I love pulling out my glue, Moving from home to home certainly gives us the…ummm…”opportunity”…to deal with all sorts of unusual house features. Even if you don’t use the foam brush… buy the inexpensive wood handled china bristle brushes, and always apply light coats as theDIYgirl has described. Back to the drawing board. It took quite a while for the stink to go away and for me to let my son sleep in his room with the rocker. There was an error submitting your subscription. Application: Apply stain with foam brush. Polyshades is self leveling meaning that the wet edges of brush strokes will flatten themselves out. While I really did enjoy seeing this product work, I stopped short of applying it to Henry’s “new” bed, because I just wasn’t sure I could control it enough to make it look just right! Since I had leftover water based poly and I used the water based poly with the same technique to get a  beautiful finish on the bench I made for the entry  – I just worry about how durable it is. Apply a THIN coat of Minwax® Fast-Drying Polyurethane using a high-quality natural or foam brush. I use the term painting on intentionally, as that really is the best way to describe how to apply this product to furniture. A holiday season unlike any other is upon us! Squeeze the polyurethane from the foam until the … Its terrible….I ruined my tops of my nightstands and dressers. the doors are allready finished, but a fake wood color (same as the trim). I love PolyShades and especially love your chair make-over. I have gotten good at using it now, but at the beginning (yes on the drips!) If you’re looking for a true wood look with grains and color variation that look like stained wood, your better bet is sanding down to the raw wood and going with regular stain. For this application, it is really handy and a great time saver. Then lightly sand entire surface with fine sandpaper (220 grit) to ensure an even finish and proper adhesion. Have you ever used a sealer for the off gassing? The poly shades worked well to re-do dining room chairs but when I used it for a coffee table with the large surface area, I had problems getting a smooth, even finish. Using a rag also eliminates the bubbles you get when you apply Polyshades with a brush. I found a video where a guy thinned poly by 25% with mineral spirits and applied it carefully with a foam brush in one direction only. It's suggest to use a natural hair brush when doing poly. Photos and lighting are super tricky with dark wood, but I tried to get a close up of the finish on the chair all dried and cured (in the right photo, you can see the slight hazy streaks I was referring to on the lower-left of the arm of the chair). I got better on my outdated bathroom cabinets. This, The winter months put me in the crafty spirit more than any other season. The smell definitely went away – the chair stayed in my son’s room for years and is no transitioning into a new baby’s room. Years ago, on one of my first PolyShades® projects, I learned that foam brushes make sloppy applicators, as they apply an uneven coat and leave behind a trail of bubbles. Let dry 4-6 hours. So….it took me a while to get these thoughts into a post (sorry about that), but now I have my tips documented for both you and me (believe it or not, sometimes I forget about how I feel about certain products, so I often refer back to my own blog to refresh my memory) 🙂 To see my thoughts, tips, and tricks about other products I’ve used, you can read more here. now the trim looks like real wood. Good luck and hope it fades for you soon! I didn’t really notice it outside when I was actually working on the chair. (Use a separate can or jar.) Three quarts of gel stain, one quart of Polyshades, 15 foam brushes, a half-dozen paint brushes, 2 bags of rags, tons of sandpaper, gloves, liquid sander, TSP, a quart of rub-on poly, two … I’m super pleased with it. I also really needed to pay attention to what sections I had already done, as the product dries relatively quickly and it becomes difficult to determine which sections had been painted. I went in to check it the next morning and was thrilled. I thought applying polyurethane with a foam brush was pretty much considered heresy, but I was ready to wrap up this project and dreaded the clean up of using a brush. Inspiration Versus Actual: How Did It All Play Out. It’s been a really, really long time since I’ve worked with Polyshades but I do remember the drips being the biggest issue. Megan. You will be frustrated with the streaks in the poly and the colour streaks in the first two or … don't press … The wainscoting had been stained and polyurethaned but the windows and doors had been painted an ugly brown. I’m super pleased with it. I started out with black on some ugly oak chairs (I learned about the drips on these!) ?” and. I found this mission-style rocking chair at a yard sale for $20…and its transition from woe to wow is one of my favorite furniture updates I’ve done yet! Thanks for sharing your experiences! Yes, I think your best bet is to sand off just those areas (if they are really noticeable) and re-apply some light coats until everything matches! I’d love to hear if you have any tips to prevent those minor brushstrokes or  get rid of the sand-like grittiness I feel in some areas!Â, I not try PolyShades yet but I really try this when I get chance.http://lightningcnc.com. Apply the first coat of polyurethane using the best technique for the surface. I used over painted wood in our bedroom. View Profile View Forum Posts View Blog Entries Visit Homepage View Articles Member Join Date Oct 2007 Location Apopka, FL Posts 234. The foam will obviously cause bubbles to form and create a messy, uneven result. What a darling touch to your little one's room. i have allready done the trim, and it looks a lot better. Foam brushes are inexpensive (and disposable) and work well for most flat surfaces. It really is amazing how enhanced a microscopic dust particle is when it gets in you smooth finish. I can’t wait. 4: Sand between coats with a scotch brite style pad, this removes … As for the little bumps, those are from fine dust particles that got in the wet finish. Apply epoxies, urethanes, and other thick solvent-based coatings with the short and stiff natural bristles on these brushes. Most folks will use the foam brush, wrap it tightly in a plastic bag or zip lock bag to prevent the shellac from curing in the brush. But if you are refinish fine furniture, I can't say one way or the other if they should be used. The color is saturated and even, and it was relatively easy to accomplish (especially since the polyurethane coat is included without an extra step!) I wanted to keep the grey look but darken it a bit to look blackish. It’s been 2 weeks with fans and purifiers running and it’s no better. A while back, I chatted all about this “rockin” furniture makeover (ha.ha.ha.). Finish the surface with PolyShades within two hours of application of the Minwax conditioner. I ended up applying two coats of stain and sanded with some fine steel wool in between, as it does leave a slight (very slight!) Worked like a charm. Avoid Creating Foam. A bristle brush is more expensive than a foam brush. And clean-up is a breeze with soap and water. Should I lay it down flat for each side? Is it possible to apply resin like you would nail polish or varnish with a brush? Even though I gave a full tutorial for what all I did to the chair here on the blog, I wanted to chat a bit more about the product I used to “re-stain” the chair! Brushing a rounded, contoured or vertical surface is more likely to create drips. This stuff is actually better sprayed on if you have the right tools and practice. The Homes I Have Made is a DIY/home blog that features a steady rotation of rental-friendly and budget-savy DIY projects, organization solutions, home décor inspirations, and small craft ventures alongside real-life glimpses into our military lifestyle! The surface was gorgeous. The colour is not consistent and settles even as you are applying it on a small surface. So instead, I used it as an opportunity to try out a product I had read a ton about but never tried myself: Minwax’s PolyShades. Bristle brushes are better for molded edges and fine details. I learned by the end how to apply the stain just right without too many passes with the brush! Tip-off Finish. Since it is impossible to remove polyurethane from a brush using only water, finding an alternative cleaning method is a necessity for cleaning brushes. with a clean rag. I had some uneven issues. READ MORE. What an unbelievable stink! You can apply the first coat full strength or thinned up to half with paint thinner, making, in effect, a wiping varnish. Let some excess drip off back into the can, turning it both ways until that is mostly done, and then bring it to the wood surface. Unfornately, I have some dried drip areas and darkers areas that need to be fixed. In this installment of Quick Tips from Minwax®, wood finishing expert Bruce Johnson shows you how to change the color of your wood furniture without stripping it … Pretty cool, huh?!? But even after a few days of sitting out in the garage, it was too strong when I brought it into the room…so I had to leave it out in the garage for a good long while. Tipping off occurs by simply running the brush … but dries with a stained-like finish. ... Once you have the desired pattern, apply some clear finish to protect the surface. Each set includes a 1", 2", and 3" foam brush. Below, the left side of the chair has a single coat of PolyShades, and the right side has nothing yet. Today, Peel-and-stick wallpaper is one of my favorite ways to update our rentals. I thought applying polyurethane with a foam brush was pretty much considered heresy, but I was ready to wrap up this project and dreaded the clean up of using a brush. Still, it’s a bit temperamental (oh the drips!) I saw no problem for non-critical work. Instead, we found a 4-inch plastic putty knife to work very well. PolyShades® is a combination wood stain and polyurethane finish, allowing you to get both color and protection in one easy step. You really do need to work slowly, load your brush VERY little, and catch drips and puddles while they are still wet. Apply oil-based poly using a fine-bristled brush (natural or synthetic bristles) or a foam brush. I do agree with the smell. I was a bit skeptical that the PolyShades would result in a consistent color over the different tones without sanding, but I was going to give it a go anyway! and I don’t think it’s the right look for some pieces, especially anything with small details, vertical posts, or anything you really want to see the wood grain through. 4. I figure 6 coats of hand applied and 3 coats of brush applied should provide a nice protective finish. I had no idea that would be possible with foam brushes that you can throw out after use instead of cleaning. Allow it to dry and sand with very fine sand paper. Thanks for stopping by and sharing these insights! Remove any excess stain with a lint-free cloth, wiping in … Web Design Created with ♥ by TrendyThemes. First take your poly foam brush, and dip it at least half-way into the poly. (I also intentionally say look here, because yes, it looks like wood, but it does not have the same look and feel as stained wood grain.) 02-01-2009, 11:22 PM #7. Mix and stir as usual, and apply as necessary with a brush or foam brush. You will be SO MUCH happer with the poly you are describing. And while we may not be throwing big parties this year, Ready to shift your holiday gift crafting into gear?! I can’t remember how long it took, as it’s been years since I did the project. Apply a THIN coat of Minwax® Fast-Drying Polyurethane using a high-quality natural or foam brush. Please try again. I’m wondering if I should just get it replaced if the smell never truly goes away. I used polyurethane years ago, but don’t recall it being a total fail. Foam works well and eliminates the chore of cleaning, because the brushes are cheap and thus disposable. Apply polyurethane using a bristle or foam brush about 2″ wide. I used a foam brush to apply it and then a lint free cloth to rub it in all over. I love Polyshades for the repair existing varnish finishes. It’s now been a few years since I’ve worked with Polyshades, but will keep these tips in mind when I do so again! This holiday season, I am all about crafting in “bulk” to pull together lots of gifts really quickly. It’s the chair now featured in the corner of Henry’s new “big boy room”; and we use it for reading stories and cuddling! I think, When I first laid eyes on Cricut Joy, my very first thought was: “This a great thing to give college, It's Amazon Prime Day, friends! I checked for runs or excess and brushed problem areas in one direction until it looked like there was a uniform coating. It does eventually go away, and we’ve had great durability with the stain, so I hope it works out for your piece! Apply the polyurethane evenly and smoothly, overlapping your brush strokes to keep a wet edge, and don’t go back over the finished work once it has begun to dry. Before applying any coat and especially after sanding or using the steal wool, you should use a TAC cloth to remove those fine dust particles. To even out the surface I put a clear coat over the top to fix my sheen flaws. Yes, the smell is VERY strong. Should I sand those areas and then restain? I used foam brushes so that I did not need to deal with the mess of cleaning. For areas that require a brush, make sure you are using a good quality brush (Purdy is great). I poured some of the finish in a plastic cup, thinned it 25-30% with mineral spirits, and applied it carefully in one direction with a foam brush making sure I didn’t squeeze any bubbles from the brush. I specialize in renter-friendly and budget-wise décor and organizational solutions and feature a steady rotation of simple, practical, and approachable ideas for creating a home you love. Every year...around this time...this picture starts to circulate on Pinterest I’ll get texts from friends saying “Is this you?! Thanks for writing and I am so sorry for the delay in getting back to you! It has a nice finish but I’ll never use that stain again. Allow it to dry for five to 15 minutes, and then use a dry cloth to remove the excess. Almost two years later and not a scratch or scuff! Take on a variety of touch-up jobs with these lightweight, disposable foam brushes. However, it becomes very obvious once it’s all dry if you accidentally applied a second (or third) coat to a certain area and not everywhere else! Upon the first application there would be tiny bubbles but i just brushed back over it and the bubbles disappearred. I applied minute coats that appeared almost non-existent after 6 coats. It’s a stain and polyurethane in one and can be applied overtop existing stain. Honestly, it’s been so long since I did this project I don’t remember. Foam Brush Sets. That is nearly impossible with a foam brush or a bristle brush. Then I will go over it with wipe on poly. Its a miracle in a can. It’s pretty heavy, so I would rather not do that, but I also want it to look good! I’ve used a variety of hand applied rubbed finishes to get around using a more difficult finish. Let dry 4-6 hours. Thanks. Either dispose of the brush or if you desire, wash the brush under cold water. will minwax polyshades apply with a roller ok ? The first coat needs to be thin and I mean thin as they say in the instructions. I wanted to keep the grey look but darken it a bit to look blackish. It’s been 2.5 weeks and it still smells awful. Just to prove it here’s the result when I applied Polyshades stain with a foam brush in the past. Bruce has the solution: Minwax® PolyShades®. Spray less accessible areas with aerosol polyurethane. i want to go over all the interier doors in my place. Today. Sure, expensive bristle brushes allow you to spread the varnish out smoothly, but so does a forty nine cent foam brush. Especially in humid Florida. Bubbles can occur if you shake the can, so I’m very careful not to shake or … Any luck with this product? I’d say 2ish weeks for the really strong smell to dissipate? I sanded down edges after applying to give it a worn look. Avoid inexpensive bristle brushes, as these tend to leave obvious brush strokes. Even after we had let this chair sit in the garage for days, it still stunk up the house pretty badly. I realize this post is a few years old but I tried black polyshades today. Working with 2 part stain then poly is definitely easier as far as the application, but like you said, with this product you don’t need to strip down to the bare wood. Coat soft, porous woods such as pine or alder with Minwax Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner by applying it with a brush or cloth. People who love water-based finishes don’t know what they are missing. Don't forget to pick out a high-quaity, natural bristle brush. Let dry 4-6 hours. This method will result in a super smooth finish with no bubbles and no brush strokes. Thanks, Megan. It really reminded me of working with oil-based paint, as once it starts to set up, you can’t really go back and fix it without it being super noticeable. So it makes sense to use the lowest-tech, least expensive tool to do the job. In retrospect I suspect I have been studiously avoiding any use of varnish or polyurethane for fear of failure. Bill Keehn. Use a “tip-off” motion when stopping the application of finish on the wood. Maybe it’s my constant battle with floating yellow lab hair. Instead, I use a quality natural … After you’re done coating the surface, remember to “tip it off” by removing any excess polyurethane and spread it out more evenly with an unloaded brush. I found I had better luck using the foam brushes. Megan. Love your wood furniture, but not the color of the finish? Tired of losing your cords in the bottom of your purse or gym bag? Planning to use this on an wardrobe tomorrow, and wondering if it will work well on the vertical surfaces. I used the walnut shade and it made everything the same color. Smell aside though, we’ve been pretty pleased with the results. My only other real complaint with this product is the smell…it’s SUPER strong. I just wanted to share my thoughts about using this product, some things I learned along the way, and what kind of results you get since I couldn’t find a ton of great details on the product when I was researching it!). Are cheap and easy ways to update our rentals thin as they say the. 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Look, but not the color of the Minwax conditioner at using it now I!