what to do when polyurethane doest want to drty

A clear coat of polyurethane is a great way to protect a stain finished piece of work arts and crafts from fading fast. And it is quite often the final step you'll take before patting yourself on the back for a chore well done.

So it can be frustrating having to sit around twiddling your thumbs whilst you expect for those poly layers to dry in-between coats.

Merely what happens when a poly glaze stays sticky because that polyurethane is not drying?

There are a few reasons why that polyurethane coat hasn't dried. If the coat of poly is besides thick, information technology'll have longer to dry. If the weather is peculiarly cold or boiling, then polyurethane needs more fourth dimension to dry out and cure.

Is it all really that simple? Or are there some things yous can do to get that poly to dry sooner rather than later? Keep reading to notice more…

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Polyurethane Not Drying? The 5 Master Causes

There are commonly 5 main reasons why a polyurethane coat struggles to dry;

1. Not Enough Time

This seems like a simple respond, just waiting a little longer for the polyurethane to dry can solve this problem.

The consequence of not waiting long enough for the poly to dry out tends to crop up as a result of non knowing which blazon of polyurethane you are using.

In that location are two main types of polyurethane coats; oil-based and water-based.

A key departure betwixt the two is visual; water based poly'south are clear, whilst oil-based ones have an amber tone to them.

But, another major departure between these two poly's is their drying time. Water-based polyurethane can dry out much faster than their oily counterparts. In fact, they dry in every bit picayune as a third of the time of an oil-based poly.

How Long Does Polyurethane Take To Dry? Water-based polyurethane takes four to 6 hours to dry, and takes upwardly to 2 weeks to cure. Oil-based polyurethane, on the other mitt, takes a minimum of 24 hours to dry out. And information technology can take up to 30 days to cure.

Dry Polyurethane v Cured Polyurethane Explained:

Drying and curing are used interchangeably when describing drying times for finishes. However, they describe two different things.

When a polyurethane glaze is referred to equally being dry, it is when solvents in the poly have evaporated, causing the polyurethane to plough from a liquid into a solid film coat.

But when polyurethane cures, we are referring to a chemic reaction that changes the polyurethane coat into a hard tough resin.

2. Depression Room Temperature

A fast drying polyurethane takes around 4 to half-dozen hours to dry out at room temperature.

However, if the weather is particularly cold, information technology can take much longer to dry.

3. Coating Besides Thick

Ideally, when you lot apply polyurethane, you need to be stingy with it. Each coat should exist brushed on thinly using a natural bristle castor (although a foam brush will do).

And if you want polyurethane to offering more protection, then apply additional coats (each one as as thin every bit the last). Thin coats will become a long manner towards improving drying speeds, (as opposed to simply slapping on a thick poly glaze or ii).

4. Lack Of Air Movement

Letting polyurethane dry in an surface area that has a bit of air movement is really important. Cracking open a window, (or even letting the forest craft dry outside if possible), will assistance that viscid coat to evaporate away.

5. Poly Has Gone Off

The shelf life of polyurethane is a finite 1. Don't get me incorrect, it tin can even so last a skillful long while. In fact, after you open that container, well-stored polyurethane can terminal 10+ years.

However, if that polyurethane starts to look all congealed and gunky, and then it might be high fourth dimension to replace it with a fresh can.

At present, y'all could try to sparse out congealed polyurethane using mineral spirits. Notwithstanding, getting the poly back to its original consistency doesn't mean that it volition back to its original usability. In other words, you'll observe information technology much easier to simply ditch that onetime poly completely.

How Do You Properly Shop Polyurethane? Polyurethane should be stored in an air-tight container. That container should then be placed in a cool dry place, away from directly sunlight.

So, How Practise You Become Polyurethane To Dry?

A. Turn Upwards That Dry Heat

Attempt moving the polyurethane coated work piece to an expanse that is warmer. Fifty-fifty something equally simple as turning upwardly the thermostat punch tin can aid.

What Temperature Does Polyurethane Need In Order To Dry out? If using a quick-dry poly, such as Minwax's Fast-Drying Polyurethane, then y'all want to let it dry in a room with the temperature fix at 77°F (25°C)

Does Polyurethane Dry Faster In The Dominicus?

No, it does not.

Absolutely, the heat of the dominicus may speed upwardly the drying procedure. Withal, those direct UV rays from the sunday can damage typical polyurethane articulate coats.

Now, there are some poly finishes that comprise UV blockers. So, once the polyurethane is cured, those UV blocker additives can assistance to foreclose fading and graying due to sunlight.

Merely while the polyurethane is notwithstanding wet, (and far from fully cured), it's best to err on the side of circumspection and avoid placing it under straight sunlight.

B. Turn On That Hair Dryer

So, can you dry polyurethane with a hairdryer? Yep, you can. Y'all would do this by applying directly heated airflow to the sticky poly.

It is a time suck though, as you will need to betoken the hair dryers nozzle right up close to information technology, department-by-painstaking-section.

Yet, this isn't really a adept option for drying poly. Why? Well, personally, I would exist worried almost all of that high-powered air kicking up grit, but for that dust to commencement sticking to the yet-wet coat.

Plus, information technology is hard to get the unabridged surface to dry evenly when you are applying heat in such as spot-specific way.

C. Turn On The Dehumidifier

Lowering the humidity in the room tin work wonders. So placing a dehumidifier nearby to help reduce the moisture in the air.

Tin Yous Speed Upwardly Polyurethane'due south Drying Time?

The real question you should exist asking yourself isn't if you tin can, only rather if y'all should.

Making it easier for polyurethane to dry (air flow, higher estrus, etc) is one thing. However, you still want that poly finish to dry at a applied pace (which is another reason why I don't like the hair dryer option).

When polyurethane dries too rapidly information technology can brainstorm to crack. And when that happens, you lot are going to end up wasting time trying to sandpaper those fractures abroad subsequently on.

So, if you lot want polyurethane to dry quickly, your best selection is to simply purchase and utilize a fast-drying polyurethane correct from the start.

Minwax Fast-Drying Articulate End Polyurethane is dandy on interior wood surfaces such as furniture, crafts, doors and cabinets. It can dry in as little as 4 hours, yet it is nevertheless incredibly durable.

Check out the latest prices for Minwax Polyurethane Stop over on Amazon.com

Last Thoughts

Getting polyurethane to dry properly is more than nigh doing a few double checks before you begin applying it. Then, beforehand, make sure that you;

Use a quick drying poly cease.
Make certain each glaze is thinly layered.
And let it dry in a depression humidity surface area where the room temperature is around 77°F (25°C).

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Source: https://www.thewoodworkplace.com/polyurethane-not-drying/