Learn how to apply Polycrylic the right way without streaks or brush strokes. Your stained wood or painted furniture will look like glass.
Apply Polycrylic Without Streaks or Brush Strokes
Polycrylic is an easy-to-apply protective finish for DIY projects. But this top coat can become streaky or have noticeable brush strokes if it’s applied the wrong way.
Follow these helpful tips and tricks to tackle your next Polycrylic project with confidence. Every time you paint or stain wood furniture, you will achieve flawless results.
This tutorial contains affiliate links to supplies and tools. Purchases made using these links help support the Saws on Skates website and allows me to share more projects and tips with you. There is no cost to you for using these links. For more information, please visit my site policies.
Before we get into how to apply Polycrylic, be sure to click the subscribe button at the bottom of this page to sign up for my FREE weekly newsletter loaded with helpful pocket hole tricks, space-saving workshop ideas, clever DIY tips and more!
What is Polycrylic?
Polycrylic Minwax makes a water-based protective coating or top coat. It adds a layer of protection to wood projects by preventing dirt, dust, water, oil, grease, etc. It keeps water, oil, grease, dirt, and other substances from getting into the wood. It also protects against normal wear and tear and adds a shine to the wood.
Polycrylic doesn’t have stinky fumes like oil-based polyurethane, dries quickly, and doesn’t yellow over time. Because it’s water-based, it cleans up easily with soap and warm water.
When we open a can of Polycrylic, we’ll notice it has a milky white color. This is normal. It will become more clear as it dries.
The other thing we’ll notice is Polycrylic has a runny consistency. This runny consistency can make it difficult to apply on vertical surfaces. In other words, we need to watch for drips when it’s applied to vertical surfaces like the sides of bookcases or doors.
Related: Polycrylic vs Polyurethane: Are They The Same?
Back to Table of Contents
Where to Use Polycrylic
Back to Table of Contents
Types of Polycrylic
Polycrylic is available in liquid and spray aerosol cans. The liquid product is a milky white in color, but it dries clear.
Back to Table of Contents
What Sheens are Available?
Sheen refers to the degree of glossiness. Higher gloss levels mean more shine, while lower gloss levels indicate less shine.
Back to Table of Contents
What is the Best Way to Apply Polycrylic?
Polycrylic You can spray or use a brush to apply.
The best way to apply Polycrylic is with a synthetic bristle brush. It’s also the method that Minwax recommends.
I use this paint brush (my favorite brush) to apply Polycrylic. This brush is unique because of its stubby handle.
The stubby handle allows me to apply paints, stains, or finishes with greater control. A shorter handle is more weight. This means I have less stress on my wrist.
Can I Use a Foam Brush to Apply Polycrylic?
I’ve tried applying Polycrylic with a foam brush and I wouldn’t recommend it.
My experience is the foam brush holds too much product. That means you could end up with a puddle if you accidentally push a little too hard on the brush.
Can You Apply Polycrylic With a Roller?
It’s not recommended to apply Polycrylic with a roller. A roller can cause air bubbles to form in the finish. Those bubbles can cause the finish to be bumpy.
Those bumps will need to be sanded out and an additional coat will need to be applied.
Back to Table of Contents
Quick Steps
- Set up your work area
- Prepare the surface
- Prepare the product
- Apply Without Streaks or Brush Strokes
- Apply 3 Coats
- Allow each coat to dry for 2 hours
- Sand with 220 grit sandpaper between each coat
Set Up Your Work Area
Polycrylic has a slight odor, but it doesn’t have strong, stinky fumes like oil-based polyurethane. That said, I would still apply it in a well-ventilated area.
The work area should be relatively dust-free. Dust particles that land in the finish while it’s drying will need to be sanded out. Fortunately, Polycrylic dries quickly, so I haven’t experience this problem yet.
Humidity can cause Polycrylic to dry more slowly. If possible, choose to apply the finish when the humidity is low or in an area where the humidity is low.
Prepare the Surface
Any finish begins with properly preparing the surface of the wood. You can do this by smoothing the surface with sandpaper.
Related: What’s the Best Sander for Furniture? (Here’s the Answer)
I typically start with 80 grit or 100 grit sandpaper and finish with either 120 grit or 150 grit sandpaper.
Related: 11 Secrets for Sanding Wood Projects Like a Pro
Next, I fill any gaps or nail holes. I like to use this DIY wood filler. It’s easy to make with just two ingredients and it absorbs stain well.
Related: Does Stainable Wood Filler Work?
Polycrylic on Raw Wood
Water-based products like water-based Polycrylic raise the grain of raw wood (wood that has not been stained or painted). The wood becomes less smooth after the finish has been applied.
One way to prevent this from happening is to prepare the wood before applying the water-based finish. Use a damp rag to wipe the wood’s surface with water. Lightly sand the wood with 220grit sandpaper once it is dry. Next, clean up the sanding dust. The ShopVac should first remove most of the dust. Next, apply a tackcloth.
Related: What is a Tack Cloth? (+ What I Used Instead)
Polycrylic on Stained Wood
I usually build my projects with pine. Pine often becomes blotchy when it’s stained. Pre-stain conditioner is applied to help with blotchiness. Store-bought pre-stain conditioners are available, but I like to use natural, DIY versions instead.
Related: What I Use Instead of Wood Conditioner
Then, I stain my project. Varathane oil-based stain and Rust Oleum are favorites. Oil-based stains emit unpleasant fumes. In recent years, I have been making homemade stains like this black walnut stain or this coffee stain.
It’s important to mention that water-based finishes could react with oil-based and water-based stains. For example, water-based top coats can sometimes remove water-based stains like the coffee stain and the black walnut thegoneapp.com prevent this from happening, we can apply wax-free shellac.
Related: What You Need to Know About a Shellac Wood Finish
Wax-free shellac rarely reacts with oil-based or water-based stains and can be used under any other top coat. The wax-free shellac will act as a barrier between the stain and the water-based Polycrylic.
Prepare the Product
Stir the Polycrylic. Don’t shake it. Air bubbles can be created by shaking. Those bubbles can cause the finish to be bumpy.
Those bumps will need to be sanded out and an additional coat will need to be applied.
Apply Polycrylic Without Streaks
- Use a quality synthetic bristle brush
- Apply with the grain of the wood
- Use long strokes in one direction. Short, back and forth strokes can leave streaks or brush strokes
- Apply thin, even coats and brush out any drips
- Keep a wet edge. Start with wet areas and work your way to dry.
Back to Table of Contents
How Long Does it Take to Dry?
Polycrylic dries quickly, usually in about two hours. It’s ready for light handling after about three hours.
It needs to dry at least 24 hours before it’s ready for “normal use”. We need to be careful during this time because it can scratch or dent before it’s fully cured.
Back to Table of Contents
How Many Coats of Polycrylic Should I Use?
Minwax recommends applying three coats of Polycrylic.
I usually apply three coats to my projects and I’ve been pleased with the results.
Back to Table of Contents
Do You Have to Sand Between Coats of Polycrylic?
Yes. Apply the Polycrylic and allow each coat to dry for about two hours.
Between each coat, lightly sand with 220grit sandpaper. Next, remove any sanding dust. Use a ShopVac to remove most of the dust. Then use a tackcloth.
The last coat should not be sanded.
Back to Table of Contents
How Do You Fix Streaks or Brush Strokes?
You can fix brush marks and streaks by sanding the area and then reapplying.
Let the hair dry completely after removing streaks or brush strokes. Next, lightly sand with 220 grit sandpaper to remove the streaks or brush strokes.
Then remove any sanding dust. The ShopVac can first remove most of the dust. Follow up with a tackcloth.
Next, reapply the Polycrylic.
Back to Table of Contents
Can You Apply Polycrylic Over Paint?
Yes, Polycrylic can be applied over paint.
We need to prepare the painted surface just like a wood surface. The paint should be smooth. Polycrylic needs something to bite into so that it will stick to the surface
That means we need to lightly sand the painted surface with 220 grit sandpaper. After that, you can remove any sanding dust. Then, use a ShopVac to remove most of the dust. Follow up with a tackcloth.
I should also mention if your painted project has visible streaks or brush strokes, you will see those brush strokes even after the Polycrylic is applied. The painted surface will need to be completely smooth for the Polycrylic to be completely smooth.
Back to Table of Contents
Can You Apply Polycrylic Over Chalk-Type Paint?
Yes, Polycrylic can be applied over chalk-type paints.
Related: How to Spray Chalk-Type Paint
I’ve heard matte-finish paints like chalk-type paints have an additive that gives them a chalky appearance. This additive supposedly can prevent Polycrylic from drying (it will remain tacky) or dry very slowly.
I have applied Polycrylic to projects painted with chalk-type paints. In my experience, the Polycrylic dried as it normally would on any other project.
I would recommend that you try it on some test pieces before applying to your project to be sure the Polycrylic will dry properly with your chalk-type paint.
I should also mention if your chalky paint project has visible streaks or brush strokes, you will see those brush strokes even after the Polycrylic is applied. The painted surface will need to be completely smooth for the Polycrylic to be completely smooth.
We need to prepare the chalky painted surface just like a wood surface. That means we need to lightly sand the painted surface with 220 grit sandpaper. Next, clean up the sanding dust. The ShopVac should first remove most of the dust. Follow up with a tackcloth.
Back to Table of Contents
Can You Apply Polycrylic Over Vinyl Decals?
Yes, Polycrylic can be applied over vinyl decals.
Back to Table of Contents
Final Thoughts
Polycrylic is an easy-to-apply protective finish for DIY projects. But this top coat can become streaky or have noticeable brush strokes if it’s applied the wrong way.
Use a high-quality brush to achieve a smooth finish. Apply the top coat with the grain using long strokes in one direction. Keep the edge wet.
We appreciate you stopping by. If you enjoyed this tutorial, would you please take a moment and pin it to Pinterest? I’d really appreciate it!
Recommended For You
Pin This For Later
