Polyurethane is a polymer of urethane like polythene. The liquid polyurethane is used to cover different surfaces. It can also protect the surface from any sort of erosion and UV rays. Polyurethane can be defined as plastic as well.
Let’s find out if it is good to go with danish oil or not.
Can you put polyurethane over danish oil?
Danish oil is used to cover the surface of any wooden products. When the wooden surface is brushed with Danish oil, anyone can put polyurethane over the oil finish after it is fully dry. Putting a polyurethane coat over the Danish oil finishing will reduce the maintenance problem.
A few sorts of polyurethane has been discussed below, let’s find out if you can put them over danish oil or not –
Water-based polyurethane:
Water-based polyurethane is used to protect the surface. This water-based polyurethane cover dries more quickly than the oil-based one. Water-based polyurethane doesn’t provide any hue when it is dried. This polyurethane is odorless.
Water-based polyurethane can be used directly over the danish oil, just after the danish oil finishing is adequately dried. Before applying water-based polyurethane cover, rest the danish coat for 48 hours and dry it well.
Spar urethane:
Spar urethane is not as strong as any regular polyurethane cover, as it is more damage-prone. Spar urethane cannot stand strong against chemicals such as alcohol.
Though spar urethane has the power to resist direct sunlight, temperature changes, and water damage. Spar urethane can be used over the danish oil coating. But only after the danish oil coating is thoroughly dried.
Oil-based polyurethane:
Oil-based polyurethane is cost-efficient. It is a highly used polyurethane coating. Oil-based polyurethane is more durable than water-based or other polyurethane coatings. It has slight color than water-based polyurethane.
This coating has a softer finish, and that’s why it dents easily. It has a harsh smell too. But this coating will stay for a longer time on the surface. Oil-based polyurethane can be used over the danish oil surface.
After the danish oil is fully dry, you can use polyurethane coating.
Minwax polyurethane:
Minwax has been a brand to help people finish their woodworking projects since 1904. They have got several products to cover up the wooden projects. Minwax polyurethane helps wooden furniture or surface from stains.
They produce mainly oil-based products. Minmax provides sustainability. The polyurethane they made is an oil-based polyurethane, and they are as good as oil-based polyurethane. It can be applied over the danish oil without any hesitation.
Just make sure the danish oil is thoroughly dried.
Can you put wipe on poly over danish oil? Does polyurethane stick to Danish oil?
The best thing about danish oil is that it can be dried quickly. Danish oil has an unlikable odor. The smell will remain even after some time. But danish oil will dry faster, and it takes only a day to cure properly. But multiple coats will take multiples days to dry and cure.
After the danish oil is properly dried and cured, you can apply polyurethane.
Both wipe-on and brush-on methods can be applied to put a polyurethane coat over the danish oil. It is recommended to follow the brush-on or wipe-on method on patterned surfaces. And spray method on the surfaces which are hard to reach.
Moreover, Danish oil will go well with the polyurethane cover, but it will not be sticky. Also, the wiping method is more used than any other method. So, the wipe-on method to poly over danish oil is recommended.
Do you need to put polyurethane over danish oil? Can you put polyurethane over Watcodanish oil?
Generally, it is not necessary to put anything over the danish oil. Danish oil doesn’t make a sustainable finish over the wooden surface.
If the surface is thoroughly touched by dirt and other chemicals, there is a huge chance that the danish oil will not stand strong and make the surface dull. By providing a topcoat to the danish oil finish, it enhances the sustainability and beauty of the surface.
If you want to have a glaze on the surface for a long time, you will cover polyurethane over the danish oil.
WatcoDanish oil is not as sustainable as other surface covering oils. Covering with polyurethane will increase the beauty of the surface, and the Watcodanish oil cover will remain as it is after finishing with the Watco danish oil.
What happens when you put polyurethane over danish oil?
The following can happen when you put polyurethane over danish oil –
Increase Durability:
Danish oil finishing needs to have regular maintenance to keep it perfect. Danish oil finishing is not perfectly durable. Over time, the durability decreases. Water and dust can reduce the durability of danish oil.
But after applying another layer of polyurethane, the durability increases. As polyurethane is a kind of plastic that stands against dust and water.
Make the Wooden Surface look Better:
Only a danish oil finish may provide a little beauty to the wooden surface. And it is perishable. Soon after the application, the color may fade away. Though applying danish oil is easy. But, making it last longer is quite a challenging job.
By applying polyurethane over the danish oil, the finish will increase the beauty of the wooden surface. If oil-based polyurethane is used, the glaze will sustain for a long time.
Protects from Scratches:
Polyurethane is softer outside. It has got a cushioning property. So after applying polyurethane over danish oil, it will help the surface not get scratches, and it will not attract dust over it.
If dust falls on the wooden surface, a little mopping can allow the surface to become dust-free.
Protects from UV Rays:
Polyurethane also keeps the surface out of Ultraviolet rays’ contamination. UV rays can damage the wooden surface. And UV rays make the wood fiber so breakable that the wood fiber breaks easily.
Moreover, UV rays cause the wood surface to lose its property so that water can quickly get into it.
How long should Danish oil dry before polyurethane?
When putting danish oil over wooden furniture or surface, make sure enough air and light. If enough ventilation is not there, the wooden surface will not dry faster. Instead of drying the danish oil, the danish oil must cure the surface too.
So, it takes one to two days to dry on the wooden surface. And it takes almost a month to cure and dry within the wooden fiber.
It is preferred to have at least three days or 72 hours for the danish oil to have a topcoat of polyurethane. Generally, the polyurethane coat will dry within four hours. But it is good to set the polyurethane coat to dry for 24 to 48 hours.
Moreover, polyurethane cover takes almost a month to cure perfectly.
As polyurethane and danish oil have a pretty unpleasant odor, it is better to rest the surface for quite a few days before the odor goes away. And both the finishings cured over the surface.
How do you finish Danish oil with polyurethane?
Let’s walk through this section to know a simple process to finish danish oil with polyurethane –
Prepare Materials:
To apply danish oil and polyurethane over a wooden surface, you need to have some accessories first. Grit sandpapers, danish oil, polyurethane, automated rubbing and polishing compound, dry cloth, and mineral spirits.
Fix A Ventilated Area:
A ventilated area is needed to use all these ingredients over the wooden surface. As danish oil and polyurethane have a strong odor, it is better to use them in an open and clean area.
Make the Wooden Surface Suitable:
Grit the uneven wooden surface and make the surface suitable for applying danish oil. Use different sandpapers to make the uneven surfaces even.
Spray or Brush the Danish Oil:
After cleaning and making the surface smooth, apply danish oil all over the surface. And you can use the spray or brush-on method to apply the oil after brushing the surface leaves, it for at least 24 hours to dry perfectly.
Spray, Brush, or Wipe Polyurethane:
After the danish oil is perfectly dried over the surface. Apply polyurethane over the finished surface. You can spray, brush or wipe polyurethane. It is recommended to spray surfaces that are hard to reach. Apply several layers of polyurethane.
Rest the Wooden Surface to Dry:
It takes almost a month to cure the wooden surface for danish oil, and for polyurethane, a month is required. So, rest the wooden surface to dry, and then you’ll get the perfect result.
Final Thoughts
Danish oil is highly compatible with polyurethane cover. Polyurethane fits nicely over any wooden surface and makes the surface beautiful. Covering with only danish oil may not protect the wooden surface well. But applying polyurethane will increase the durability.