School me on polyurethane.
What’s the best polyurethane and technique to apply it on White Pine? Do you cut it 50/50 with mineral spirits?

Brush it on, let it dry, sand it with 220 grit. Wipe it clean and put another coat on. Continue these steps until you find the finish your looking for. It usually takes 5 or 6 coats before I get the fill and look that I’m after.I have heard of folks applying thin layers with an old shirt or rag... keeps you from having to sand down any voids left from a brush. I’ve always used Minwax gloss.

Hit it with an orbital sander before you start. The what FG says. Make sure your let it dry completely between coats.

I do what Forrest said but usually 2 coats works for me.

No need to thin the poly. Two or three coats will be plenty.

After your final coat dries, rub it with corrugated cardboard for a smooth finish.

No need to cut it, also do not shake the can, stir it, shaking will put a bunch of air bubbles which will transfer to you wood. Brush it on, I personal get a decent soft brush to put mine on. Tip for the brush, between use, zip loc bag and put in fridge.

For you guys that use 220 don’t you find it leaves scratches in it? I usually use 0000 steel wool and never had an issue. I used the 220 lightly, wiped really good and reapplied and had scratches.

If you are doing a lot wood, the poly for wood floors is cheaper. It will be sold by the gallon near flooring vs the paint section.

I dont like steel wool because it sheds and get buried in the poly. Never again

Like mudler said, steel wool will leave steel shavings in it. Stick with the 220 which is what is recommended on the back of the can. You could probably go to a higher grit but I haven’t played with that. You don’t sand the last coat. The scratches will be covered and filled with each coat. The scratches are necessary to smooth each layer and add something for the new layer to adhere to. A lot of folks will polish the final coat to make it pop. End result should look like glass or an epoxy cover over the product. Usually takes me between 5 to 6 coats to do it and do it right.

This and i usually cut it a hair.

It really depends on what kind of finish you are looking for...

I don't like the plastic feeling finish that straight poly gives on some of the stuff I do, so I mix: 1/3 poly, 1/3 mineral spirits and 1/3 Boiled linseed oil. I rub it on with a 3M abrasive pad almost like you are set sanding with the stuff, and then wipe off the excess with a piece of an old cotton tee shirt. Do this several times and then one final coat with just the tee shirt.

Make sure the poly is not cold, as in left in the shop during cold weather. Room temp is good.

If you can afford it, use Varathane. I did a kitchen table and you could roller skate on it without scratching the poly. And yes, do not shake the can.