Polyurethane and wood floors (or, A Lesson in Patience) - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Jaca · 08-01-2004, 06:41 PM

Recently rented a house and volunteered to do this job for two small (10x10, 10x12) bedrooms.

We sanded, swept and mopped (twice) and did the first layer of poly with a roller, which proceeded to bubble up like a boiling pot.

Sanded and scraped the bubbles out, swept, sanded and mopped again, and now I have very bare, clean, dust-free wooden floors, two cans of new poly, a new mohair roller, and a brush. Getting ready to try this again.

My question is, what's the tried and true method to doing this? I've googled several different resources and came to realize that aeration could have resulted from using the roller, that moisture, dust or humidity could have all affected the way the poly dried. Some people say use a brush, never use a roller, some people say use a roller, never a brush. Some people say pour it and spread it as fast as you can. Bleh.

I know one thing, and that's that I'm terrified of doing this again. I don't want to have to buy area rugs that big, but I'll be damned if I'm going to do this job one more time. I've already logged about 30 hours into this project, and I'm tired.

Sooo, any advice?

clavus · 08-01-2004, 08:13 PM

I fall into the "brush, never roll" group. Put on a few, thin layers, don't try to do one big thick layer.

Seriously, dump that roller.

shakran · 08-01-2004, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by clavus
I fall into the "brush, never roll" group. Put on a few, thin layers, don't try to do one big thick layer.

Seriously, dump that roller.

Yup. Brush. SLOWLY dip the brush in the poly and SLOWLY bring it back out so you don't get bubbles in there. If bubbles wind up in the poly coat, use steel wool to get 'em out.

kazoo · 08-02-2004, 06:41 AM

Adding to the dogpile-used a roller once, never again. Were I tasked with your project, I'd investigate HVLP spray. The low pressure practically eliminates 'bounce back' and reduces the need to get crazy with masking.

You can rent these units-practice outside to get a feel for the tool, and then go for it.

Jaca · 08-02-2004, 02:12 PM

Thanks for the feedback!

[edit]:

Ended up doing it with a shop rag. As I applied the poly with a brush I got instant bubbles. No earthly reason why, I still can't figure it out. So I gave up and did it the only other way I could imagine.

Though it's not as uniform as I would have liked, and I'll need to do another coat, it looks pretty decent.

And it only took 3 hours for the effects of the fumes to wear off.

flutterby1020 · 08-08-2004, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jaca
Thanks for the feedback!

And it only took 3 hours for the effects of the fumes to wear off.

Ahh...a poly-high...

08-01-2004, 06:41 PM	#1 (permalink)
Jaca Upright	Polyurethane and wood floors (or, A Lesson in Patience) Recently rented a house and volunteered to do this job for two small (10x10, 10x12) bedrooms. We sanded, swept and mopped (twice) and did the first layer of poly with a roller, which proceeded to bubble up like a boiling pot. Sanded and scraped the bubbles out, swept, sanded and mopped again, and now I have very bare, clean, dust-free wooden floors, two cans of new poly, a new mohair roller, and a brush. Getting ready to try this again. My question is, what's the tried and true method to doing this? I've googled several different resources and came to realize that aeration could have resulted from using the roller, that moisture, dust or humidity could have all affected the way the poly dried. Some people say use a brush, never use a roller, some people say use a roller, never a brush. Some people say pour it and spread it as fast as you can. Bleh. I know one thing, and that's that I'm terrified of doing this again. I don't want to have to buy area rugs that big, but I'll be damned if I'm going to do this job one more time. I've already logged about 30 hours into this project, and I'm tired. Sooo, any advice?

08-01-2004, 08:13 PM	#2 (permalink)
clavus pow! Location: NorCal	I fall into the "brush, never roll" group. Put on a few, thin layers, don't try to do one big thick layer. Seriously, dump that roller. __________________ Ass, gas or grass. Nobody rides for free.

08-02-2004, 06:41 AM	#4 (permalink)
kazoo Psycho Location: Where the night things are	Adding to the dogpile-used a roller once, never again. Were I tasked with your project, I'd investigate HVLP spray. The low pressure practically eliminates 'bounce back' and reduces the need to get crazy with masking. You can rent these units-practice outside to get a feel for the tool, and then go for it. __________________ There ain't nothin' more powerful than the odor of mendacity -Big Daddy

08-02-2004, 02:12 PM	#5 (permalink)
Jaca Upright	Thanks for the feedback! [edit]: Ended up doing it with a shop rag. As I applied the poly with a brush I got instant bubbles. No earthly reason why, I still can't figure it out. So I gave up and did it the only other way I could imagine. Though it's not as uniform as I would have liked, and I'll need to do another coat, it looks pretty decent. And it only took 3 hours for the effects of the fumes to wear off. Last edited by Jaca; 08-06-2004 at 12:36 PM..