How long before I can use my desk top after polyurethane?
Slusho
| Posted in General Discussion on
I’m finishing a beech butcherblock tabletop to use as the top of a standing desk with water-based polyurethane. I didn’t realize that oil-based stain shouldn’t be used with water-based polyurethane so I had trouble with the stain getting picked up during poly coating and had to start over but I really liked the stain so I reapplied and sprayed on the first several layers then used foam brushes for the final two (the last one being flat where the others were glossy, all Zar brand). I’ve seen online suggestions of 1-4 weeks before it’s fully dry. I will be putting a desk pad (large mouse pad) across a large portion of the surface as well as clamping monitor arms to it. Do I really need to wait a full month before I can use it?
Replies
Personally, I would wait the full month (unless the instructions have a more specific date) to let it cure. If done sooner, I would worry about indents in the finish from the clamping monitor arms. Then again, I tend to be on the conservative side of these things.
Actually, I just found this on Zar's website: "A minimum of 3 coats is required. Allow floors to dry for 24 hours before subjecting them to light foot traffic. Let them dry for 3 to 5 days before allowing moderate (normal) traffic or placing furniture. One week is required before maximum hardness is achieved. Do not cover floors with rugs before a week has elapsed." So I guess this stuff dries a lot faster than others?
Are you sure that website info is for their water-based poly? In my experience it dries very quickly- hours, not days. I know oil-based can take much longer. I just finished a coffee table with water-based poly and used it the next day. No offense meant, just checking
Well, there's a difference between using it and it being okay for things to be permanently placed on it. Placing rugs is always listed as the last thing that can be done. Most of the sources I find say 30 days but I'm sure that this is what Zar recommends for their water-based product. Since water-based dries faster than oil-based I'm thinking it doesn't actually have to be the full 30 days and they're just being totally safe.
Unless you're in a hurry I'd wait longer than they suggest for oil-based. The water based, as someone already said, dries pretty quickly to a usable hardness. I've used both and the water-based finish I used on my reloading bench got hard use the weekend after I completed the project. No problems, even clamping a magnifying lamp to the side. I forget the brand, but it was a local supply, probably HD or Sherwin Williams, nothing exotique :)
I've been waiting for three weeks only, and it was okay for my surface.
My experience is high-gloss, oil or water-based, takes longer to set. So, like Joe said, err on the side of caution. Take the 30 days.
But, just for shits 'n giggles, semi-gloss gives good results with less chance of peeling or taking dents. If you want a high-gloss finish, read Alan Noel's article on wet sanding in the 'Library' section on Highland Woodworking's site.
Good luck,
Mikaol
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