Polyurethane leaves dry patches

[rbalse]

I am re-coating an Ikea pine table top with a polyurethane satin. So far, I have given it four coats, but after each coat there appears small patches of "flat" rather than satin finish. They are not in the same place after each coat. I noted that the coats started to dry unevenly very quickly but after a couple of hours, all but these patches are uniformly satin.

[nrb]

HI rbalse,I have had a similar issue with poly on larger areas like table tops and found it was about getting a good even coat,my experience was using a brush and I found that if you don't put enough on and try to work it out to even it up you tend to go over areas that are starting to dry.
I now no longer use a brush in this situation and have swiched to small foam rollers,they allow you to get a good even coverage quickly before it starts to dry.
You sometimes get a few small bubbles but leave them alone and they smooth out fine.
Just do it and don't fiddle.
As far as clean up I just throw the rollers away,it will cost you more in turps than tho cost of a roller.

[Tegmark]

HI rbalse,I have had a similar issue with poly on larger areas like table tops and found it was about getting a good even coat,my experience was using a brush and I found that if you don't put enough on and try to work it out to even it up you tend to go over areas that are starting to dry.
I now no longer use a brush in this situation and have swiched to small foam rollers,they allow you to get a good even coverage quickly before it starts to dry.
You sometimes get a few small bubbles but leave them alone and they smooth out fine.
Just do it and don't fiddle.
As far as clean up I just throw the rollers away,it will cost you more in turps than tho cost of a roller.

What about the fine china white purdy brushes for air bubbles?

[nrb]

Not sure what you mean with those brushes. In my case i couldn't get it even enough,quick enough with a brush,do all larger areas now with a roller.
I have not used wipe on poly that maybe another way to go.