JadeVib

6 / 9

Start the Polyurethane Spray Paint off the Edge

It’s hard to get even coverage if you start or stop spraying on the surface you’re coating. The spatters that happen when you first push the button can blemish your work, and products like polyurethane spray build up in one spot if you don’t move fast enough.

Here’s an easy and foolproof way to avoid these problems: Start spraying before you reach the edge of the project, move across at an even pace, and stop after you’ve gone past the far edge. This technique guarantees an even, spatter- free coat of finish across the entire surface. Next, get to know if you can spray paint wood.

7 / 9

Seal Dark Stains and Exotic Wood With a Mist Coat

Spraying a heavy coat of finish over dark wood stains or some oily exotic woods can ruin your project’s appearance. The solvent in the finish can dissolve the stain or the color in the wood, causing it to bleed or turn muddy. To avoid this, prime these types of projects with several thin mist coats before applying a thicker coat of finish.

Apply a mist coat by raising the can higher than normal and moving it faster than usual. This will reduce the amount of spray hitting the surface. Mist coats dry quicker than a full coat, so you can typically apply several mist coats with less-than-normal waiting time. Wait for the previous coat to dry to the touch before re-coating.

8 / 9

Brush, Then Spray

At $4-plus per aerosol can, it gets pretty spendy to build up a smooth polyurethane finish on a large project. But you can still take advantage of the flawless finish provided by aerosol cans.

Start by applying two coats of finish with a brush. Then carefully sand with 220-grit sandpaper and remove all dust before using spray cans for the final coat. If you don’t know much about finishes, just make sure your liquid and spray polyurethane finishes are the same type.

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