bubbles in polyurethane

[Tony]

      how to remove bubbles from polyed project? ??? : ???

      how to prevent future bubbles? ??? : ???

                       Tony  8)

[bedway]

If your shakeing it, vrs. stirring it prior to application, thats your problem,,bedway

[Dodgy Loner]

Lots of things could cause bubbles in your finish.  Like bedway says, poly should be stirred, not shaken (James Bond be damned).  If you use a foam brush, brushing too fast will cause bubbles.  Try a long, slow brush stroke, and don't mess with it after you brush it on.

To get rid of bubbles, wait until the poly is well-cured (3 days is best, but no less than 24 hours) and sand with 180 or 220 grit until the bubbles are gone, then re-coat.

[beenthere]

When the bubbles show up, I use a torch and pass over quickly to get the bubbles to rise to the surface and pop. Especially useful when using the two-part pour-on poly finishes.
But avoiding the bubbles in the can is most important too.

[Mooseherder]

When the bubbles show up, I use a torch and pass over quickly to get the bubbles to rise to the surface and pop. Especially useful when using the two-part pour-on poly finishes.
But avoiding the bubbles in the can is most important too.

That's how I do it also. The cheapo Bernz-o-matic torch makes the bubbles disappear quickly and makes a difficult job of making the bubbles come to the surface an easy one.. ;)
Don't try a blow dryer or shrink wrap dryer. It blows the finish into a wrinkle.

[Tom]

Dragging your brush on the side of the can will load the contents of the can with bubbles too.  If you overload your brush, drag it in a second can.

[WDH]

Apply it S-L-O-W and S-T-E-A-D-Y.  Let it flow out naturally.  Over application with too many strokes over the same area contributes to bubbles.  A foam brush works very well.

[low_48]

Wood species come into play here as well. Open pores, like red oak, have air in them. The poly tries to fill the hole and displaces the air. The air comes up and if the poly is almost flashed over, the air bubble will dry in the finish. Slightly thinning the first coat reduces this.