What is the deal with the cost of wipe on polyurethane?
I love wipe on poly. It’s a great finish. I use it all the time. Or used to.
I had serious sticker shock the last time I went to the hardware store to buy a new can.
It seems like wipe on poly is not immune to the sometimes drastic rising cost of everything from electronics to eggs.
Why not make your own. It’s one of my guiding principles, and part of the ethos of this blog. Why buy it when you can build it? Or make it. Or fix it.
So, let’s make some wipe on poly.
You only need 2 ingredients: oil based polyurethane, and mineral spirits.
Mix them together in equal parts and you’ve got wipe on poly. That’s it. For less than 1/3 the cost of pre made wipe on poly.
Shortest how-to guide ever.
Aside from the obvious cost savings, another benefit of mixing your own is that you can adjust the ratio to achieve a thicker or thinner mixture, depending on the specific project.
Application
Wipe on poly is a very forgiving finish, but it takes patience, and many coats to get right.
1. Start with surface prep. Sand to your desired finish, 180 or 220 grit is what I recommend.
2. Wipe the whole workpiece down with a tack cloth or micro fiber cloth to remove sanding dust.
3. I prefer an old t-shirt or soft rag for application. Soak the rag and then wipe the poly on in even strokes. Don’t worry if the coverage isn’t perfect, you’ll get it on the next coat.
4. Let it dry thoroughly. This could take anywhere from an hour to a day depending on the consistency of your mix, and the ambient conditions.
5. After the coat is completely dry, sand lightly with steel wool, 320 grit paper, or a drywall sanding sponge.
6. Wipe down again to remove dust.
7. Repeat from step 3 until desired finish is achieved, anywhere from 2-20 coats. I’ve found that for a surface that won’t get much wear or contact, like a plywood ceiling panel, 2-3 coats is sufficient. For something like a table top that will be touched every day and encounter lots of wear, I’ve used as many as 12-15 coats.
Disposal
You must properly handle and dispose of any cloth or rags that have been soaked in polyurethane. They are a serious fire hazard and many house fires are started every year due to improper disposal of oil soaked rags.
Either place rags in a metal container, fill completely with water, and secure the lid, or spread or hang rags out on a bare concrete surface away from combustibles until completely dry. Follow guidelines regarding hazardous waste disposal.
In conclusion, wipe on poly is a great wood finishing option. If you use it regularly, make your own to save quite a bit of money, and have greater control over the consistency of the product.
