At 50% relative humidity and 70°F, Interior Oil-Based Polyurethane will dry to touch in 3 hours. Under ideal drying conditions, allow 6 hours before recoating. Overnight drying is recommended. Drying time will be affected by temperature, humidity and film thickness.
If you are using a water based finish, such as the poly you mention, you would not need to 'tack' the surface between coats with a traditional tack cloth. A clean cloth dampened with water would be sufficient to wipe away any residual dust.
Oil Based Polyurethane Dry times
In order to fully cure, this finish typically requires at least 30 days.
If you do a second coat within 24 hours it'll have a chemical bond without the need for sanding. If more than a day passes between coats you need to lightly sand to give enough tooth for a physical bond.
A finish that remains tacky long after the expected drying time may be due to poor preparation, inadequate drying time between coats, or high humidity. To address this: Allow more drying time in a well-ventilated area. If tackiness persists, lightly scrub the surface with steel wool.
The ideal temperature range for applying polyurethane is between 70°F and 80°F. Temperatures below 65°F can significantly extend drying time, and below 55°F, the finish may remain tacky for an extended period.
Reapply. Two coats are recommended; however, for high traffic areas or abrasive conditions, more coats should be applied. Do not thin.
Prepare the polyurethane by reducing it about 10 percent with mineral spirits, unless you're using water-based polyurethane, which doesn't need thinning. Thinning the polyurethane makes it flow on more smoothly and reduces brush marks. Quick Tip!
Waterborne polyurethanes usually require a minimum of 3-4 coats to be effective. Although there is some evidence that too many coats can result in a plastic-like finish, waterborne polyesters are thinner than other types and therefore require several more coats to provide the same protection for hardwood floors.
If you don't invest time in sanding, your paint over polyurethane project won't be a success.
Apply Extra Heat. Applying heat is one of the best ways to increase polyurethane drying times. For example, some individuals will use a hair-dryer, a space heater, or a heat lamp to turn up the heat on a polyurethane coat.
DURABILITY: If each product is applied properly using quality products, the difference in durability is indiscernible. A lot of clients think that water based poly is not as durable as an oil based poly, but a newer brand, quality water based poly will last just as long if it is well taken care of!
There are two ways to tell if it is an oil-based product is dry. If it is no longer tacky and it doesn't smell, it is dry. You can tell if a water-based product is dry by touching it. If its cool to the touch, it's not dry.
I use new or just-washed microfiber cloths to clean camera lenses and computer screens, then they go into the pile I use as "tack cloths." Microfiber cloths can be washed, but great care must be taken to use detergents free of perfumes, oils, or anything else.
Use a lint free cloth that you can buy from a paint store, or as an alternative you can use an old t-shirt rag that has been washed dozens of times.
While the polyurethane molding is much more durable than wood– it does exhibit the qualities of wood, and one of them is possibly getting dented on impact (i.e., the impact of a vacuum cleaner on a baseboard). The polymer baseboards can withstand those blows.
One evenly spread coat will make your furniture water resistant. Most furniture builders, however, will put on three coats, with a very light sanding using 0000 grit steel wool, then using a tack cloth to remove any dust before applying next coat.
If it's going outside you may want to apply more! The more coats you apply, the smoother it usually gets as well. Ultimately at least two coats on the top is preferable unless you want a very rough feel to the finished product. With there being so many brands of poly what would you recommend as using?
Make sure to sand the polyurethane between coats. Sanding removes drips, bubbles and other uneven spots in each coat. Dry the first coat for a full 24 hours. If the coat feels tacky or sticky after that, let dry until it feels completely dry.
Water-based polyurethane is a popular choice for homeowners seeking a durable and eco-friendly floor coating. This finish is known for its low-VOC content, making it a safer option for families and pets. It dries clear and resists yellowing over time, ensuring your floors maintain their beauty for years.
Even though polyurethane is waterproof and weatherproof, if it's left in an area with high humidity levels or temperatures of more than 122° Fahrenheit (50° Celsius), the material will degrade. It should be kept away from these conditions to ensure that it lasts for as long as possible.
Dries to the touch in 1-2 hours and can be recoated in 4 hours. It is fully cured in 72 hours.
I prefer to use a wipe-on poly because it goes on thinner and does not leave the brush marks. You could sand what you have to smooth it, then thin the poly about 50% and use it as a wipe-on. Using it as a wipe-on applies it in a thinner layer and with it thinner it will also dry faster.