Getting Brushstrokes out of Polyurethane

[yahya]

I know this is like finishing 101, but I dont know how to do it.

[ozwinner]

Hi.
Last time i used Poly I used a small foam roller.
It did the trick really well, and no brush strokes.

Al

[RETIRED]

Sit the can of Poly in hot water. It helps it flow better.

[echnidna]

one coat of poly every second day.
(heating the poly as suggested works well too)
Use only a top quality brush.
wet rub-back between using wet and dry paper. 120 to 160 grit is fine enough.
use tack rag after each wet rubbibg process has dried.
Use gloss for all buildup coats though if you prefer a satin finish use satin only as a final coat.

[Harry72]

Dont be skimpy when you apply it... put it on thick as possible and it will flow out to near a mirrored shine(and what said... no cold days wanted)

[soundman]

Thinning the poly with turps also helps. Just dont go too far as it tends to go a little milky when off.

[ChasingRainbows]

This is maybe in finishing 101 appendix a, but why build up with gloss and finish with satin if satin is required? Does gloss contain more solids therefore a thicker coat / build up?

[rsser]

Old poly can thicken so test and thin if needed.

[Auld Bassoon]

I believe that it's the other way around, in that satin ~ matt finishes have some solids in the mix to reduce the shine, so by using high gloss for the build-up, you can then achieve the sort of gloss level you want. If you use satin as the build-up, then all you will get is satin with, perhaps, a shiny surface...

Experiment!