I've been dealing with a frustrating situation since December when my neighbor gave me some stains for my Ikea pine bookshelf. I used Miniwax Helmsman Spar Urethane (indoor/outdoor) and, of course, it turned into a nightmare. I had it outside on the porch for months waiting for it to cure, and when I brought it inside in April, it seemed fine at first. But whenever the humidity rises, it starts to smell again. I've only put one coat on, and I'm wondering if there's anything I can do to eliminate the smell. With the weather getting hotter, should I throw it outside, sand it all off, or consider trying something else? Any advice would be appreciated!
2 Answers
Honestly, I would recommend stripping the spar urethane off completely. If it hasn't cured after that long, it's likely gone bad or contaminated. One coat is pretty easy to remove, and I'd rather deal with that than risk encapsulating a failed finish. Better to start fresh, in my opinion!
In a similar situation, my dad had used some old polyurethane that still gave off headaches weeks later. We ended up sealing it with shellac, which worked but slowed down the curing process significantly. I wouldn't necessarily recommend that route unless you're really desperate, but it’s something that worked for us in a pinch! Just be aware that it might make future curing last a while longer.
I think the can I used might be old, so that could be part of the issue. How do you suggest I strip it, and what top coat should I try afterward?