Finishing with polyurethane

[seamlyne]

Whenever I work with polyurethane on a vertical surface I always end up with puddles at the bottom of the piece. I've got the next step in my project coming up - unfinished kitchen cabinets - and there simply isn't room to lay each one down and finish the surfaces flat. This was what I did with my daughter's costume trunk, working one side at a time giving the finish time to set, but it's only 36" x 18" x 24"...that fits on my sawhorses. The first cabinet in will be a seven foot tall pantry...no room to lay that down.

I'm not applying the finish heavily, 3-4 light coats brushed on, sanded in between, and I'm using the quick-drying version. I can't believe that cabinets in a production environment aren't done vertically, and if that's true how is puddling dealt with? Is it just that spraying somehow doesn't run downhill? Is a different finish being used?

- Wm

Measure with a micrometer
Mark with a crayon
Cut with an axe.

[leone184]

They are using a different product- a lacquer. You can buy these products in some retail outlets, but they will be very expensive, and can only be sprayed. You will also have to buy specialty solvents, and use a respirator.

Have you considered other products? I have had great luck using wipe-on polyurethane. Basically, you put it on with a cheap brush, then buff the excess off with a lint free cotton rag. They are thicker than normal polyurethane, more like a gel. Since kitchen cabinets will get a lot of wear and tear, you will need multiple coats, probably at least three. But the pieces will dry pretty quick, and can be handled almost immediately. Other benefits are no brush marks, no runs, and no sanding between coats. It dries to the touch so fast dust won't have a chance to settle in the finish.

These tend to come in only lower luster finishes, but each successive coat will add gloss and durability.

leone184

[seamlyne]

quote:Originally posted by leone184

They are using a different product- a lacquer. You can buy these products in some retail outlets, but they will be very expensive, and can only be sprayed. You will also have to buy specialty solvents, and use a respirator.

Have you considered other products? I have had great luck using wipe-on polyurethane. Basically, you put it on with a cheap brush, then buff the excess off with a lint free cotton rag. They are thicker than normal polyurethane, more like a gel. Since kitchen cabinets will get a lot of wear and tear, you will need multiple coats, probably at least three. But the pieces will dry pretty quick, and can be handled almost immediately. Other benefits are no brush marks, no runs, and no sanding between coats. It dries to the touch so fast dust won't have a chance to settle in the finish.

These tend to come in only lower luster finishes, but each successive coat will add gloss and durability.

leone184

Measure with a micrometer
Mark with a crayon
Cut with an axe.

[HayZee518]

I have used oil based urethanes with automotive type fast dry reducers with much luck. The drying time is "fast" so there isn't time to puddle even if the finish is brushed on.

[seamlyne]

Dingdingding! We may have a winner, here...

"fast dry reducers." Okay, I'm game. Can you say more about them? As in ratio of fdr to poly, est. drying time, where to find the stuff..?

- Wm

quote:Originally posted by HayZee518

I have used oil based urethanes with automotive type fast dry reducers with much luck. The drying time is "fast" so there isn't time to puddle even if the finish is brushed on.

Measure with a micrometer
Mark with a crayon
Cut with an axe.

[HayZee518]

anyplace that sells automotive paints - dupont or martin-seymour. dries within a half hour