Replies

1. 
   jackplane | Jun 24, 2004 07:09pm | #1

   First, strip the old finish. My guess is the stain has not had time to cure and is causing adhesion problems with the polyurethane. Give it at least a week to dry before topcoating, two is even better.

     Another approach is to use the minwax stain n poly product premixed, though this doesn't give you as much control over the color tone.

2. 
   nikkiwood | Jun 26, 2004 08:16am | #2

   I agree with Jackplane. The only time I have ever had a problem is when I did not give an oil based stain adequate time to dry. But even then, it did not cause the finish to lift; it just took forever to dry.

   Yours is the second post in the last couple of weeks where someone was having trouble with Minwax poly. Maybe you want to try another brand.

1. 
   Ecbntmkr | Jun 26, 2004 04:14pm | #3

   Thanks for your posts. I thought that might have been the problem the first time before I stripped it down, but why both times in the same spot and not anywhere else on the piece? I felt that I allowed plenty of time for the stain to dry the second time. Thanks for your input though, I will give the advice a try.

   Eric

1. 
   nikkiwood | Jun 26, 2004 09:17pm | #4

   Why lifting in the same spot?

   If you gave the stain adequate time to dry, that argues there was some sort of contamination on the problem spot -- maybe something was spilled on the board before it ever came to you.

   How about staining the piece, then applying a coat of dewaxed shellac (Seal Coat by Zinsser) before you proceed to the coats of poly?

   If there is some invisible contaminant lurking beneath the surface, the shellac should seal it off and allow the poly to adhere.