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[Help] Tried to Seal My IKEA Karlby with Polycrylic—Now It’s a Mess. What Can I Do to Salvage This?
Hi everyone, I could really use some help. This is my first time doing a project like this, and I’m honestly devastated with how it’s going. I have an IKEA Karlby countertop I use as a desk, and I wanted to seal it to protect against moisture, food, and wear. I chose Minwax Polycrylic (water-based, matte) and followed instructions to do multiple thin coats, sanding in between. But after the third coat (which I applied a little thicker based on guidance I received), the whole surface started going downhill: • Pilling during sanding with 320 grit • Visible streaks and patchy areas that look like “jawbreaker” layers • Uneven cure—some areas glossy, some matte • When I tried to sand with 220 to fix it, large portions of the poly started peeling off in sheets • Now it looks and feels terrible—cloudy, uneven, and a complete mess • I’ve probably spent $150 on supplies and hours sanding and recoating. I feel like I’ve ruined it. I’ve been told that at this point, it might be best to strip the poly off completely and start over, possibly with Citristrip or something similar. I’m emotionally and physically drained from trying to salvage it. I just want to know: • Is Citristrip safe to use on Karlby’s veneer? • What’s the best way to strip and reset this surface? • If I do start over, how many coats should I realistically apply? • Is there a better method (wipe-on, cloth, sprayer)? • Any tips to avoid making this mistake again? Any help would mean the world. I genuinely tried my best but feel totally lost and defeated. Just want to make this right and move on with my life. Thank you. submitted by /u/catsandcappuccinos [link] [comments]
Hi everyone, I could really use some help.
This is my first time doing a project like this, and I’m honestly devastated with how it’s going. I have an IKEA Karlby countertop I use as a desk, and I wanted to seal it to protect against moisture, food, and wear. I chose Minwax Polycrylic (water-based, matte) and followed instructions to do multiple thin coats, sanding in between.
But after the third coat (which I applied a little thicker based on guidance I received), the whole surface started going downhill: • Pilling during sanding with 320 grit • Visible streaks and patchy areas that look like “jawbreaker” layers • Uneven cure—some areas glossy, some matte • When I tried to sand with 220 to fix it, large portions of the poly started peeling off in sheets • Now it looks and feels terrible—cloudy, uneven, and a complete mess • I’ve probably spent $150 on supplies and hours sanding and recoating. I feel like I’ve ruined it.
I’ve been told that at this point, it might be best to strip the poly off completely and start over, possibly with Citristrip or something similar.
I’m emotionally and physically drained from trying to salvage it. I just want to know: • Is Citristrip safe to use on Karlby’s veneer? • What’s the best way to strip and reset this surface? • If I do start over, how many coats should I realistically apply? • Is there a better method (wipe-on, cloth, sprayer)? • Any tips to avoid making this mistake again?
Any help would mean the world. I genuinely tried my best but feel totally lost and defeated. Just want to make this right and move on with my life.
Thank you.
[link] [comments]
