Finishing Question

[Tim McCarthy]

What can I use as a drying agent for polyurethane? I's cool and slightly damp in my shop these days and I'd like the finish to dry quickly.

Thanks

[Leo Graywacz]

Heat always helps. :rolleyes:

[Mark Bolton]

Heat always helps. :rolleyes:

You beat me to it Leo... I was going to reply FIRE... hhaha

Another alternative is to not use polyurethane in the first place. Of course all finishes will have temperature considerations but some are more favorable to shorter fire windows (read cheaper to heat your shop for an hour rather than 12 hours)

[Scott Holmes]

Once it is dry-to-the-touch; a fan blowing air across it will help. Temp will speed the process to a point; oxygen is the catalyst that cures the varnish. In ideal conditions poly (a type of varnish) will need about 30 days to cure. Dry to the touch is only the thinner evaporating then the curing starts.

The lower the temp and the less oxygen the longer the process will take to complete.

[Jim Becker]

Yup...warm air is "da best" when it comes to finishes curing. Nature of the beast...