Final Dining Table Decision (Plus, The Worst Product I’ve Ever Used)

Nell

I think you’re problem might be using polyacrylic over oil base paint. Water base finishes applied over oil base finishes do not adhere correctly. Whether it’s paints, stains,sealers or floor finishes. Hope that helps

Kathy

Kristi, I’ve used it over latex paint several times with good results. The problem is large flat surfaces. I finally read an article that said you need to almost pour it on and use a squeegee to spread it and that it would settle itself. I used a paint synthetic paint brush and it worked just fine. It is just a little messy. And even then, be prepared to sand between coats.

Ches

I used paste wax on my kitchen table and two end tables I painted. It took a while to cure but I have been so pleased with the sealing results. Just a thought.

Rehj Hoeffner

I think where ppl are going is that you primed it with an oil-based product. My husband, who worked in a paint shop for many years, says, even a layer down, can’t mix them. Perhaps I am misunderstanding what you did to the table…it’s been through quite a journey!

Dorrie

I’m thinking that Rustoleum stain may now be Varathane, and I believe it’s available at Home Depot. I loved Rustoleum’s “Kona” but after finding it in a small can, couldn’t find anymore. Noticed the packaging for Varathane looked very similar to the Rustoleum and checked the back. Sure enough it had Rustoleum packaging info on it. They’ve even got their own page on the Rustoleum website! https://www.rustoleum.com/product-catalog/consumer-brands/varathane/

diane

When I apply polyurethane or water based poly or spar varnish, I always do two things. I use a really good varnish brush and use #0000 steel wool and buff the finish after it has hardened. I usually do at least two coats and then do a final buff. No brushmarks! And the finish is smooth as silk and looks beautiful.

I have also read that people feel regular varnish has a yellow cast and that is why they use the water-based.

Your decision o use oil-based is excellent and will give a great finish. You can also buff it with #0000 steel wool to remove any brush marks.

Lynner

What about Formby’s?

Jackie

I love their wipe on poly. It comes in a rectangular can and goes on fast and easy and has a very silky finish. I always have drips when I paint any topcoat on.
It will yellow though…

Sue2

How’s that teal color going to look with the green cabinets of the kitchen?

Alicia Hansen

I am very new to the furniture refinishing game. My friend who is more experienced uses Minwax Polycrylic and that is what I have been using. I am amazed how smoothly it goes on with a sponge. Just a car wash sponge. We cut them up into 4ths or 8ths with a bread knife and then use them to apply the poly. I think the key with polycrylic is that since it is water base and thinner your don’t try to put it on super thick. I have been doing 3 coats on my pieces and am very pleased with the results.

I love the teal! Best of Luck!

Allie

After lots of trial and error and crap products, I will only use the Sherwin Williams Enamel paint on my furniture from now on. It dries so hard and I never have issues with streaks or bubbles. It evens itself out and leaves a really nice, feel/finish on my furniture. You should look into it! My dad owns a painting company and its the only paint they will use on cabinets and trim because of the durability. I think it would work really well on your table.

Lynda

Hi Kristi, I don’t know if this will help or not but years ago my husband & I stained & polyurethaned an unfinished cabinet. After staining, the directions told us to add mineral spirits to the polyurethane. I had never done this before & wasn’t sure what to expect. The result was beautiful. It went on like glass and left absolutely no brush marks or bumps. I can’t recall for sure if it was mineral spirits or lacquer thinner, but a reputable paint store could direct u. Might be worth trying. You’ve worked so hard on this table–how frustrating the final step isn’t working the way you want. Good luck!

Diana

Every time I use polycrylic I wipe it on and have had no problem with the finish. Maybe because I put on many very light coats.

However, I am a big big fan of General Finishes too and use it whenever I can.

I feel your frustration.

Ellen

I have never seen General Finishes in a store here in Birmingham, but I would like to try it. You are so admirably diligent in your efforts! I would have probably set the table on fire out in the front yard, and found another one, but that’s just me. I am not known for my patience! (I actually did burn up a dresser stool in the fireplace once because I was so mad!) You do such fabulous work, it is a shame that you can’t get it exactly like you want it, but I do understand. I have never had much trouble with Polycrylic, but I sometimes add a little water to it by dipping my brush in the water every few times, and I prefer a satin finish. I occasionally use it over chalk paint in matte if there is a necessity to seal a top. I have always preferred Benjamin Moore’s sealer and primers both, so you might give those a try.

My husband used to work for Lowe’s, but I really never bought any paint for important projects there because they just did not carry great quality paint. If I found anything I liked, you can bet they discontinued it.

Justin

Just a bit of weird irony… In the ad block just above the comments section, Amazon is trying to sell me 4 different kind of Polycryllic. On your website. 🙂

Brette

You love to paint? Come to my house. I’ve painted 12 cabinet doors, 8 cabinet drawers and have 9 doors to go. (Just kidding.) I sympathize with your paint frustrations. I’ve got ’em, too. Today’s reformulated paints (EPA regulations) are harder to use than they used to be.

Lori

I recently tried Polyvine water based wax varnish over Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. It is a UK product. I love it! I ordered the satin finish online and after trying to apply it with a brush, switched to a Handiwipe. I thought why couldn’t I apply this like wipe on poly. It says to apply sparingly so I thought why not. Some of us painting with Annie Sloan are using it instead of the wax. I was really impressed with it. I used it on a dining table. Just a suggestion I’m passing along.

Laurie

Are you using oil-based or water-based polycrylic? I am currently painting all the wood trim in my house and my kitchen cabinets and have been using the semi-gloss water-based polycrylic on the trim and satin water-based polycrylic on the cabinets over water-based (Benjamin Moore cabinet/trim enamel) and have been getting smooth results. I have been using a very, very fine paint brush that is designed for final finishes to smooth the surface. (I am using oil-based primer under the paint). I’ve painted when it has been humid (though we had AC running inside but not in the garage where some items are painted). I’ve painted when it was dry outside and when it has been raining. Other than the drying time being longer on the wet or humid days, I haven’t noticed any issues. I’ve never tried Rustoleum poly since most of the stores near me seem to carry mostly the Minwax. Only issue I did have was when I stupidly tried water-based primer on the first cabinet door and it flaked so I striped it and sanded it down and redid it with oil-based primer. I have been using water-based primer on the trim though the enamel paint I got is also self-priming.

Surani

Hi,

For someone working at your level you probably want to move to a higher-quality brand, but I thought I’d share how I got Mixwax Polycrylic to work.

I put it on as gently as I possibly could with a brush, and I had streaks and – more importantly – thousands of tiny bubbles that dried on into a horrible mess.

Finally, I took some old pieces of 100% cotton T-shirts and crumpled some up to form a ball, and then covered the ball with 3 or 4 more pieces pulled tightly around to make a smooth surface. I twisted the edges of the cover pieces and tied them, and then dipped the smooth surface of the T-shirt ball into the Polycrylic and gentle wiped it on. With two layers I got a finish that made me happy (a pine captain’s bed stained with Minwax ebony).

Adam

This is much too late for you, but perhaps someone else can benefit from it. Apply polycrilic with a foam brush in straight lines. Keep a wet edge, but don’t apply too thick. After the poly has sat 1-2 minutes (even if the entire job is not finished) come back with a very light end-to-end brush stroke. Don’t do this multiple times if you can avoid it. When dry, sand (220-400) by hand just lightly enough to soften the high spots. The instructions recommend sanding between each layer but I’ve found the first sanding is by far the most important. Other applications should apply smoothly.

Also, the image above does not look like the polycrilic itself is giving the bumpy look. It looks like the paint was rolled on by a paint roller which produced that pattern. The layer of polycrilic, however, amplifies these imperfections.

Sam

general finishes gel stain is INCREDIBLE!!! highly recommend. used it on a maple table that was ugly orange, and it came out beautifully. then topped it with miniwax matte polycrylic, which actually got the job done (after 6 coats)

Alex

I absolutely love polycrylic. I haven’t found anything short of epoxy that is as durable. Your issue seems to be way too think of a base coat. It MUST be applied in several very thin coats literally brushing over it until it’s tacky and the sheen disappears. After 2 to 3 coats like this, then you can apply a little thicker, sanding between every 2 coats… The final coat can be like glass, but it still must be sanded with 400 up to 1500 grit, and buffed(after a few days of curing.)

The product is amazing, but it needs to be used correctly.