How To Apply Polycrylic Over Paint

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Learn how to apply polycrylic over paint. Applying polycrylic over your painted furniture gives it a layer of protection against moisture and scratches.

A couple of years ago, I created a video about How To Paint Wood Furniture.  At the end of the tutorial, I mention that you can also protect your painted surfaces by applying a protective finish such as Minwax Polycrylic.

Since that video was published, I’ve gotten a lot questions about how to apply polycrylic, how long to wait to apply polycrylic, what product to use, that I decided to create a new video tutorial that answers all of your polycrylic questions.

So, you might be wondering…what is Polycrylic.

Polycrylic is a protective finish that you can apply to your painted furniture.  It will help protect your painted furniture from water damage and scratches.  Especially good for tabletops.

It is a water-based product, which means that it won’t yellow over time like a polyurethane will.  Another benefit of polycrylic being water-based is that it is easy to clean up your brushes with soap and water.

Polycrylic comes in several sheens – from gloss to matte.  I’m using the satin sheen.

One question that I often get asked is – “How soon after painting my furniture can I apply the Polycrylic?”  The answer is that you need to wait until the painted furniture is dry.  So, whatever the dry time is for your paint, (which is found on the back of paint can), that is how long to wait to apply the polycrylic.

How To Apply Polycrylic Over Paint

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Materials Needed:

• Minwax Polycrylic
• Polycrylic Brush
• Sandpaper
• Tack Cloth
• Liquid TSP Substitute Cleaner

Instructions:

I’ve created a video that shows how to apply polycrylic over paint, and I’ve written out the instructions below the video for you to follow along with.

TIP – Because the polycrylic is water-based, it dries very quickly.  So, it’s important not to over work it.  

• Wash your painted surface with Liquid TSP Substitute cleaner.  Following the directions on the back of the TSP bottle.  Dry.
• Lightly sand painted surface with a 220 or higher grit sandpaper.
• Clean sanding dust with tack cloth.
• Slowly stir polycrylic in can.  Don’t shake, which can cause bubbles.
• Pour polycrylic in a container so that paint isn’t transferred back into can of polycrylic.
• Use a good quality synthetic brush to apply the polycrylic to painted surface.
• Apply the polycrylic with the synthetic brush with long slow brush strokes to painted surface.
• After applying the first coat of polycrylic, let it dry for 2 hours.
• Before applying second coat, lightly sand the surface again.  Clean dust with tack cloth.
• Apply second coat of polycrylic.
• Let second coat dry 2 hours.
• Before applying the third coat, lightly san the surface again.  Clean dust with tack cloth.
• Apply third coat of polycrylic.
• Let dry at least 24 hours after third coat.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this How To Apply Polycrylic Over Paint tutorial!

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