I tried a new water based poly on a maple table last month and it just didn't build a film like the old oil based stuff.

3 comments

3 Comments

Did you scuff sand between coats? I mean, I've found some of those water based ones need a really good scratch for the next layer to grab onto, otherwise it just sits on top.

hunt.hayden28d ago

Nah, I skip sanding between coats most of the time. If the first coat is fully dry, the next one bonds just fine for me. I've never had a problem with it peeling off.

alexpalmer28d ago

Yeah, it really depends on the paint. With a lot of the modern acrylics, you can get away with it if the first coat is bone dry. But I learned the hard way on some trim. Used a cheap satin without sanding and the second coat just slid around like it was on glass. Had to sand it all back and start over. Now I always give it a quick pass with a fine sanding sponge, just to be safe. Takes two minutes and saves a headache later.