Loading…
19
TIL a trick for getting rid of those tiny air bubbles in polyurethane
I was finishing a maple tabletop and the bubbles just wouldn't settle. I read online to thin the final coat with about 10% mineral spirits and apply it with a foam brush instead of a regular one. The finish leveled out perfectly with zero bubbles. Has anyone else tried this method on a tricky wood grain?
3 comments
Log in to join the discussion
Log In3 Comments
the_matthew5mo ago
How well does that work on something really porous like oak? I had the same bubble issue on a red oak floor and thinning it was the only thing that saved the job... the foam brush made it go on like glass.
6
lilykelly5mo ago
Ever try a conditioner first? I had a pine table that drank finish like water until I sealed the grain with a thin wash coat (it was a real game changer). That prep step basically solved all my bubble problems before they started.
1
samjohnson5mo ago
Thinning it down just hides the problem. You get bubbles because you're working it too much with the brush. A badger hair brush lays it down smooth without all the fuss. Tried foam brushes once, left bits in the finish. Real bristles are the way to go.
4