Hello,
I need some help with a project. My painter has stained my faux grained fiber glass front door in place with 2 coats of Minwax gel stain using a brush and roller with some sort of fiber, which were not wiped off (and no sanding in between). He then applied one coat of Helmsman Spar Urethane GLOSS with a brush and again some type of fiberous roller. It looks pretty level from the side but dead on it looks ripply or kind wavey. My husband says its because the product isn’t filling in all the grain. In addition I’ve noticed some fibers from the roller as well as dust nibs stuck in the urethane. Originally my painter stated that I only need one coat of the spar urethane because he used a gel stain. I read on the can that since this is a new door, and it is exposed to the outside elements it should have at least three coats. After reading this, I asked him to apply another coat of the spar urethane which he said he will, but says he will not sand prior to applying the next coat. He’s concerned about sanding through to the stain. It’s been more than 72 hours since the first and only clear coat was applied. My concerns are these:
1. The wavy texture that we get when you look at it straight on. (Will that get better or worse with a second coat?)
2. Is it sealed properly with only one coat of the gloss for a new exterior door?
3. Is there an issue applying a second urethane coat without sanding given the amount of time it’s had to cure? (More than 72 hours)
4. I bought some 3M Sand Blaster Pro 400 extra fine no slip sand paper thinking if my painter won’t sand, I may have to, but I don’t want to ruin the door. How much chance do I have of sanding through to the stain finish if my just lightly sanding with only one coat (which seems pretty heavy) of the urethane?Please help!
Replies
start over and sand between coats
Gel stain is a stain, not a sealer, grain filler, primer like your painter seems to think it is. Its supposed to be wiped on, and then wiped off. And its just to give color not act as a "stain finish". Your film finish (the polyurethane) is supposed to give you the smooth texture, but only if sanded between multiple coats to fill the grain. Yeah I'd start over.
Why are you trying to fill the "grain" in a fiberglass door? Why are you using stain and spar varnish on fiberglass?
Your painter has no clue. But he may have done you a favor because the gel stain will make it easier to remove the poly.
All the products and methods you are refering to are not applicable to fiberglass, even if it has faux grain. Even on wood, gel stain has to be wiped off and allowed to dry before applying a varnish. In this case it was not wiped because the fiberglass would not absord any and wiping it would remove all color. Strip and start over with paint .
Thank you, I appreciate all your comments. I was wondering, aside from all the missteps, I am curious...if you were to apply a second coat of spar urethane, and taking into account the amount of time that has past (more than 72 hours) would you sand or not sand regardless if it’s the first or fourth coat?
I would not, Buuuuuut...Go with the manufacturer's instructions... with the realization that they never intended the product for the application. Hey, if you have a half a can left and want to try, go for it. The stripping process will not get exponentially more difficult.
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