Hand sand corners, edges and under cabinet kick plates. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Apply two to three coats using the same procedure. As another alternative, you can use an acrylic or resin-based sealer spray to seal the surface. Apply two to three additional coats of full-strength polyurethane, sanding between each coat. Others will need additional protection from wear and the elements. Sharon Sweeny has a college degree in general studies and worked as an administrative and legal assistant for 20 years before becoming a professional writer in 2008. Mix with a wooden stir stick, scraping into the mixture any lacquer from the base and sides of the can. You should notice the varnish peeling off with ease. Read the directions on the varnish can for exact thinning instructions. Do not brush over the varnished areas again while the varnish is still wet. Varnish is used to protect and add a shiny finish to wooden surfaces. Can polyurethane floors be recoated? A: Nothing, provided you apply each coat of finish within a reasonable amount of time. Apply two to three more coats of varnish, following the same process between each coat. Always allow polyurethane to dry 24 to 48 hours before sanding, to give the surface time to cure and harden. make sure you aren't scrubbing in one spot because you can over do some areas and kind of sand out spot from the wood. It took 36 hours for parts of the floor to dry to the touch. Paint the varnish onto the wooden surface, either with or against the grain of the wood. You should be able to get most of the finish off without doing a lot of harm to the stain. If its tacky and you try to sand it will just gum things up like crazy. You should be able to lightly sand with 220 or higher and get fine dust, nothing clumpy. Tack-rag the surface after sanding before putting on the second coat. Whether your varnished wooden surface is a floor, door, or even a piece of furniture, it can easily be fixed to look like new again. Before you sand them all down, you could try applying another coat of gel stain to one of the shelves to see if that evens out the colors and streaks. Varnish can keep a door looking like new. It's probably tacky because the wood wasn't properly cleaned before varnishing. The goal is to roughen the surface of the varnish, not remove the varnish from the wooden surface. As mentioned, you can simply add another layer of resin on top of the sticky spots in resin. That will take up to 30 days to do so underneath the seal coat and poly coatings. Once the poly comes off you will have a dull matte finish. It will seal and dry quickly. Coat the entirety of your workpiece, but don't brush excessively or you'll create areas with too little polyurethane. If this has happened to your varnished wood finish, you can repair it. Make sure you sand throughout the entire varnish finish to leave the surface smooth for the new varnish. You could well sand through the top, sticky layer and get to a solid surface underneath it. You can then apply your polyurethane. Pour a small amount of mineral spirits on the cloth and wipe the wooden surface to remove all the remaining dust. Varnish can keep a door looking like new. Q: What will happen to a wood floor if you do not sand between coats of polyurethane? The process: 1. This time make sure to measure and mix everything correctly. When etching the surface, you can do this by hand, or you can also use a palm sander. Varnish is used to protect and add a shiny finish to wooden surfaces. If you apply "wipe on poly" after that dries you should get the sheen back. Use a damp cloth to wipe the excess polyurethane from the surface. This is Part 3 of a 3 part episode on "How to Rehab a Wood Shelf". Therefore, if you are looking to apply water-based poly formula over the stain, you should ensure that you sand the surface before you can apply your finish. Always test tackiness between coats. To give the subsequent poly layers something to bond to, sand lightly between coats with 320-grit sandpaper wrapped around a hard block. If you get dust nibs or brush marks in the finish, sanding will smooth them, and your next coat will look better if you work on a … How to Change an Oak Furniture Finish to an Espresso Color, "Popular Woodworking"; Finishing for First-Timers; Bob Flexner; 2011, Wood Finish Supply; "Wood Magazine"; Wax the Perfect Protection for Furniture? You can use a steel-bristle brush for hard to reach areas. Ultimately, our recommendation is that you avoid sanding after staining or simply use a very gentle scuff sanding method if you notice roughness. Brush off all the loose debris and dust on the surface, using the dry paintbrush. For additional water resistance and durability, you can add a layer of polyurethane, shellac, lacquer, or some other type of sealer. Two coats are sufficient for polyurethane, but you can add one or two more if desired for more depth. If this is your first time working with Varathane, there may be some uneven spots.