Applying polyurethane varnish with paint roller and lambswool...

[walker_tr9]

I don't know about you, but applying varnish is a pain.  Especially, when you have a giant (non-arcade) cabinet to do it to.  I searched and searched for faster ways to do it than just a brush, and I saw this:

http://www.familyhandyman.com/DIY-Projects/Painting/Painting-Techniques/how-to-get-a-smooth-polyurethane-finish/View-All

I thought, hey here we go!  So I go to Blue and get some paint-rollers and roller pan, and I saw this lambswool pad.  It says it can be used for stains and finishes.  And it feels very soft.  It wasn't on my list, but I bought it anyway (thankfully!).

So I go home, get the roller pan ready with the polyurethane and the paint roller ready.  At this point, I realize I do not have the correct rollers.  I had forgotten that part on the web page above (I hadn't looked at it in quite some time).  I need the micro-fiber rollers.  Doh!

But, being the kind of guy I am, I go through with it anyway!  I douse the roller in mineral spirits (as per the web page).  I guess to keep the urethane kind of loose.  I then roll it onto one of the doors first, and guess what.  A mess!  Yes, a freaking mess of bubbles and chaotic unevenness!

I was so mad at myself.  Why would I think this would work?  I had even read online people saying that rollers are not good.  arghhhH!!!  I dropped the F-bomb several times and some pooh words, and then I saw the lambswool, unopened still.

I open it, read the directions.  "Beat the loose lint out."  Ok, done.  "Now rinse it and let it dry."   Hmmmm.... I ignore that because the stuff I just put on the door is supposed to be fast drying.  No time for a rinse.

So I go back to the door, still looking hideous, and I put the lambswool down (it has a nice wood handle to hold onto).  I then slide the lambswool along the door in a nice even stroke.  I see that the poly is nice and smooth!  No bubbles.  In fact, I have never been able to get a varnish finish that smooth with a brush.

I was ecstatic!  I finished the door and did the other doors.  Everything looked fine.  I then did the whole cabinet.  I was able to do everything in half the time than when I did it with a brush.  I think I can do it faster, now that I know the technique.  Plus there are some nooks and crannies that I can't get with the roller.  I checked it after it had dried and it looked just fine.

Before I sing more praises of this, some disclaimers.  There was one coat of poly already on, and it had been sanded.  That makes it easy to slide the lambswool across without it catching.  For the first coat of poly, I think I should be able to do the paint roller, then use a brush to smooth it out (brush won't catch on any roughness).  Of course, the brush is a little smaller than the lambswool pad.  Another possible issue, is that some fibers from the lambswool may come off.  But I didn't find it to be a big issue.  And any fibers that did get stuck should come out with the sanding.

So there!  You roll the roller in the pan, then roll it on the surface (probably 15 seconds).  Then you sweep over the surface with the lambswool.  I'm never going back!  I will always do this method.  You can clean the roller and the lambswool and reuse it.  You can't lose!

After all my searching online, I could not find this method (except for that link above).  I also never saw anything about lambswool, though I'm sure if I search now I probably will find it.  But most of these shmoes say "Use a brush."  "Nice slow strokes."   Screw the brush!  I will never use (only) a brush again for poly application, except for small tight spaces.

So, what's wrong with this method.

[alton]

Nice post. I like it. Thanks for sharing these information. Keep it up.  

[Dervacumen]

Great tip.  Every time I've needed to use polyurethane I was unhappy with the results.  I'll have to try this out.  I've been putting off refinishing a few cabinets.  This might inspire me.

[drventure]

I may have to give this a shot too. However, I've always had really good results with Minwax Wipe On Poly.

Get a nice lint free cloth (or an old, but clean, sock), pour out some poly on it and wipe it on.

When you're done, let dry, run it over with some fine steel wool. vacuum, and apply another layer of poly. Maybe a third for table tops, etc.

For large areas, though, the roller/lambswool would probably work better.

I've always wondered if those HVLP guns would shoot poly decently.

[walker_tr9]

Only thing about the wipe-on poly, that I have read, is that you have to do more coats (because it is thinner).  Other than that, it supposed to be a good way too.

Also, I think you can buy huge lambswool mitt for putting poly on large surface areas, like floors.

[runawayabc123]

Did you use the lambswool like the foam brush after the roller to smoth it out?  (I've found directions for roller/foam brush.) 

What kind of lambswool did you use?  A roller?  A pad?  Was it a "like I am painting" move?  Or more of a hover over and get the bubbles out? 

Did you ever get/use the microfiber rollers? 

Thanks!

[walker_tr9]

runawayabc123,

I guess the answer to your first question is yes.

I used a 4" x 6" pad that had a wooden handle.  unfortunately, I cannot find a pic online to post.  The pad was in full contact with the surface; I was even pressing down with a small bit of pressure.  I would certainly suggest you shake out the pad as much as possible to get the loose hairs out.  Once it is wet with poly, it should be fine, though you may get the occasional hair to come off.

However, when I did this, I used a brush on the first coat, then used the lambswool for the rest.  This matters b/c before the first coat goes on, the wood is bare and so the lambswool fibers could catch on it.  I guess if you really sanded the wood it might be fine, but I didn't.

I did not try the micro-fiber rollers, though they may work also.  I saw these small rollers in walmart that were kind of hard to the touch that might also work too, but I am just guessing.  You could even try a combination of micro-roller first, then lambswool.

You may also be able to smooth it out with just a brush.  The point of using the giant paint roller first is to get the poly on the wood.  Then, you could maybe use a large brush to run down the length of the wood to smooth it out.  This should also work on bare wood and be faster, b/c the "old way" requires you to go back and forth with the damn brush to keep applying the poly.

Hope that helps.