Did you know that satin polyurethane is really glossy? Let me explain.
We have finished all of the natural wood surfaces in the house using Minwax Satin Polyurethane. Seemed to be no problem initially. We were getting the expected results.
BUT when we would put on a second coat it would result in a very glossy finish that would get glossier and more plastic looking with each coat.
We though we maybe had gotten a bad batch of poly so we bought additional cans, but got the same glossy results. It had gotten to the point where I would steel wool the finish after it had dried to get rid of the gloss.
This morning while re-reading an American Woodworker magazine for the umpteenth time, I spied a small letter to the editor asking about the exact glossy poly dilemma we are experiencing.
Turns out that there is no such thing as "satin" poly.
Satin poly is really a glossy poly that has had a dulling agent added to cut the sheen. If the poly is not mixed prior to each use the agent settles out. I have seen this in the poly we have used. I thought it was cured poly from not sealing the can well between use.
Mystery solved. If you are using "satin" poly mix it before each use, but let the bubbles settle out before use so they aren't transferred with the poly to the finish.
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