Sand between every coat of poly?

[MilDoc]

Usint Minwax Polycrilic, which says on the can to sand after 1st coat. Says may apply 3 or more coats, but doesn't say to sand between every coat. So, do I sand after all coats? How about after the last coat?

[hitekrednek]

As a general rule, I would recommend some degree of sanding between all coats of synthetic finishes.

[kwgeorge]

I used Minwax Polycrilic on the Walnut Sofa table I made and I used the Minwax Polyshades on the little table I made for the contest. Yes, I think you should sand after every coat. On the table I sprayed like 6 coats to achieve the color I wanted and sanded between each coat. I progressed in grits with each coat and ended up wet sanding on the finial coat. Although the stuff dried nice and was pretty good looking it just felt gritty to me when I touched it so I sanded.

[monte]

I always sand between coats. Be sure to clean the project completely before applying the next coat.

[Ken Massingale]

Paul,
You've sanded to 220 at least before the first coat. After the first coat is dry you will find the finish is 'rough' again. The finish raises the cut pieces of the wood fiber, making little 'nibs'. I sand this with 320 grit, then add another coat. Feel the finish again. If it is still quite rough, sand again with 320. Usually after about the 3rd coat most of the grain raising will disappear. At this point change to 0000 steel wool to sand between the coats. Remember, be gentle with the sanding, you just want to remove the nibs of wood fiber, not remove the coat of finish you just applied. As Monte said, clean throughly after sanding with a tack cloth.
HTH,
ken

[Tundra_Man]

I do a good rub with 0000 steel wool between coats of poly. With water based finishes, you want to make sure you get all the wool dust out of the pores before the next coat, otherwise the wool dust will rust and discolor your project. I just run a magnet over the whole project prior to using a tack cloth. Makes my tack cloth last longer too.

[don_hart]

I sand between each coat when applying poly except when applying home mixed wip on poly. If using the wipe on poly a apply 2 or 3 coats then sand then apply additional coats without sanding.

[John Hunter]

I use a system called Micro Mesh https://www.micro-surface.com/ I sand between each coat up to a 3,200 grit then after the last coat I sand all the way to a 12,000 grit which produces a finish that is amazing.

[vinht]

MilDoc,

Check out this thread for another option, http://www.bt3central.com/forum/topi...TOPIC_ID=16324.

Vinh

[MilDoc]

Thanks folks. That idea of using cardboard or brown bags is interesting. I think I'll give that a try on a sample piece.