Speaking of a quick-n-effective choice, polyurethane varnish is incomparable, no lies there. It’s easy to apply, doesn’t take much time to dry, and brings a fine sheen with much no effort. It’s a terrific resin element.
But it all comes down to the application, doesn’t it? One misjudged stroke or one wrong release might just make your whole fuss for hours worth nothing! So it’s vital for you to make the right choice while picking your armor. (Your best roller for polyurethane?)
While brushes are many people’s top pick; we have to admit, rollers roll on a completely different lane (No pun intended). Easy to hold, easy to operate over vast surfaces, and covers more area than brushes at once, and that also without leaving any traces of their edges….. as they don’t have any! It’s all a smooth start to bottom!
Best Paint Roller for Smooth Polyurethane Finish
So let’s hunt for the best roller for polyurethane for you, shall we? It’s hard out there with so many models screaming “Pick me!”, as we all know not all of them are worth it. We have reviewed here five quality rollers for your polyurethane need, check them out, and make your decision on your own time.
Let the quest for the best roller cover for smooth finish begin!
1. Wooster Brush R232-9 Epoxy Glide Roller Cover
Shopping for urethane roller cover is always tricky, the smoothness of the finish depends a lot on the roller that’s producing it. Wooster Brush R232-9 Epoxy Glide Roller Cover relieves you of that stress.
This roller cover is a total game-changer. Woven covers have been ruling the roller market for edges; Wooster Brush R232-9 Epoxy Glide Roller Cover brings the same level of perfection to the surface with its non-woven structure. Roll over the polyurethane or epoxy layer all you want, shed-resistant fabric will always prevent the lint from getting in your way.
Yes, as it says in the name, the roller cover is initially intended for epoxy coating, but it works tremendously for urethane flooring as well. The way the cover picks up the varnish, and let it flow on the surface after release, that’s a fine example of great timing and efficiency going hand to hand right there.
The dark grey outlook adds more to the volume. Comes with a double-thick, water-resistant polypropylene core that protects the structure from cracking and getting dissolved in touch of other chemicals. Water-resistant nature is what makes it the best roller for oil based paint and varnish.
Why We Picked It:
- Non-woven, shed-resistant structure allows for smooth rolling without leaving traces of lint around.
- Double-thick, water-resistant polypropylene core helps prevent dissolving and cracking of the roller.
- Picking up and flowing tendency after release guarantees efficiency in work.
2. Purdy 140624033 Jumbo Mini Colossus Roller Replacements
Purdy, since its beginning in 1925, has always believed in quality manufacturing for the most outstanding results, and it’s thoroughly visible in their brushes and rollers. Purdy 140624033 Jumbo Mini Colossus Roller Replacements are not any different.
This polyamide fabric roller cover can do it all. Rough wood, drywall – you name it; even complex structures like masonry and stucco as well. The cover is manufactured with much care that enables it to pick up good amount of primer or finish at once, and release evenly on all sorts of textures. And that too without shedding extra lint or splattering unnecessary drips of paint everywhere.
½ inch nap is capable of doing its job efficiently on any given surface. Primarily manufactured for oil-based and latex paint mediums; but not limited to that, primers like polyurethane finish are more than welcome for application. The structure is perfect for different sheen effect. Comes in a combo kit of several pieces.
Why We Picked It:
- Woven polyamide texture and nap size suitable for various applications.
- Picks up good amount of element at once and release evenly regardless of the texture type.
- Paint/primer choice isn’t limited.
- Does the job with leaving lint or splattering paint/primer everywhere.
3. YATTICH Deluxe Paint Roller Kit
YATTICH Deluxe Paint Roller Kit literally comes packed with everything you’d need in your painting and coating journey. The kit introduces 14 items, which are carefully picked and manufactured to make your job easier without making you rush back and forth for all the necessary paint/varnish-related items.
First we have the 9” tray that’s made with polypropylene so won’t rust; it’s spill-proof and anti-drop, which ensures longevity and durability. There’s a bundle of plastic films to protect surfaces from paint; and then there’s this painter’s masking tape which helps with painting over specific, distinctive zones.
The can opener opens the can without damaging the seal or edges. There’s a painting stick to mix the paint or primer.
Three brushes are included in the kit, featuring wooden handles; 2.5” regular paintbrush for standard application, 2” long handle angle brush makes it easier to go around the hard-to-reach corners, and the 2” foam brush for the ultimate smooth finish.
Lastly, but not least in any manner, two 9”/4” roller frames and four 9”/4” roller covers. Heavy-duty handles and durable steel tubes enable picking up good amount of paint/finish and fast rolling. The rollers are crafted with microfiber polyester fabric that releases coating efficiently without shedding any fiber or lint in the process. The roller core is solvent-proof. Fine for any sort of coating type, polyurethane including.
Why We Picked It:
- One kit containing everything needed for a thorough paint/primer/varnish application.
- Three brushes that cover all sorts of coating application.
- Four microfiber polyester roller covers with two durable roller frames and solvent-proof roller cores; picks up heavy load and releases evenly without shedding fiber.
- Effective tray design.
- Opener to help opening the can without damaging anything, and a stick for standard mixing.
- Plastic film and masking tape protects particular surfaces from getting unnecessarily splattered with paint/varnish.
4. Katzco Paint Roller – 5 Wire Cage and 2 Roller Covers
All the swiftness you want from your roller, Katzco Paint Roller will cover. From the roller frame to the core of the roller cover, top-notch perfection in everything this roller does.
The frame is suitable for any standard 9” roller cover. The 5-wire cage design keeps the roller steady on it, while the quick-release spring completes the measure of slip-prevention. The cage gets the job done fast with a free-spin design that won’t stop at anything!
Then we have our woven polyethylene cover. Capable of picking up a good load of paint/varnish at once, all thanks to its fantastic interlocking pattern that can take more without drying the fiber. The release is even and smooth, and without any hint of shed lint or fiber across the surface. While releasing, doesn’t splatter varnish/paint around much.
With the core, you won’t have to worry about the elements dissolving in contact of any material. Since the roller is intended for all sorts of painting jobs, even involving oil stains and such; one can definitely consider it as the best roller for polyurethane floors.
Why We Picked It:
- 5-wire cage roller frame structure spins over the surface smoothly and fast, and without slipping.
- Interlocking pattern of polyethylene cover can pick up high load of material at once; while at it, doesn’t splatter much.
- Doesn’t leave lint or fiber behind.
- Solvent-proof core.
5. FoamPRO 175 Foam Paint Roller
While looking for the best roller for polyurethane surfaces you might be subtly rooting for the most extravagant features in a roller, which is definitely not the main concern here. The most fascinating result can come from the simplest roller; FoamPRO 175 Foam Paint Roller is a brilliant example of that.
The roller’s built for both smooth and textured surfaces; so you’re more than welcome to try it on your polyurethane floors. The foam-based roller cover can absorb a high amount of paint/varnish and can hold it in for a long time without dripping.
The frame allows for smooth spinning across the surface. Doesn’t shed lint or fuzz while rolling, and doesn’t splatter like crazy. A decent investment at a low price.
Why We Picked It:
- Budget-friendly.
- Foam roller cover picks up good load of material, and releases it without constantly dripping.
- Smooth finish without lint or fuzz.
- Doesn’t splatter much while releasing.
How to Shop for the Right Floor Finish Applicator?
It all comes down to the floor type and the finish you’re going for. Different varnishes hold onto the applicator differently, cover the area at their own particular pace. One wrong choice, and you’ll have to repeat the process from the scratch. To be on the safe side, you can approach for the perfect applicator as below:
- Type of Finish You’re Going For
To decide on the right applicator, it’s important what sort of finish you’re intending to go for. Water-based, oil-based, and conversion varnish – they all cover the surface in their individual ways, and the use of the wrong applicator will lead to either bumps, bubbles, or uneven layers. And one important thing, all applicators are not capable of picking up reasonable loads of all elements.
The type also depends on the zone you’ll be using the applicator on. It can be parquets, which is quite different than a regular hardwood floor. The edges in the end, brushes aren’t helpful there. Or between the corners, you need something that can easily slip through.
- Type of Applicators that Will Help You in Your Journey
Now, let’s see the applicators. Brush and rollers are the first things that come to people’s minds while deciding on applicator based on their long-established painting knowledge. But since we’re talking several layers of floor-coating, and that also including different areas and edges; the list of applicator choice here is a tad bit more extended.
After all, the best finish requires the best polyurethane applicator. So here goes our worthy candidates:
- Brush: Delicate synthetic brushes preferably, as you don’t want those sharp edges to leave their marks behind. Foam brushes do a fascinating job of releasing as they don’t leave any marks and absorb the varnish without dripping it anywhere. The handle and its slender frame do make it easier to apply varnish on surfaces that doesn’t allow much space for your hands to maneuver freely.
Due to their heavy-duty varnish holding ability, brushes are primary choice of many for oil-based polyurethane application. Acid-cure and moisture-cured polyurethane finish are always in need of some quality bristles that will cover every inch with care and with an even lap.
- Roller: Popular to many for fast and easy application. Since they don’t have any edges, you won’t have to worry about uneven marks or lapping; just pick up your finish and release it over the surface by rolling. The spinning mechanism and the length allows for covering a large space in comparatively short time. Suitable for both oil-based and water-based polyurethane.
- T-bar and Trim Pad: T-bar happens to be another applicator that shares few similarities with roller, apart from spinning; can’t spin, which doesn’t make its releasing capability any less impressive. They are primarily used for evening out uneven layers and marks. The slander tubular T-bar can easily be passed through narrow doorways. Best applicator for water based polyurethane.
Trim pad is just another version of T-bar, just a bit thicker and covers more area at once. Both are synthetic-based.
- Lambswool Applicator: Shares the similar application concept with foam brush, but a bit more efficiently. The applicator must be scrubbed and smoothened out first before application, unless you don’t mind having shed wool lint all over your newly-done floor finish. Intended for oil-based varnish.
Many of these can easily volunteer for the best applicator for polyurethane on furniture.
- Sort Out Your Preference
So there’s your finish, and there are your applicator choices. It’s now for you to add two and two, and sort out what applicator to go with. You don’t want bubbles, you don’t want ugly overlapping marks, the applicator should be capable of holding sufficient varnish, and release them efficiently over respective surfaces.
Well, where does this leave you?
- Check Out the Applicators
Based on your preference, it’s time to do some product research. Yes, you’re already aware that you need a roller, or need to get that T-bar past that gap; but do you know which roller or T-bar will bring you that ultimate satisfaction of flawless application? It’s time for you to hunt down the best applicator for oil-based polyurethane, or water-based one.
Search the list of top items of the current market.
Check out the features. Read the reviews. Reviews give you a good insight into what to expect from a particular model of a product. Yeah, this is why, for those of you looking for the best roller for polyurethane finish, we’ve reviewed five of the best-rated rollers/roller covers right here to make the choice easier for you. It does help, doesn’t it?
- Decide and Purchase
A good insight of the features through elaborated reviews is bound to help you make the final decision. Once you have made up your mind, add the item to the cart and proceed to check out.
Tips for Applying Polyurethane for a Perfect Finish
The ultimate goal is to achieve that smooth finish with admirable sheen, right? Yes, we’re 100% on board with you in this dream (As we should be), and this is why we have a few tips for you that you better not ignore. (If you don’t want your hard work to go to waste!)
- Don’t shake the can
Never, ever shake the can; shaking brings bubbles and they fill up the area while you’re trying to lay a smooth seal. Take a stick and stir the mix instead. Bubbles are never good news. Even without shaking, you might spot some while releasing the varnish. Apply more coating until the bubble disappears.
- Shouldn’t be space for any lint
Sometimes with all the rolling and brushing, or just by being present in the room, one might end up shedding some lint on a freshly lain coat of polyurethane. Or it can be a trail of fabric from before, or something flying in the air. However, even a tiny bit of lint will FO SHO ruin the experience of a smooth finish.
Make sure you start application when the zone’s 100% lint-free, and use applicators that are guaranteed to not shed lint or fiber.
- The area should be ventilated, bug-free and dust-free
Oil-based polyurethane is definitely going to introduce strong fume while at action, you can’t stop that. And even when you’re not going with fume-inducing strong varnish, it’s important that the room is well-ventilated for the sake of thorough air-circulation among the chemical compounds.
The layer needs to breathe, and so do you.
While looking for proper ventilation, applying polyurethane outdoors is never a good idea. You can’t control the dust and microbes flying in the area, and you definitely can’t control the insects with wings (or just legs, flown by the wind) from landing on the sticky varnish and just ruining the whole neat look of it! The best you can do; pick some indoor area where a curious bug won’t come flying around, and not much dust in the air expecting to be your varnish’s unwelcomed guest.
- Gentle bristles for the smoothest strokes
Cheap bristles, hard bristles come with their own bitter price. The strokes are nasty, hard to cover a whole line at the same time, and looks disgusting without overlapping. The scary part is, the damage is often not even noticeable without a little distinctive lighting or when the flaw is beyond fixing.
Always choose gentle bristles that release the varnish evenly, without leaving rough, uneven brush marks, or bumps and bubbles while attempting overlapping. Use foam brushes on wider areas and around the edges for smooth laps.
Rollers are even better considering they don’t even have edges to leave marks, and cover more area at once than brushes. We’ve reviewed five rollers/roller covers here, as the best roller for polyurethane finish is definitely a must for the perfect outcome. Also, paint rollers aren’t any different job-wise; so always keep an eye out for the best paint roller for smooth finish.
- Synthetic touch should never be out of the picture
A good finish is all about a smooth and silky feeling, which can’t be achieved from rough and coarse treatment. Always have something synthetic in the process. We already mentioned above, gentle bristles are everything. Pick brushes with synthetic bristles.
Don’t use one type of sandpaper everywhere. While trying to thin a layer or even out a delicate spot, it’s wise to go with synthetic sandpaper for sanding.
- Spray or wipe for thinner coating
Oil-based polyurethane is pretty thick; by comparison, water-based varnish is thin, but what about the times when you’re willing to go a bit thinner? Spray cans of polyurethane and wipe-based varnishes are always at your service for that extreme thin polyurethane layer.
- Mineral spirit is essential
Mixing mineral spirit into the polyurethane adds more to the sheen level, along with thinning of the material. Besides, the surface must be wiped with mineral spirit after sanding, as the sanding takes away the glossy texture of the coating; also prepares the layer for the further coatings ahead.
- Patience always brings the best result
It takes hours and hours for polyurethane finish to dry; yes, water-based compound might dry a bit quicker, still a lot of hours. You must be patient through this whole duration of drying hours. If the finish is not dried properly while you attempt for something else, it will just end up ruining the coating as whole.
How to Apply Polyurethane to Wood Flooring
What’s the best way to apply polyurethane to wood floors?
A perfect finish with a perfect glaze! What not to admire there? Well, this is why most people go for hardwood floor anyway, to have that gorgeous polyurethane finish. Can you achieve that gorgeousness yourself? Following the next steps, you sure might. (If followed properly)
Water-based or Oil-based?
You can either go with water-based polyurethane finish, or oil-based one. Both have their fair share of glistening pride and drawbacks.
a. Water-based Polyurethane: It’s a bit thin and doesn’t consist of enough solid compound for a stronger single coating; so you have to put at least three layers of water-based varnish.
Like the color of your floor? It will stay exactly the same with water-based coating over it; the varnish is a bit transparent. You won’t have to worry about fumes omitting during application, it’s pretty safe on that part; with no additional VOC in the mix.
The issue with this varnish is, it’s pretty pricey, and requires a lot of it for a proper coating of a surface.
b. Oil-based Polyurethane: Yes, there’s fume, bit flammable, sometimes extreme VOC in the mix even; but it’s a winning deal when you think about the thickness and longevity of the finish. Oil-based coating is very hard to remove; which is, sealing-wise, good news apparently.
Takes a bit time to dry, but few layers are enough to seal the deal. And the color, the glow, the luster the varnish brings along; it’s worth waiting for.
So make your pick and purchase the polyurethane. Don’t go for any shady stuff, the can containing the varnish should make clear what the polyurethane can and can’t do.
Gather Everything
To release the perfect layers of coating with ideal sheen, you should get down to application all prepared with all the necessary stuff.
- Polyurethane: Yes, the main star of the show, isn’t it? Bring the polyurethane can of your choice for all the layers.
- Sanding machine and a pole sander: To help even out the bumps, grains, and uneven coatings on all surfaces.
- Several types of sandpapers: 220 grit for the layers; 60-120 for other stuff.
- Vinegar: To prepare the hardwood floor for the coating.
- Vacuum cleaner: Will be needing for clean out the dust, fiber, lint and debris from sanding. Shop or industrial one preferably.
- Razor: To cut out big chunks of uneven layers.
- Tack cloth: For wiping the surface.
- Mineral spirit: Must use on the tack cloth while wiping.
- Your choice of applicator: Brush, roller, T-bar, trim pad, lambswool – whatever you choose, depends mostly on the varnish you’ll be applying.
All the tools assembled? The wait is over.
Start Application
Now comes the hard part, the application. It’s the hardest, because lots of precision and patience is required to execute everything properly. Which won’t be much of an issue with the steps below, so just follow as they go-
Step 1. Vacuum the spot
To have a smooth, beautiful finish, it’s essential that the surface is all cleared up. You don’t want to see any debris chunk or grain spoiling the experience of a gorgeous floor, do you? So, right after the flooring is done, clean the place thoroughly from edge to edge using a shop or industrial vacuum cleaner.
Step 2. Sand the surface and wipe after vacuuming again
Sand the area thoroughly with the help of a sanding machine to get rid of the bumps and scratches that can get in the way of sealing. Smooth out the whole place. Remember, don’t sand to the extent where the floor loses its volume; which can happen, if you’re not careful.
After sanding, vacuum the whole place again to remove the sanded bits. Wipe the area with vinegar for a final cleanup, which helps with a more firm sealing as well.
Step 3. Prepare the polyurethane
Due to sitting for too long in the can, lots of elements of the varnish can be found in separate states; so they have to be properly mixed before application. Don’t shake the can like a maniac to do so, it will just create more bubbles, and those bubbles won’t go away even when the coating is dried up.
Open the can, take a stick and stir the polyurethane for a good mix. Depending on the area, you might need several cans of polyurethane to cover the whole place.
In such cases, pour all the polyurethane in one big container, so that you don’t have to stop again and again to load varnish from another can. This interruption can always be responsible for a not-so-great-looking, uneven finish; not why we’re doing all these in the first place.
Step 4. Pick up and release efficiently
Take your applicator and load it up with enough varnish for one long stroke. Release the varnish sophisticatedly in even lines, apply following the trails of the floor grain. Where the stroke ends, cover it with an even lapping.
Look out for the spots you’ve missed, it’s necessary to cover every inch with equal amount of polyurethane. Bubbles after a stroke? Subtly overlap it with a thinner stroke. Your whole goal is to seal up the whole space with even, bubble-free, lint/fiber-free layer.
Step 5. Wait
You have to wait for several hours after applying the coating. The waiting period is tad bit longer with oil-based polyurethanes. Best to check out the instructions on the can for getting some idea about the exact waiting duration. Could be around 10-11 hours with water-based polyurethane.
Step 6. Sand the coating and wipe
When the seal is all dried, it’s time to smooth and even it out with a bit of sanding, using 220-grit sandpaper. Sanding gives you the opportunity to correct your coating mistakes. If some bump is too high or any area too uneven, cut out the chunks with a razor. Don’t go too hard with the sanding, or else the layer will come off. Use pole sander for better results.
Vacuum away all the sanded bits and debris. Take a tack cloth and soak it into mineral spirit to give the surface a thorough wipe before applying the next layer.
Step 7. Repeat
And now, apply few more layers of coating just as instructed above. One or two more layers will be enough for oil-based polyurethane; coat at least three times if it’s water-based.
FAQs about Roller for Polyurethane Finish
What is VOC?
Answer: VOC is the short form used for the term Volatile Organic Compounds. VOC is a common chemical element that can often be found in paints and varnishes. They are used for paint/varnish preservation, and helps with laying a coating on the surface. The compound holds the solid bits strongly, and contributes by forming thicker finish.
Why doesn’t water-based polyurethane finish last as long as oil-based finish?
Answer: Water-based polyurethane finish doesn’t last as long as oil-based finish due to its particular molecular structure with less solid bits and lower VOC level. Absence of much VOC in the structure leads to a weaker formation of finish, and so it gets easily wiped off with time. This is also what makes the finish so thin.
However, less VOC in the structure results in absence of toxic fume during application, so that’s a great benefit you’re always getting with water-based polyurethane.
Can roller makes up for a brush?
Answer: In certain aspects, it surely can. When you’re working on a wider surface that requires a lot of covering here and there, roller definitely helps with releasing more finish in less time. However, this sort of depends on the element the roller picks up; some elements don’t spread well in compact spots, where brushing closely is more effective than rolling.
What is sheen level?
Answer: Sheen level is the measurement standard used for referring to how much light is reflected from a surface. Varnish is often applied to bring a certain level of shininess to the surface, and the sheen level determines that shininess.
What does it mean to be solvent-proof?
Answer: As defined in chemistry, solvents are a type of compound that usually dissolves other materials they come across. While it’s a basic nature of many chemical compound, solvent is certainly not the element of a pleasant experience, when it comes to painting or coating; especially coating.
So manufacturers often try to construct coating varnish or paint of compounds that don’t react in such way, making the whole arrangement solvent-proof or solvent-resistant.
Final Words
All the things we ever do, all the efforts we ever make, everything is just for adding a little beauty to our daily life. Having a hardwood floor with a nice polyurethane finish is that beauty to many, and we hope our reviews for the best roller cover for smooth finish, and other discussions regarding the application will be quite effective for those people who’re still to achieve that.