Opened a new can of Varathane Satin oil-poly and found a good bit of gunk/settlement on the bottom. Stirred it for a while but doesn’t seem to want to go into solution. Used their Gloss oil-poly last week and found a little settlement but not as bad and seemed to go into solution with some stirring.
Tried to call the company but tech support is only in during the week.
So is this a bad can or to be expected. Do I need to stir even longer. Was planning on using this tonight and tomorrow so have to decide if I need to go to store at the break of dawn before DW goes to work.
Thanks
Dan
Replies
It may have been on the shelf for awhile. Stir thoroughly, it may take at least five minutes. I would strain it before using with a fine mesh paint strainer. Hardware store finishes can have some age but if they haven't been opened, they should be fine. The semi-gloss has a silicate or similar additive to impart the satin look, so more gunk to blend in. It does not dissolve, it suspends. Stir occasionally while using.
Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
pghdan,
Are you really willing to risk all your hard work for the price of a can of finish?
Alan
Alan good point. I also posted this question over at Jeff Jewitts site Homestead Finishing. One of the responses I got was to empty most of the contents of the can and then add some solvent (mineral spirits in this case) and stir. Once the sediment was suspended combine it with the portion of the can I had poured off.
It worked like a charm. I think part of my problem was the can was so full. I'm also wondering if newer generation low voc poly may be more suseptible to this.
So any way I've applied some more coats so here is hoping it was good.
Dan
The "gunk" you found in the bottom of the can is the flattening agent or the material to make it look "satin". With oil-based polyurethanes you need to stir NOT SHAKE the product. All oil-based polyurethanes are like this. The agent is heavier in weight than the solvent used in the polyurethane. That is why it sinks to the bottom. It doesn't matter how long it sits on the shelf in a hardware store, if you don't stir to mix the different chemicals you will achieve poor results.
Cheers!
Dark Magneto
This forum post is now archived. Commenting has been disabled