JR Posted October 10, 2015 Report Share Posted October 10, 2015 I may have missed it.. But can I put varnish over a polycrylic finish? For some reason the polycrylic surface gets scratched very easily. And want to put a more durable finish over the poly instead of starting from scratch. Thanks in advance for the help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 11, 2015 Report Share Posted October 11, 2015 Probably. Lightly sand the polycrylic w 320 grit. Make a sample board first. Finish with polycrylic, let cure for a couple days, scuff sand and top coat with the oil based varnish and see how it works. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boatworks Today Posted October 12, 2015 Report Share Posted October 12, 2015 Providing the polycrylic is fully cured there should be no issues going over top with an oil based finish. The other way around *could* create issues with bonding, but even then it's possible after a long cure time. One thing to take note of is that the bond of the oil based finish is only as good as what it's bonding onto. If the surface was properly prepped prior to applying the polycrylic you should be fine. Just prep as Mike (above) mentioned and I think you're good to go. One last note, when you're sanding the poly, be careful not to sand through exposing bare wood. This will create blotches in the appearance as oil based finishes will give a different look than water finishes.Hope this helps! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean_NJ Posted June 4, 2021 Report Share Posted June 4, 2021 So the answer is “ it’s not known how it will work until a test sample has been created and evaluated” . . . Correct ?? Well , I’ll be applying the spar varnish today or tomorrow ( 6/4 or 6/5/21 ) . I’ll report back next week. I too am having difficulties achieving a thick looking , glossy coat with just my poly acrylic. Therefore instead of assuming it will work , we’ll know for sure next week. Of course even then , long term results won’t be known until long term time has passed. Sean . . . from NJ . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Sean_NJ Posted June 16, 2021 Popular Post Report Share Posted June 16, 2021 6/16/21 test results ( short term ) spar varnish over poly acrylic using untreated ¼” sanded ply. . . I feel the varnish will work. I can’t put into words the experience of applying varnish over poly acrylic because I’m not academically smart ( just being real ) . However the experience was not the same as let’s say spar varnish of traditional coatings such as stain. In the end , the varnish leveled off . Outside of my dust partial inclusions, the appearance was pleasing . After 3 day cure , I flexed the 4x2 ft test arrival 6 to 10” and did not notice any anomalies. The test article has now become a bottom surface to my plastic 4 shelf storage rack. If requested, I will give a 6 mo update as this piece will have endorsed the summer heat and the cool fall temps , by then. My appoligies in advance if I have put-off anyone who took their time to read this, as this is my 1st ever entry into any forum. I’m usually a reader of others. SEAN. 2 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted June 17, 2021 Report Share Posted June 17, 2021 Thanks, Sean! I am always curious to see results of experiments. Saves me from having to experiment quite so much, myself! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardA Posted June 17, 2021 Report Share Posted June 17, 2021 I tried poly acrilic on a surface that gets used a lot. That stuff peels off so easy. Never again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Askland09 Posted June 17, 2021 Report Share Posted June 17, 2021 Agreed. If its going to be a show piece rather than a touch piece I've had good success with polyacrylic. Did my first coffee table with the stuff and within 1.5 years the finish was shot. Refinished it with oil based, been 4 years now, no issues. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark J Posted June 17, 2021 Report Share Posted June 17, 2021 13 hours ago, Sean_NJ said: this is my 1st ever entry into any forum Welcome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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