T
18

Serious question, has anyone else had a piece look worse before it got better with a new finish?

I was working on an old oak dresser from a garage sale in Spokane. After I stripped the old varnish, I put on a water-based poly and it looked super cloudy and flat, like I'd ruined it. I let it dry for two days, then sanded it lightly with 400 grit and put on a second coat. The second coat went on clear and shiny, and it totally brought the grain back to life. It was a real panic for a minute there. Has anyone else had a finish look bad on the first coat but turn out fine?
3 comments

Log in to join the discussion

Log In
3 Comments
wesley801
wesley80112d ago
Yeah, that first coat panic is like a lot of things.
7
andrew_kelly
Oh man, that first coat panic is real. Water-based poly is famous for doing that, it soaks in and looks milky. The second coat usually seals it and brings back the shine, just like you saw.
1
evannelson
evannelson29d ago
Didn't it used to be the other way around?
3