To remove brush strokes from polyurethane, specifically on the third coat of General Finishes High Performance Polyurethane, you need to sand the finish and apply another layer.
Brush strokes can sometimes appear during the application of polyurethane, especially on later coats. Fortunately, they can often be corrected to achieve a smooth, professional finish.
Fixing Brush Strokes on Polyurethane
Based on the provided reference, the method for removing brush strokes involves a two-step process: sanding and reapplying. This approach is effective for smoothing out the existing strokes and allowing a new coat to level properly.
The Process
Here's how to address brush strokes, drawing information from the reference regarding the third coat of General Finishes High Performance Polyurethane:
- Sand the surface: Using a 220-grit foam sanding pad, carefully sand down the final finished layer where the brush strokes are present. This action helps to level the surface by reducing the height of the stroke ridges.
- Apply another coat: Add another layer of the same polyurethane topcoat (General Finishes High Performance Polyurethane).
- Apply this coat more liberally than you did previously.
- Avoid heavy back-brushing. Applying more product liberally helps it to self-level, while minimizing back-brushing prevents re-introducing strokes.
This method focuses on correcting the surface texture by smoothing it out and then applying a fresh coat that is allowed to flow out and level without the impediment of previous brush marks.
By following these steps, you can effectively address brush strokes and achieve a smoother polyurethane finish on your project.