Lightly sand with a dull 120 to 150 grit abrasive screen or #2 steel wool under a heavy floor buffer. Sand the small bubbles and drip marks with fine grit sandpaper. Apply the first coat of polyurethane, thinning it out with up to half of its volume of paint thinner. In a couple of hours, the dried poly just peels right out of the pan. You can create such an area by hanging an inexpensive vinyl shower curtain in a corner of your shop. Much less expensive and invasive. I keep a can of spray poly handy in case of bubbles. The process: 1. 4-6 hrs before you can walk on the floors; Hours 6-24, you can walk on the floors with socks. Also, we have noticed what looks like dust or sanding particles in the finish. Avoid shoes and bare feet. When applying polyurethane on vertical surfaces, you may experience drips or runs. With your workpiece wiped clean, apply stain, photo below. Can polyurethane floors be recoated? Typically, when you are thinning out oil-based polyurethane or oil-based varnish, you will be working with mineral spirits. (Skip the stain if you intend to leave your workpiece natural-color.) After each coat, re-dip the roller in mineral spirits and put it into a zippered plastic bag for the next coat and leave the wet tray to dry. Then, prep your floor by sanding and cleaning it. Many times you can recoat your exisiting finish by buffing it down and applying a new coat over the old. Q: How soon after the third coat of poly can you walk on polyurethane floors / hardwood floor?How soon after the third coat of poly can you put the furniture back on the floor? 2. If Minwax® Sanding Sealer is used prior to Super Fast-Drying Polyurethane for Floors, apply following the label directions. When replacing furniture, do not slide. Start by choosing a type of polyurethane (oil or water-based) as well as a finish (matte or glossy), and make sure your work area is well-ventilated. First of all, you need to think about ratios. The floor poly just has a harder finish that would wear better for foot traffic. Between coats of polyurethane, examine the surface of the wood for imperfections in the finish. You can then apply three coats of polyurethane to your floor, allowing each coat to dry, then sanding it and cleaning the floor in between coats. Even though it does dry quickly, keep in mind that every finish needs time to “cure” and harden. Let it be, and it will flatten out. The usual ratio is about 3 or 4 parts varnish to one part of the mineral spirits. To be safe, I wait 72 hours before moving the furniture back into the room (but you can walk in stocking feet after 12-18 hours). Avoid heavy traffic, and do not install rugs or clean floors for seven days. It's best to apply polyurethane to flat (as in level) surfaces so the finish can self-level and is less likely to drip. 3. Either poly would have the same appearance. Hand sand corners, edges and under cabinet kick plates. This will allow the finish to dry faster, so you can sand the surface sooner. Yes, a polyurethane-finished hardwood floor may have additional coats of polyurethane applied. Apply stain and poly Move to a low-dust setting: somewhere without lots of foot traffic and with dust-free surfaces. The pro’s will call it a buff and recoat. For a perfect finish use sandpaper between polyurethane coats. A light mist knocks them out. Using a wax, furniture polish or other kinds of products will cause an adhesion issue for new polyurethane (it will bubble and peel off like a sunburn). If you already have an open can of the floor poly I would go ahead and use it otherwise I would save money and get the standard poly. And, make sure your pets don't walk on the floors … Drying and curing times are increased in high humidity, so always be cautious before using your freshly-finished floor. 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