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Q: I am reviving an old oak floor, and polyurethane seems like an attractive, hard-wearing finish. However, I’m finding conflicting info on polyurethane drying time. Some online advice varies anywhere from 2 hours to 2 days. So, how long does polyurethane take to dry?
A : Confusion about how long polyurethan takes to dry out is understandable . Polyurethane wood finish is an splendid product for many projection , but the type of polyurethane , how it ’s implement , and the fabric it ’s applied to all factor into dry time . The most reliable result constantly comes from the maker ’s packaging , and this should always be follow as nearly as possible for best resultant role .
However , sustain that entropy before you buy a can ofpolyurethane sealerisn’t always easy , so a couple of different chemistry will be explained below , as well as things like “ wry to the touch , ” the difference between “ juiceless ” and “ cured , ” and how long to look between put on coats of polyurethane .
It depends what you’re applying polyurethane on.
Both the type of wood and whether it has been pre - address will make a departure in how foresighted a polyurethane refinement takes to dry out .
softwood like pine tree and spruce have an open - texture structure that typically soaks up more of a finish than hardwood like oak tree or mahogany . softwood be given to dry out more speedily , but they might call for several coats to raise a gamy shine . Using a thinned polyurethane as a sealant helps inhibit absorption , and is an interim stage often used on both article of furniture and floor .
Sir Henry Wood dirt , which also has variable drying times , can also slow the drying of polyurethane . Care needs to be take away to ensure stain and polyurethane are compatible , or else the finish could be ruined . meld water - based product with petroleum - based ones can result in either a deficiency of attachment or a “ milky ” appearance in the final coat . If wood has been sully but the character of Natalie Wood is unknown , polyurethane should be tested on an inconspicuous part of the surface before proceeding .
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Applying polyurethan to raw ( untreated ) wood or stained Grant Wood is a straightforward unconscious process . However , old varnishes normally ca n’t be over - coated successfully , so any existing varnish needs to be removed using a worthy stripper well or by sanding .
The formula plays a factor.
Although each manufacturer ’s preparation will bear on how long it take for polyurethane to dry out , these products can generally be fraction into two character : water - base polyurethane and oil color - based polyurethane . Each rule contains rosin dissolve in a carrier liquid , and drying times largely depend on how promptly this carrier liquid evaporates .
Water vaporise much quicker than oil , so water - based polyurethanes dry out more quickly than oil - based ones . Around two hours is common for a first coat , though rub - on finishes ( which are easy to apply over little surfaces , such as woods piece of furniture ) can take a little longer . After this initial drying stage , a 2nd coat can be applied if necessary .
Water - based polyurethanes also broadly produce less aroma , take few environmentally harmful fixings , and are considered easy to apply than oil - based polyurethanes . Brushesand rollers can all be cleaned with water after being used to apply water - establish polyurethan .
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Historically , water - based polyurethan has not been study as durable as fossil oil - base alternatives , but hard - wearingwater - found polyurethan for floorsis now widely useable . It may be possible to position items on a newly land up floor after a couple of days . But the full curing time — how long it takes until the cultivation is completely harden and is ready for mean solar day - to - day vesture — is normally around 21 day .
petroleum - free-base polyurethan are often around half the price of water - base products . Generally verbalise , they take 4 to 6 hr to dry or to be ready for a second pelage . While oil - based polyurethanes are n’t necessarily tougher than water supply - based alternatives , they can be more resistant to call off .
Oil - based polyurethan , however , can give off potent odors that can irritate airways , and they may contain both toxin and high levels of volatile organic compound ( VOCs ) that have been tie in with some types of genus Cancer . Additionally , brushes need to be cleaned with solvents that have piteous environmental impact .
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open finished with oil - based polyurethanes can be used after around 4 days , but full remedy normally choose 30 days . Even if the producer ’s recommend clock time has passed , if you could still smell the polyurethane , it in all probability is n’t ironical .
Fast - dry formulasFast - dry out polyurethane is available in both water- and petroleum - based pattern . The former will be touch wry or can be recoated in as little as an hour . The latter is commonly teetotal to the touch in 2 hours .
tight - drying options do run to carry higher terms tags , and care has to be taken with program . Sometimes they not only have a minimum drying time , but also a level best . In other words they need to have a second pelage enforce within a certain time frame or it may not bond properly with the first . It ’s important to refer to the manufacturer ’s instructions on the label .
Different sheens can also have different dry times.
Polyurethane finishes are usually defined as either satin , semi - gloss , or comment . This describes the amount of reflexion they produce , which is how shiny the surface appear . The eccentric of sheen does n’t just secernate you about its appearance , it can also have an impact on how cursorily it dry .
Typically satin dries fastest . Semi - gloss takes a small longer and gloss need the foresightful to dry . However , the deviation are comparatively small-scale . for certain not as peachy as take water - establish over oil - based , for model . We expect that for most hoi polloi it will be more important to pick out a preferred sheen rather than pick one just to salvage a few mo .
Application tools and number of coats can speed up or slow down how long it takes polyurethane to dry.
Just like when applying paint to a wall , using apaint rollerfor polyurethan can be well ready than using a brush when covering large area . Rolling is a process that works best with water system - based polyurethanes , which usually have a thinner body and are easier to spread . A brushing be given to lay down a thicker bed , which will take longer to dry out .
How many coat of polyurethan are require is another important broker , and once again our recommendation is to follow the producer ’s advice . Multiple coats take longer to dry , of class , but get the correct coverage , and hence recollective - full term durability , is usually deserving the additional time involved .
Temperature and humidity are the most important ambient conditions to consider.
Temperature can affect the eubstance of the polyurethane , its adhesion , and how long it takes to dry . Cold slows dry . Extreme passion can speed it up to the extent that the polyurethane becomes difficult to apply , particularly if play alfresco . Bear in mind that most exterior polyurethane can be used indoors , but interior polyurethane should never be used outdoors . The optimum temperature for software should be cross out on the can , and is usually somewhere between 65 and 70 degree Fahrenheit .
Humidity can also affect dry times . Not astonishingly it is water - base polyurethan that are most affected . It may dry too rapidly in lowly humidness , whereas it may not dry at all in high humidity . In placement where humidity is a major factor , oil - based polyurethanes are often the better choice .
How to Make Polyurethane Dry Faster
For many hoi polloi a key query is not how long does it take for polyurethane to dry , but the top concern is how can polyurethan be made to dry quicker . Here are a few suggestions that could zip up the process :
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