems to be coming along. I used 1:1 for the first two coats, then 2:1, 3:1, and am now using 4:1. I have been sanding with 320 and 400 between coats. I clean up the sand residue with a soft brush, then a microfiber dry tack cloth, and finally wipe with shop paper towel with some mineral spirits.
I am trying a wipe-on technique to apply the satin poly. I have tried using both a microfibre cloth, and a cotton t-shirt. I have basically been poring some poly on one end and wiping toward the other. I am treating this more of less like applying tung oil. It seems that most of the finish is ending up in the application cloth. It is certain that the finish builds up faster when I apply with a foam brush, but wiping on is definitely giving a smoother finish. I don't care that it's taking somewhat longer, but I don't really like wasting as much finish material as it appears I am.
Would it be better to apply with a foam brush, foam roller, or microfiber roller, and then wipe smooth with a cloth, or should I stick with what I am doing?
There doesn't appear to be any difference between using a microfiber cloth and t-shirt. I can pretty much clean the microfiber cloth completely, which I can't seem to do with the cotton, so I will probably stick with the micro.
The coats seem to dry very fast when using the wipe method. I am still only applying coats about every 12 hours. Can I apply more regularly, or should I keep with the 12 hour interval?
LMHmedchem
I am trying a wipe-on technique to apply the satin poly. I have tried using both a microfibre cloth, and a cotton t-shirt. I have basically been poring some poly on one end and wiping toward the other. I am treating this more of less like applying tung oil. It seems that most of the finish is ending up in the application cloth. It is certain that the finish builds up faster when I apply with a foam brush, but wiping on is definitely giving a smoother finish. I don't care that it's taking somewhat longer, but I don't really like wasting as much finish material as it appears I am.
Would it be better to apply with a foam brush, foam roller, or microfiber roller, and then wipe smooth with a cloth, or should I stick with what I am doing?
There doesn't appear to be any difference between using a microfiber cloth and t-shirt. I can pretty much clean the microfiber cloth completely, which I can't seem to do with the cotton, so I will probably stick with the micro.
The coats seem to dry very fast when using the wipe method. I am still only applying coats about every 12 hours. Can I apply more regularly, or should I keep with the 12 hour interval?
LMHmedchem