Varathane No Odor Floor Finish: Disaster

[Do It Yourselfer]

Long story short: A couple years ago we sanded and stained a beautiful hardwood floor that the previous owners covered with carpet…. Unfortunately, we did not get to the sealer. The floor stain is faded and you can see where the dogs would dig in for traction and a few minor scratches from daily living on the floor. We are now getting ready to seal the floor but not sure if we should do a lite sanding and re-stain or if we could get away with no sanding. We cleaned and tack cloth a small area and the husband used a small natural bristle paint brush to apply the polyurethane…. It went on white as we expected but it never did go clear. He did not stir it but he did say he shook it (He does not read instructions…. Ever!) Can I sand that spot and start over? And I promise I will STIR it well before applying and during the application. 
Thank you for your help!

I attached a picture of the “spot” for a visibility.

Frustrated do it yourself’er!

[wtnhighlander]

Someone more expert a floors will speak up, I'm sure, but my opinion is that the best route is to lightly sand the entire floor, re-stain as desired, then apply the top coat. In my experience, spot repairs of surface finish are very difficult to blend smoothly.

[BillyJack]

It’s going depend on the stain, and finish?

 

What did you use?

[Chet]

And let your loving husband know that you should NEVER shake a finish, it will cause bubbles when you apply it.  Plus when you stir it you are more likely to get the solid that settle to the bottom mixed in properly.

[Do It Yourselfer]

Thank you…. That was my plan to start with. I guess I just picked up another project ….. LOL!

P.S. How do you attach a photo to your posts?  

[Do It Yourselfer]

On 6/22/2025 at 7:31 AM, BillyJack said:

It’s going depend on the stain, and finish?

 

What did you use?

 

On 6/22/2025 at 7:26 AM, wtnhighlander said:

Someone more expert a floors will speak up, I'm sure, but my opinion is that the best route is to lightly sand the entire floor, re-stain as desired, then apply the top coat. In my experience, spot repairs of surface finish are very difficult to blend smoothly.

 

On 6/22/2025 at 7:31 AM, BillyJack said:

It’s going depend on the stain, and finish?

 

What did you use?

The stain is minwax in Jacobean and the polyurethane is Varathane no odor floor finish 

[Do It Yourselfer]

On 6/22/2025 at 7:31 AM, Chet said:

And let your loving husband know that you should NEVER shake a finish, it will cause bubbles when you apply it.  Plus when you stir it you are more likely to get the solid that settle to the bottom mixed in properly.

I read the instructions to him last night….. He thinks he knows it all.

[Beechwood Chip]

On 6/22/2025 at 10:32 AM, Do It Yourselfer said:

P.S. How do you attach a photo to your posts?  

Unfortunately, new members are not permitted to post photos.  I don't know exactly how many posts are required.  

[Ron Swanson Jr.]

I would do an honest estimation of the money you'll spend on finishing supplies, renting a sander (assumption), brushes, etc. And the time it will take you, and then compare that with hiring a pro. 

Some things are best left to the professionals and anything as visible as your floor is definitely in that camp in my view. 

[Do It Yourselfer]

Should I scrape the stuff off the lid and mix it in or should I just scrape it into the trash?

On 6/22/2025 at 7:49 AM, Beechwood Chip said:

Unfortunately, new members are not permitted to post photos.  I don't know exactly how many posts are required.  

Wow…. When will I be able to attach photos?

[Do It Yourselfer]

On 6/22/2025 at 8:09 AM, Ron Swanson Jr. said:

I would do an honest estimation of the money you'll spend on finishing supplies, renting a sander (assumption), brushes, etc. And the time it will take you, and then compare that with hiring a pro. 

Some things are best left to the professionals and anything as visible as your floor is definitely in that camp in my view. 

I appreciate your honest opinion. And we did just that before we started (a couple years ago) 

I am super handy and have a bunch of common sense, I read direction (and follow them, and I am not afraid to ask questions (the reason why I’m new here) 

we should have sealed it right after the stain was dry…. But we didn’t. I like to do things from start to finish (no exceptions) my other half is not like me! 
I will finish our floors by myself and they will be AMAZING!

[Mark J]

You should be able to post pictures at this point.  Look for the paperclip icon and Add Files button when posting.

[Do It Yourselfer]

On 6/22/2025 at 8:49 AM, Mark J said:

You should be able to post pictures at this point.  Look for the paperclip icon and Add Files button when posting.

Thank you!

I added my photo!!!!

[wtnhighlander]

That is very white for a clear finish. Possibly a saturation of fine bubble from shaking, but are you certain it isn't tinted?

Another possibility would be the tiny, light-scattering particles that settle out of inadequately-mixed satin or matte finishes, but those usually collect at the bottom if the can.

[BillyJack]

On 6/22/2025 at 9:31 AM, Chet said:

And let your loving husband know that you should NEVER shake a finish, it will cause bubbles when you apply it.  Plus when you stir it you are more likely to get the solid that settle to the bottom mixed in properly.

Really? You can shake poly. 
 

For education… When can you shake polyurethane?

 

I used Miniwax Early American stain..

 

Whats in the bottom of the can? Flattener

[Do It Yourselfer]

On 6/22/2025 at 11:19 AM, wtnhighlander said:

That is very white for a clear finish. Possibly a saturation of fine bubble from shaking, but are you certain it isn't tinted?

Another possibility would be the tiny, light-scattering particles that settle out of inadequately-mixed satin or matte finishes, but those usually collect at the bottom if the can.

I can’t guarantee that it was actually shaken. Yes, I am positive that it’s clear. I’m pretty sure that it was not shaken or stirred and it had separated, so when it was applied it was only the thick white stuff…. Once I had it stirred it should go on and dry clear like it’s supposed to. 
I will post pictures!

[drzaius]

Remember to periodically stir the finish as during application.

[dwilliam]

I totally feel your frustration, been there myself. Yes, you can definitely sand that spot down and start over. Shaking can cause bubbles and improper mixing, which might explain why it stayed cloudy. A light sanding and proper stirring (not shaking!) before and during application should give you a smooth, clear finish. If the overall stain looks uneven, a light re-sand and touch-up before sealing might be best. You’ve got this, DIY lessons learned the hard way.