A friend has taken over a bar project where the previous carpenters applied three coats of water-based polyurethane to the bar top. Considering that three coats likely won't withstand heavy use in a commercial environment, and with an opening less than a week away, they are pondering whether applying multiple additional coats—maybe even 10 to 20—could give the surface the needed durability. Can they safely build it up like that without causing issues?
3 Answers
The number of coats you can apply really depends on how thin or thick each application is. If you go too heavy, you might end up with defects like orange peel, which doesn't look great. Honestly, I’d recommend looking into a catalyzed water-based poly or a two-part waterborne finish instead. These tend to hold up better, especially under alcohol exposure and frequent use.
With time constraints, have you thought about using a UV cure finish? That might expedite the process.
I’ve put five coats on my workbench, and it holds up pretty well under heavy use. However, if they expect a lot of wear and tear, a hardener-based poly might be the better route to take here.
From what I’ve noticed, anything beyond five coats can start to turn cloudy and develop a weird bluish tint when wet. Sure, three coats of water-based poly can be enough for a couple of years in a commercial space, but they really need something tougher for high traffic. A 2K finish or even epoxy would be a solid move since those cure much faster than standard water-based poly.
Absolutely! And don't forget to sand between coats, especially if switching products to avoid those lung issues with 2K clear.