I'm planning to apply two coats of fast-drying water-based polyurethane to our kitchen table. We have a cat, and while we can keep her out of the kitchen for about six to eight hours, I'm worried about what will happen after that. The polyurethane from Behr states it dries to touch in one hour, can be recoated after one hour, and will be fully cured in three days. If my eight-pound cat hops onto the table 4 to 6 hours after the second coat, will it ruin the finish?
3 Answers
It's really important to make sure your cat can't get to the table during this process. Maybe try to finish it in a room that can be shut off from the cat altogether until it's fully cured. You can always wait the three days so you don't have to worry about her jumping on it too soon.
Also keep in mind that even if it feels dry to touch, it's likely not fully set yet, and your cat's claws could damage it. If you can, get a temporary space where you can let it cure for those three days without any kitty interference!
You should definitely be concerned about your cat's safety too. If any of that polyurethane gets on her fur, she could lick it off and that's obviously dangerous! It might be best to move the table to a garage or a room with a door where the cat can't access it until it’s completely dry.