I've been using minwax spar pu for many of my hfs, which I apply with the lathe running slowly. Anyone have any experience with the fast drying pu? Does it get tacky too fast? Thanks.
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Minwax Fast Drying Polyurethane
- Thread starter Ed Weingarden
- Start date
PU and HFS? Funny, I don't consider using all the letters a hardship! What is too fast? I've experimented using fast drying to french polish to dry to the touch. Seemed to work fine, but I didn't substitute it for my usual cotton pad applicator off the lathe.
Hi Ed, I've recently used a fast-drying Poly on a couple of furniture projects - not on a turning. You may still be able to consider my experience using the product - I think as long as you are able to apply the product at a reasonable pace, it should work fine. I would advise that you make sure to keep a "wet edge" as you overlap from one section to the next - the product is self - leveling, so you should really avoid over brushing. How fast does it dry? That will depend on the temperature & airflow in your shop - I did notice that I had to work to apply the product faster on a day when it was really hot out - I do not have climate control for my shop. Luckily, I had started the application in an inconspicuous section and was able to stop as soon as I realized that there could be a problem if I continued with the application- I adjusted by starting earlier in the morning the next day while it was cooler in the shop. Also - the 2nd coat seemed to a dry a bit faster than the first coat - not in the application stage, which seemed about the same - but in the actual dry time after application - if that makes sense. My assumption is that since the 2nd coat goes on smoother, it is probably also not quite as thick as the first coat - which allows it to dry faster.
I feel like finishing is still one of my weak points. I get good results, but sometimes I feel like it takes too much time and effort. Maybe tehre are no shortcuts and I'm too much of a perfectionist.
MinWax fast dry poly is still my go-to. I usually brush on the first coats at my shop. I apply it pretty heavily to the areas that drink it in (punky or endgrain) but lighter on sidegrain to prevent drips and sags. I thin it slightly and use a folded piece of microfiber cloth for the coats after. I ususally bring the pieces home and give a light sanding between coats to remove any high spots/roughness. With my homemade folded "applicator pad", it's a little like washing dishes. You don't want dripping wet, or you'll get runs, but too dry "pulls" and leaves a rough surface. Just right lays down a very smooth light coat, that eventually fills the grain and evens out the surface.The closer it gets to done, the finer the grit between coats. My best pieces get wet-sanded in the kitchen sink with 1500 or 2000 before the final coat.
MinWax fast dry poly is still my go-to. I usually brush on the first coats at my shop. I apply it pretty heavily to the areas that drink it in (punky or endgrain) but lighter on sidegrain to prevent drips and sags. I thin it slightly and use a folded piece of microfiber cloth for the coats after. I ususally bring the pieces home and give a light sanding between coats to remove any high spots/roughness. With my homemade folded "applicator pad", it's a little like washing dishes. You don't want dripping wet, or you'll get runs, but too dry "pulls" and leaves a rough surface. Just right lays down a very smooth light coat, that eventually fills the grain and evens out the surface.The closer it gets to done, the finer the grit between coats. My best pieces get wet-sanded in the kitchen sink with 1500 or 2000 before the final coat.
If you are looking for a polyurethane product that dries quickly and does not remain very tacky for long, I can suggest Bartley gel varnish (also sold as "clear stain"). It was developed decades ago by the Bartley furniture kit company. The kit company is out of business, but the varnish is still available. I believe it's a blend of alkyd resin and PU.
It's a thick gel, so maybe difficult to use inside a hollow form. Application is with cotton rags. Wipe on, wipe off excess, then buff with a clean rag. I have used a foam brush to apply. After buffing it will be a little tacky for maybe an hour, but gets dry to touch pretty quickly and ready for second coat after 6 hours. One of the reasons I like it is that it doesn't collect a lot of dust nibs.
what is hf?
Hollowform
Hollow Form
Thanks Vicki, I had the same question.
Never knew HF had so many meanings ;-)
Thanks for all the replies.
@Mark Jundanian - thanks for the heads up on the Bartley product. It's different than my usual application method, but I'll have a look.
Thanks for all the replies.
@Mark Jundanian - thanks for the heads up on the Bartley product. It's different than my usual application method, but I'll have a look.