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Varathane application???
toad67
Member Posts: 13,009 ✭✭✭✭
Going to apply some varathane finish to some garage shelving to smooth out the plywood surface a bit. I've used the stuff quite a bit in the past, but today I need to do about 60 feet of shelving, by two feet wide and it will take forever with a brush. I'm guessing that the recommendation on the jug to not use a roller is because it will not lay down clear or flat. Not to worried about it, but don't want to have it look like crap either. Has anyone used a roller to apply this, or a similar product?
Comments
toad67, it can be thinned with mineral spirits in order for it to flow better. Try it on a piece of scrap to see if it gets you what you want.
That recommendation probably has to do with little fibers from the roller coming out and into the surface you're applying to. Like cbx said, if you thin it just a little it should smooth out. My thoughts are, what are you going to do about the edges where all the splinters are?
You could try a foam roller, no fibers, smooth finish, and when you get done just throw the roller away.
Joe
Get a decent brush and brush it! 60 feet is nothing.
You'll get bubbles if you roll it. BTDT! Try a 6 or inch wide foam applicator. You can cover a lot of ground quickly with one of those. Let it dry completely and sand lightly between coats.
Agree, its not good for rolling but might roll if you thinned it. I dont like thinning vara because you have to do several coats to get the protection benefit.
If you have spraying equipment and a compressor, you can really make it come out great. I used same HVLP sprayer I paint cars with.
You can also roll it on it and then come behind with a brush. I’ve seen it done lots of times.
I really wanted to get two coats on today, so I rolled the first one on to save some time. I had two smaller boxes/shelves that I also did, and put them outside in the sun to dry. The first coat on them really laid down good, but the shelves, not quite so much. Since I wanted to get two coats on today, I kinda rushed the first one, but since I need to sand between coats, I think it will turn out fine after brushing the second coat on.
Never rush toad67, when it comes to paint or other coatings. You will have these shelves for many years, a couple of days isn't a problem. Heat will make it dry faster but also gives it less time to flow. While on my soapbox, never rush to sand. 😀 Send us all some pics when you are finished.
Hoped to get two coats on today, but the lower temps and humidity kept that from happening. I was able to get my grass cut before a big thundershower came thru though, by about two minutes....
I'll sand and brush a second coat on tomorrow, with pics to follow.
I've had good luck rolling urethane with a foam roller IF you don't rush it.
Slow down and keep roller full. Rolling too fast or overrolling is when I've had bubble trouble.🙄
Spray it on?
After some sanding with 150 and a second coat, they are looking pretty decent. Gonna hit them once more tomorrow and then reload them. They're 10x10...
Looking good toad67.