I resurfaced my bridge with treated lumber back in 2022 and I'm pretty sure I used a dark, water-based stain that looked fantastic at first. After applying what I think was water-based polyurethane, it turned out great! I thought it would be a good idea to add another layer of poly every couple of years. Fast forward two years, and after a light wash, I reapplied the polyurethane but laid it on a bit thicker this time. A few days later, my bridge turned a ghostly white! Using a heat gun helps a bit, but it's still not right. Now, nearly a year later, it looks like the linked image. I'm looking for advice on where I went wrong so I can avoid this in the future!
2 Answers
First off, what specific products did you use? It really helps to pinpoint the problem. You mentioned Behr Premium Fast Drying Water-Based Polyurethane, right? That's a solid brand! Sometimes, if you apply water-based poly over an uneven surface or don't clean thoroughly enough, it can lead to issues like ghosting. Be cautious of applying too thick of a layer as well.
It sounds like the poly is the main issue. Water-based products can sometimes cause that cloudy appearance if there’s moisture or humidity when applying. For your future projects like the gazebo, consider using oil-based products, which some find to be more forgiving. As for the bridge, you might need to sand it down and start fresh to fix this. If it's not too bad, just letting it be might be an option, but it’s up to you!
What steps should I take if I want to fix the bridge's finish? Can I salvage it somehow?
Yeah, I've seen similar issues when layers weren't prepped properly. Did you do any deep cleaning before applying that final coat?