How to Seal Coffee Tray - Part 3 of 6 - Apply Polyurethane to Tray Bottom

Fig.1 Varathane®

By Gary Boutin

Supplies and Tools:
Aluminum rods
Paper tarp
Paint can opener
Paint Stick
Lacquer paint brush 1-1/2 inch
Varathane premium polyurethane 

We received a Walnut coffee tray for Christmas. The tray was painted in a light color stain and sealer. We wanted the tray to last longer and sealed for many more year of service. 

This post shows the ten steps on how to apply two coat of polyurethane sealer to the tray. 

Step 1: Fig.1 shows the Varathane premium polyurethane sealer that will be used to coat the coffee tray.
Step 2: Fig.2 shows the paint stick is slowly mixing the polyurethane sealer. If you mix with hard strokes, bubble will be created in the sealer, than those bubbles will show up on the piece that is being sealed. Once the dry bubbles show up they will look like a flaw on the wood. Stir slowly and put in the brush into the container carefully and the sealer will act kindly toward your artwork.

Fig.2 Mixing sealer

Step 3: Fig.3 shows a lacquer paint brush that will be used to apply the sealer to the tray.

Fig.3 Lacquer paint brush

Step 4: Fig.4 shows the tray is placed on two aluminum rods, but wooden dowels work well too. This will keep the tray upright to allow for painting and drying so the bottom will not be damaged.

Fig.4 Aluminum rods

Step 5: Fig.5 shows the application of the sealer on the edges of the tray.

Fig.5 Sealing edges

Step 6: Fig.6 shows the sealer being applied to the bottom of the tray.

Fig.6 Sealing the back

Step 7: Fig.7 shows that the tray is almost finished with the first coat.

Fig.7 First coat almost finished

Step 8: Fig.8 shows that all the edges were sealed.

Fig.8 Edges sealed

Step 9: Fig.9 shows that the edges were the last part that needed to be done.

Fig.9 Painting edges

Step 10: Wait for the tray to finish drying completely. If the tray is tacky then the tray is not dry. Sometimes weather temperature and humidity can prevent the polyurethane from drying completely. Two more coats of sealer will be applied to the tray and each coat must be completely dried. The extra coats of sealer is what give the tray that real shine. 
 

How to Seal a Coffee Tray:

• Part 1 of 6 - Washing
• Part 2 of 6 - Oil Seal Coat 
• Part 3 of 6 - Apply Polyurethane to Tray Bottom
• Part 4 of 6 - Sealing The Top
• Part 5 of 6 - Cleaning The Tool
• Part 6 of 6 - The Finish Product

How to Replace the damaged Bottom with White Hardboard:

• Part 1 of 2 - Board Preparation 
• Part 2 of 2 - Inside Board Replaced

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