Way to fix a polyurethane mistake

pinetable

I had a unfinished pine table custom built. I loved the natural color so much that I didn't want it to change, but knew I had to protect it. I got the clear satin finish Miniwax polyurethane. I did one coat and loved it…but the guy at the store said I'd need to do 2 coats to be on the safe side. Now my table looks yellow. How do I fix this? Will I have to sand the whole thing and start over? Is there any way I could do a tinted stain on top of it now? Or again, will I have to sand the whole thing? I'm trying to figure out the easiest way out and still achieve the natural color I had to begin with.

Best Answer

There are almost no finishes that are totally colorless (although poly does have a slight yellow tinge, more than some other finishes). Also, most wood changes color over time with exposure to light and oxygen (typically getting darker).

Frankly 2 coats of polyurethane is only the bare minimum. Particularly if this is a kitchen or dining room table that will get a lot of wear, you will want it to be durable. (Maybe for a side table 2 coats would be OK). If this were my table I would say put a 3rd coat on it and leave it for a few months to see how you feel about it. It's not going to be any easier to strip & sand it now, so you might as well see how it ages.

If you do refinish, maybe try a water-based acrylic, that will be almost colorless. There are many sites online that compare the various types of wood finishes, e.g.: http://www.diynetwork.com/home-improvement/whats-the-difference-between-polyurethane-varnish-shellac-and-lacquer/index.html

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